Time flies in football. It feels like just yesterday we were watching Lionel Messi hoisted onto his teammates' shoulders, clutching that gold trophy like it was a long-lost child. Honestly, though, it's been a bit. If you’re trying to remember exactly when the last world cup took place, it was the winter of 2022.
Specifically, the tournament kicked off on November 20, 2022, and wrapped up with that heart-stopping final on December 18, 2022.
It was weird, right? Normally, we’re used to the World Cup being a summer staple—barbecues, heatwaves, and beer gardens. But because it was held in Qatar, FIFA had to shift the whole thing to November and December to avoid the literal 110-degree desert heat. It changed the entire vibe of the European club season and felt sorta surreal watching the biggest game on earth just a week before Christmas.
The Finale: What Really Happened When the Last World Cup Ended
The final was, without exaggeration, probably the greatest game of football ever played. You’ve got Argentina leading 2-0 comfortably until the 80th minute. Then, Kylian Mbappé decides to turn into a superhero. He scores twice in about 90 seconds.
Suddenly, we're in extra time. Messi scores again. You think it's over. Nope. Mbappé scores another penalty to complete a hat trick.
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Basically, the match was a rollercoaster that ended in a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes. It all came down to a penalty shootout at the Lusail Stadium. Argentina’s keeper, Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, became a national hero with his mind games and saves, and Gonzalo Montiel buried the winning kick. Argentina won 4-2 on penalties, giving the country its third star and Messi his first (and likely last) World Cup title.
Why 2022 Was So Different from Previous Years
When the last world cup happened, it wasn't just the timing that was different. It was the first time an Arab nation hosted the event. It was also the most expensive World Cup ever, costing a reported $220 billion. For comparison, Russia 2018 cost about $11.6 billion. That's a massive jump.
Most of that money went into building entire cities from scratch. Lusail, where the final was held, was barely a dot on the map a decade ago. Now it’s a futuristic hub with a stadium that looks like a giant golden bowl.
The Controversy Nobody Can Ignore
We can’t talk about 2022 without mentioning the heavy stuff. From the moment Qatar won the bid back in 2010, there was a cloud of controversy. There were major reports from outlets like The Guardian and Amnesty International regarding the treatment of migrant workers.
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There were also big debates about LGBTQ+ rights and the sudden ban on alcohol sales at the stadiums just two days before the first match. It was a tournament of "firsts," but also a tournament of heavy scrutiny. Even the "OneLove" armbands became a massive political flashpoint before a single ball was even kicked.
Key Players Who Defined the Tournament
Obviously, Messi and Mbappé stole the headlines. Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player, becoming the first person to win it twice (he also won it in 2014 when Argentina lost the final). Mbappé took home the Golden Boot with eight goals.
But there were others who really made the 2022 edition special:
- Enzo Fernández: The kid came out of nowhere to anchor Argentina’s midfield and won Best Young Player.
- Sofyan Amrabat: Honestly, the engine of that Morocco team. He seemed to be everywhere at once.
- Dominik Livaković: The Croatian wall. His performance in penalty shootouts was the reason Croatia managed to snag third place.
- Jude Bellingham: Even though England went out in the quarters, he proved he was the future of their midfield at just 19.
The Legacy of the 2022 World Cup
Now that we're looking toward the 2026 World Cup—which will be spread across the US, Canada, and Mexico—the 2022 event feels like the end of an era. It was the last tournament with 32 teams. Starting in 2026, we’re moving to a massive 48-team format.
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The "Messi vs. Ronaldo" era also effectively ended in Qatar. While Messi reached the summit, Cristiano Ronaldo exited in tears after Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals. Morocco’s run was actually legendary; they became the first African and Arab nation to ever reach a World Cup semi-final. They didn't just participate; they beat Belgium, Spain, and Portugal along the way.
What’s Next for Football Fans?
If you're missing the action, the wait isn't as long as you'd think. We are already deep into the qualification cycles for 2026.
To stay ahead of the game, keep an eye on these specific milestones:
- Watch the Qualifiers: CONMEBOL (South America) and AFC (Asia) qualifiers are usually the most intense. Argentina is still the team to beat, but Brazil is always looming.
- The New Format: Get familiar with how a 48-team tournament works. There will be 12 groups of four teams, which means more games than ever—104 matches in total over 39 days.
- Host Cities: If you're planning to attend, start looking at the 16 host cities now. Logistics in 2026 will be a nightmare compared to Qatar because of the massive travel distances between Vancouver, Mexico City, and Miami.
The 2022 World Cup changed the sport forever, mostly by proving that a winter tournament could actually work, even if it messed with everyone's calendars. Whether it's remembered for the football or the politics, it definitely won't be forgotten.