World Cup 2022 Recap

For months leading up to the most-anticipated football tournament after the pandemic, there were 32 qualifying teams from all around the world competing in Qatar for the coveted FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy that took place on November 20. Today, we take a good look at the things you might have missed at Qatar 2022.

Rough start

Many viewers have suspected from the start that this tournament will not play out like a typical World Cup. It was inevitable that it would look and feel different, what with it being a pioneering effort in the Middle East and the first game being played in the dead of European winter.

Some have called Qatar the most contentious World Cup host ever due to widespread concerns about human rights abuses and allegations of corruption throughout the bidding process. Bringing attention to the deaths and working conditions of migrant laborers who made this tournament possible is unquestionably right, as is bringing attention to LGBTQ and women's rights.

By the numbers

The overall performance of Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was spectacular. The entire cost to host nation Qatar was almost $220 billion, making this World Cup the most expensive ever. Over 3.4 million people tuned in to watch 64 games featuring 32 teams, and a record-breaking 172 goals were scored.

Simply put, Qatar overcame insurmountable difficulties to host a World Cup that will go down in history as a triumph for the country and for the Arab world as a whole. Considering this is the first time the World Cup has ever been staged in an Arab country, this is a monumental achievement.

Those looking to learn from Qatar and the World Cup should not focus on the amount of money invested, but rather on leadership, commitment, ambition, and the fact that regulations do function when implemented.

The triumphs

After a penalty shootout victory over France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina won for a record third time. A golden trophy that had eluded Lionel Messi for so long is now in his possession. A few of the tournament's most memorable moments are listed here.

Best Player

The tournament's Golden Ball was awarded to Lionel Messi. With 7 goals and 3 assists, he was Argentina's best player in each of the team's seven games at the World Cup. He has also played in a record 26 World Cup games, surpassing Lothar Matthaus' previous mark of 24. The names of Messi and Pele and Maradona can now be added to the pantheon of soccer greats.

Best Goal

Richarlison, a striker for Brazil, used one touch to flip the ball into the air towards the penalty mark, then turned around and leaped off the ground to make a fantastic acrobatic kick further into the net. It capped a 2-0 group stage victory over Serbia and temporarily took the minds of Brazilians off of Neymar's injury.

Best Match

The two most successful ones included Argentina. Let's start with the team's quarterfinal match versus the Netherlands, which featured goals, gamesmanship, late drama, and a penalty shootout. Lionel Messi was seen interrupting his on-field postgame interview in order to yell at a Dutch player.

The flops

Belgium, the world's number two team, rolled in with a number of household names in their starting lineup. Just one goal was scored, and they were eliminated from the tournament after failing to advance out of their group. Coach Roberto Martinez resigned. Germany's elimination from the group stage for the second successive tournament is a close second.

The situation with Cristiano Ronaldo probably ranks among the lowest points of our collective viewing experience. The Portugal sensation could hardly have had a more disappointing campaign, especially given his high profile and the controversy he had generated with an explosive pre-tournament interview.