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Sports trivia is a minefield. You think you know the answer to who won world cup last, but then you realize there isn't just one "World Cup."
Actually, the world just went through a massive cycle of global tournaments. If you're talking about the big one—the FIFA Men’s World Cup—then the answer is Argentina. They took it home in 2022. But wait. If you’re a cricket fan, Australia is the reigning king from 2023. Rugby? That’s South Africa. Women’s soccer? Spain.
It’s a lot to keep track of.
The Chaos and Glory of Argentina's 2022 Win
Let’s be honest, the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar was probably the best game of soccer ever played. Period. Most people remember it as "The Messi Moment."
Argentina was cruising. They were up 2-0 against France. Lionel Messi scored a penalty. Ángel Di María finished a beautiful team move. It looked over. Then, Kylian Mbappé decided to become a legend in about ninety seconds. He scored twice late in the game to force extra time.
The drama didn't stop. Messi scored again. Mbappé scored again to complete a hat-trick.
It went to penalties. Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, became a national hero by saving Kingsley Coman’s shot and psyching out Aurélien Tchouaméni. Argentina won 4-2 on penalties. It was their third title, and honestly, it felt like the entire world (outside of France) wanted Messi to finally lift that trophy.
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Who Won World Cup Last in Other Sports?
Soccer isn't the only game in town. If you were watching the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, you saw something pretty heartbreaking for the home crowd.
India was invincible. They won every single game leading up to the final in Ahmedabad. Over 100,000 people showed up at the Narendra Modi Stadium expecting a coronation. But Pat Cummins and his Australian side had other plans. They bowled like demons, restricted India to 240, and then Travis Head played the innings of his life.
Head’s 137 runs silenced the massive crowd. Australia won by six wickets. It was their sixth title. Six! They are basically the final boss of cricket.
The Springbok Reign in Rugby
Then there’s the 2023 Rugby World Cup. South Africa is the team that just refuses to lose. They won the final 12-11 against New Zealand’s All Blacks.
One point.
That was the theme for the Springboks. They won their quarter-final by one point. They won their semi-final by one point. Then they did it again in the final. Handré Pollard kicked four penalties, and that was enough. It was a brutal, rain-soaked battle in Paris where New Zealand played most of the game with 14 men after captain Sam Cane got a red card. South Africa now has four titles, more than anyone else.
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Spain’s Historic First in Women’s Soccer
In the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, we saw a brand new champion. Spain.
They weren't even the favorites. The team was dealing with massive internal drama and player protests against their coach before the tournament started. Somehow, they blocked out the noise. They faced England in the final in Sydney and won 1-0. Olga Carmona scored the only goal with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Even though Jenni Hermoso missed a penalty later in the game, the Spanish defense held firm. It was a massive moment for the women's game, especially seeing a first-time winner rise to the top.
Why We Get These Details Mixed Up
Human memory is weird. We tend to prioritize the sport we follow most closely, so "the World Cup" means different things depending on where you live.
In the US, you might be thinking about the World Baseball Classic (Japan won that in 2023, by the way, with Ohtani striking out Trout in a movie-script ending). In Europe or South America, it’s almost always soccer. In South Asia, it’s cricket.
The technicality of "who won world cup last" usually refers to the most recent major global event. Since the Cricket and Rugby World Cups both happened in late 2023, they are technically the "most recent" major men's trophies. But the FIFA World Cup is the one that stops the planet.
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What’s Coming Up Next?
If you're already looking forward, the calendar is getting crowded.
The next FIFA Men’s World Cup is in 2026. It's being hosted across North America—USA, Canada, and Mexico. It’s going to be the biggest ever, with 48 teams instead of 32.
The 2027 Women's World Cup is heading to Brazil.
In cricket, the T20 World Cup happens more frequently (India recently won the 2024 edition), but the next "big" 50-over World Cup isn't until 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Actionable Steps for the Fan
If you want to keep your sports facts straight, don't just rely on your social media feed. Check the official governing body sites like FIFA.com or ICC-cricket.com.
To stay ahead of the curve for 2026, start looking at the qualification standings now. South American teams are already deep into their "Eliminatorias," and the big European nations will start their path soon. If you're planning on going to the 2026 World Cup, you basically need to start saving money and checking for ticket lottery alerts now. It’s going to be a logistical circus.
Stay updated on the rosters. A lot of the legends who won world cup last, like Messi or Angel Di Maria, might not be there for the next one. New stars like Jude Bellingham or Jamal Musiala are the ones who will probably be lifting the next trophy.