If you were anywhere near a screen in December 2022, you probably saw a man in a translucent black robe hoisting a gold trophy while fireworks turned the Qatari sky into a kaleidoscope. That was Lionel Messi. And the answer to who won the FIFA World Cup most recently is Argentina.
But calling it a "win" feels like an understatement. It was a 120-minute panic attack followed by a shootout. Honestly, if you’d written the script for that final, a Hollywood producer would’ve rejected it for being too unrealistic.
Argentina ended a 36-year drought. They did it in the most chaotic way possible.
The Night in Lusail That Changed Everything
The 2022 final at Lusail Stadium wasn't just a soccer game. It was a coronation. Argentina went up 2-0. They looked comfortable. Messi scored a penalty, Angel Di Maria finished a team goal that belonged in a museum, and France looked like they had collective food poisoning for the first 70 minutes. They didn't even have a shot. Not one.
Then, Kylian Mbappé decided to happen.
In the span of about 97 seconds, the French superstar scored twice. Just like that, 2-2. The stadium went from a celebration to a morgue for the Argentines.
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Extra time was even more absurd. Messi scored again in the 108th minute. You thought it was over, right? Nope. Mbappé converted another penalty to complete his hat trick. 3-3. When the whistle blew, it went to penalties, where Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, became a national hero by saving Kingsley Coman's effort and watching Aurélien Tchouaméni pull his wide.
Gonzalo Montiel tucked away the final penalty. Game over. Argentina had their third star.
Who Won the FIFA World Cup: The All-Time Champions List
While Argentina is the reigning king, they aren't the most successful team in history. That honor still belongs to the Brazilians.
Soccer history is basically a private club where only eight countries have ever been allowed to hold the key. Here is how the trophy cabinet looks across the decades:
- Brazil (5 Titles): 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002. They own this tournament, even if they haven't won it in over 20 years.
- Germany (4 Titles): 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014. Known for ruthless efficiency, though their last two outings were... well, let's just say they'd rather forget them.
- Italy (4 Titles): 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006. They have a weird habit of either winning the whole thing or failing to qualify entirely.
- Argentina (3 Titles): 1978, 1986, 2022. The years of Mario Kempes, Diego Maradona, and now Messi.
- France (2 Titles): 1998, 2018. They were inches away from a third in 2022.
- Uruguay (2 Titles): 1930, 1950. The original powerhouses.
- England (1 Title): 1966. They've been "bringing it home" for nearly 60 years. Still waiting.
- Spain (1 Title): 2010. The era of tiki-taka dominance.
Why Argentina's Win Felt Different
Most people talk about Messi when they discuss who won the FIFA World Cup in 2022. It makes sense. He's the greatest to ever do it, and the World Cup was the only thing missing from his shelf.
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But look closer at the squad. You had Julian Alvarez, a kid who used to ask Messi for photos, scoring crucial goals. You had Enzo Fernandez, who wasn't even a starter when the tournament began, winning Young Player of the Tournament.
The narrative was perfect. Argentina actually lost their first game to Saudi Arabia. It was one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Everyone thought they were done. Instead, they treated every following game like a final. That grit is why they're the ones with the gold medals.
The Mbappé Factor
We have to talk about the guy who lost. Kylian Mbappé.
He became only the second man to score a hat trick in a World Cup final (the first was Sir Geoff Hurst in 1966). He won the Golden Boot with eight goals. France almost became the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back titles.
They failed, but barely. It shows you how thin the margins are at this level. One save by Dibu Martínez in the 123rd minute against Randal Kolo Muani—a save that looked physically impossible—is the only reason we aren't talking about a French dynasty right now.
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What’s Next for the World Champions?
The soccer world moves fast. Now that we know who won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, all eyes are on 2026.
It’s going to be huge. Literally.
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For the first time, we’re jumping from 32 teams to 48. That means more games, more travel, and probably a lot more surprises.
Will Messi be there? He’ll be 39. He’s playing in Miami now, so he’s already in the neighborhood. Argentina is still ranked #1 in the world, but the competition is closing in.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow the journey of the current champions or prepare for the next cycle, here is what you should do:
- Watch the 2026 Qualifiers: The road to the next trophy has already started. In South America (CONMEBOL), the qualifiers are a bloodbath. Argentina is currently fighting to secure their spot to defend the title.
- Track the Youth: Keep an eye on players like Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina) or Lamine Yamal (Spain). The next winner of the World Cup usually has a breakout star that nobody saw coming two years prior.
- Check the FIFA Rankings: While they aren't perfect, the FIFA Men's World Ranking gives you a good idea of who is in form. Currently, Argentina, France, and England are hovering at the top.
- Mark June 2026: The opening match in Mexico City at the iconic Estadio Azteca will be the start of a massive 48-team marathon.
The 2022 final proved that soccer is the most unpredictable sport on earth. Argentina won, Messi got his moment, and the bar for "the greatest game ever" was set impossibly high. Now, we wait to see who takes the crown in North America.