Qatar 2022, the World Cup that moved to winter and ended with Messi
The 2022 World Cup was the first played in November and December, shifted to dodge Qatar's summer heat and forcing Europe's leagues to pause mid-season. It ended with perhaps the most dramatic final ever: Argentina and France drew 3–3 after extra time, Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick, and Lionel Messi finally lifted the trophy after penalties.
This 22nd World Cup, held from 20 November to 18 December 2022, was the first in the Middle East and the last with 32 teams before the jump to 48 in 2026. It was also the most compact since the first tournament in 1930. With eight stadiums in five cities, 24 of the 32 teams were based within 10 kilometres of one another, and no side needed to fly to a match. Stadiums were fitted with cooling systems designed to cut temperatures inside by up to 20 degrees Celsius, and Stadium 974 became the first temporary venue ever planned for a World Cup.
It brought new rules too. Teams could make five substitutions in normal time, plus one in extra time, and, for the first time, a separate concussion substitute. Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, hurt against England, became the first player replaced under that rule.
On the pitch, Morocco became the first African team to reach a semi-final, losing 2–0 to France. The tournament produced 172 goals, a record for the 32-team format, and every team scored at least once. In the final Mbappé became the first man since Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a final hat-trick, and took the Golden Boot with eight goals.
Argentina won 4–2 on penalties for their third title and their first since 1986, the first by a non-European nation since 2002. Messi won his second Golden Ball, and many commentators saw the victory as sealing his case as the greatest player ever. The choice of Qatar as host had drawn fierce criticism throughout, including allegations of bribery.
Source: 2022 FIFA World Cup
