đŸ•·ïž Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:
Response:
Calculated Shard: 62 (from laksa189)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:
Response:

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:
Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:
Response:

5. Seen Status Check

â„č Skipped - page is already crawled

📄
INDEXABLE
✅
CRAWLED
8 days ago
đŸ€–
ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

FilterStatusConditionDetails
HTTP statusPASSdownload_http_code = 200HTTP 200
Age cutoffPASSdownload_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH0.3 months ago
History dropPASSisNull(history_drop_reason)No drop reason
Spam/banPASSfh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0ml_spam_score=0
CanonicalPASSmeta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsedNot set

Page Details

PropertyValue
URLhttps://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup
Last Crawled2026-04-16 00:37:20 (8 days ago)
First Indexed2023-03-30 05:59:59 (3 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Content
Meta Title2022 FIFA World Cup | Qatar, Controversy, Stadiums, Winner, & Final | Britannica
Meta DescriptionThe 2022 FIFA World Cup was an international football (soccer) tournament that took place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, 2022. Argentina defeated France in the final match to win its third World Cup title.
Meta Canonicalnull
Boilerpipe Text
Top Questions What is the FIFA World Cup? Where was the 2022 FIFA World Cup held? Which teams competed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final? What was unique about the 2022 FIFA World Cup compared to previous tournaments? Who were some standout players in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? How did the outcome of the 2022 FIFA World Cup affect the winning team’s history? 2022 FIFA World Cup , international football (soccer) tournament that took place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18, 2022, and was contested by the men’s national teams of 32 countries. Argentina won its third World Cup victory in the tournament after defeating France in the final match. The 2022 World Cup was the first to take place in the Middle East after the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) awarded Qatar the right to host in 2010. Qatar’s national team was also the only one new to the tournament, although Canada ’s team made its first appearance in nearly four decades and Wales ’ team qualified for the first time since 1958. Only eight countries had won any of the 21 previous World Cup tournaments, and several of them, including Argentina, Brazil , England , and France, entered the tournament among the favourites to win again. Preparation for the event proved to be a long and controversial road, however, from the launch of Qatar’s bid to host in 2009 to its final realization in 2022. Pitching the pitches: Qatar’s bid to host and its air-conditioned stadiums When Qatar launched its bid in 2009 to host the World Cup, it was in an overall strong position to make its case. The petroleum wealth of the Persian Gulf region and its rapid, even luxurious, bloom left no doubt that Qatar (a leading producer of natural gas ) could front the enormous expense of hosting the event. A successful presentation of the 2006 Asian Games in Doha , its capital, further indicated that Qatar was up to the challenge. Boosting Qatar’s appeal at the time was the image of the tiny country as a microcosm of global cooperation. It enjoyed cordial and trusted relationships that bridged both regional and global divides, in many cases serving as an intermediary between bitter rivals. The international success of its premier news broadcaster, Al Jazeera , was perhaps the most visible example of Qatar’s global reach. Qatar later suffered a rift with some of its neighbours in the mid-2010s. Both the rift itself and Qatar’s ability to weather years of blockade were the result of its strong relations with a broad and disparate set of political actors. Bolstering Qatar’s bid further was the momentum of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , which galvanized audiences as the first World Cup hosted in an African country. Much of the Arab world hoped that FIFA would follow suit by making Qatar the first Arab country to host the tournament. Their hopes, along with Qatar’s, were realized in December 2010, when Qatar was announced the winner of the bid for the 2022 event. Qatar had earlier sought the rights to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but it was constrained by its proposal to begin the Olympics in October to avoid Qatar’s forbidding summer heat. So, as part of its World Cup bid, Qatar pitched carbon-neutral air-conditioned stadiums that would revolutionize cooling system technology. The proposal would allow Qatar to host the tournament in the summer while spurring heavy investment in green innovation and infrastructure . Concerns about the country’s extreme heat mounted in the years ahead, however, and in 2015 FIFA made the historic decision to delay the tournament to November and December. The move to November–December introduced a new, if not disruptive, complexity to the tournament. Falling in the middle of the annual football (soccer) season, it put pressure on players, leagues, federations, and broadcasters to balance regular sporting events with the World Cup. A number of potentially game-changing absences, including those of Diogo Jota ( Portugal ), N’Golo KantĂ© ( France ), and Timo Werner ( Germany ), were due to injuries sustained in matches that preceded the World Cup. Smart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere. SUBSCRIBE Although its claims of offsetting emissions were heavily criticized, Qatar carried out its promise to build seven open-air stadiums with energy-efficient cooling systems. In those cooling systems, a cascade of air, cooled using solar power energy, sinks from the top of each stadium down to the field, with the aim of cooling the thin layer of air that encompasses spectators and the players rather than the entire air volume of the stadium. The stadiums’ architectural designs, meanwhile, were intended to put Qatari culture and history on display: Al Bayt Stadium (Al-Khawr, Qatar) was shaped as a Bedouin tent; Lusail Stadium (north of Doha) reflects traditional Arabian craftsmanship, particularly bowls and lanterns; and Al Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah, Qatar) imitates the dhow , the sailing vessel iconic of Persian Gulf seafarers. Khalifa International Stadium, built in Doha in 1976, was also repurposed for the World Cup. Scandals, kafala system, and human rights concerns 2015 FIFA corruption scandal: Sepp Blatter and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke Sepp Blatter (left), president (1998–2015) of the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke, FIFA secretary-general. They were among the FIFA officials who were banned from activity related to association football (soccer) because of massive ethics violations. The doubts that led to the tournament’s move to November–December were spurred by accusations of corruption, bribery, abuse, and sportswashing . Allegations of vote-selling among FIFA officials, already rampant before the vote took place in 2010, marred the selection of Qatar as host for the 2022 World Cup. Investigations into the matter drew attention to corruption in FIFA , contributing to the downfall of its president Sepp Blatter in 2015. It remained unclear whether Qatar engaged in practices outside the norm in FIFA’s opaque selection process, but several reports and investigations implicated representatives involved in Qatar’s bid of bribing FIFA officials. The ordeal called into question the integrity of the whole of the Qatari proposal, including whether it could carry out its promise for a safe summertime tournament. Preparations for the World Cup also brought attention to the exploitative aspects of Qatar’s labour market. Its demand for cheap labour in the 20th century, in numbers that vastly exceeded the number of Qataris, produced a system of sponsorship known as the kafala system ( niáș“ām al-kafālah , “system of sponsorship”). Under this system, the state gave Qatari citizens or employers responsibility for the large-scale recruitment and management of migrant workers. The conditions of sponsorship, along with poor protections from the state, gave sponsors ( kufalāʟ , singular kafÄ«l ) a significant amount of control over migrants’ wages and ability to seek new employment and exit the country. Workers were commonly exploited, abused, and forced to live or work in poor conditions. Facing intense international scrutiny, Qatar introduced new regulations to the kafala system in 2017. Further reforms in 2020, including abolishing requirements for employers’ permission to change jobs or leave the country, aimed at dismantling the system altogether. Despite Qatar’s active engagement with the international community to improve worker conditions and autonomy , abuses persisted beyond 2020, and observers called for continued engagement and enforcement. The expectation of a large influx of tourists for the World Cup also stoked debate in the West about other matters of Qatar’s domestic policy. Questions arose in particular on whether the norms of Qatar’s predominantly conservative society, which subscribes to the relatively strict WahhābÄ« interpretation of Islam , could accommodate the comforts of Western visitors. Qatar agreed to allow the consumption of alcohol in designated areas, for example, but less clear in the run up to the World Cup was how Qatari officials might react to public displays of affection, especially between members of the same sex or gender. Aside from concerns over the treatment of migrant workers, many people also raised concerns over the treatment of women and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Qatar. The tournament: Protests, upsets, and winners Neymar at the 2022 World Cup Neymar (right) of Brazil battling Dejan Lovren of Croatia during a quarterfinal match at the 2022 World Cup, Al Rayyan, Qatar. The tournament took off with a bang. Qatar stoked controversy with a last-minute decision to ban the sale of beer at its stadiums. Some observers claimed that the outcry against the ban, which several European countries also enforce at their stadiums, was one instance where Qatar appeared to be held to a double standard . Meanwhile, after several teams announced plans for their captains to wear armbands that displayed support for LGBTQ+ rights, FIFA threatened those players with sanctions for violating FIFA rules about “political, religious and personal slogans.” The armbands ultimately did not make it onto the field, but the German national team symbolically covered their mouths in a photograph taken before their opening match. Iran ’s national team, in support of ongoing protests in the country, refused to sing the national anthem in their own opening match, while many of the team’s supporters held up flags with the protest slogan “ Woman, Life, Freedom .” Quick Facts Date: November 20, 2022 - December 18, 2022 The course of the tournament took several unexpected turns. Saudi Arabia , the second lowest-ranking team upon entering the tournament, defeated powerhouse Argentina in the first major upset of the Group Stage, although the outcome of the Group Stage was ultimately unaffected. Croatia outperformed expectations, as it had done in 2018, and came in third in the tournament. Morocco proved to be the dark horse; the stellar performance of its defense conceded the fewest goals of any team until it was knocked out in the semifinals by France . In a stunning high-scoring final match—in which Kylian MbappĂ© became the first player since 1966 to score three goals in a final—Argentina beat out France in the World Cup’s third shoot-out victory in its history. The win for Argentina was expected to be the final World Cup match for Lionel Messi , who became the first player in history to compete in 26 World Cup matches.
Markdown
[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) Login https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm\_source=premium\&utm\_medium=nav-login-box\&utm\_campaign=evergreen [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue) [Ask the Chatbot](https://www.britannica.com/chatbot) [Games & Quizzes](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/browse) [History & Society](https://www.britannica.com/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https://www.britannica.com/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https://www.britannica.com/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https://www.britannica.com/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https://www.britannica.com/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https://www.britannica.com/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https://www.britannica.com/procon) [Money](https://www.britannica.com/money) [Videos](https://www.britannica.com/videos) [2022 FIFA World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup) - [Introduction](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup) - [Pitching the pitches: Qatar’s bid to host and its air-conditioned stadiums](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup#ref355947) - [Scandals, kafala system, and human rights concerns](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup#ref355948) - [The tournament: Protests, upsets, and winners](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup#ref355949) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/2022-FIFA-World-Cup) [Images](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup/images-videos) [![Argentina celebrating its 2022 World Cup victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-004-E9740728/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg) [![Men's World Cup titles by country](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/237486-049-E6B3C081/mens-world-cup-titles-1930-2022-by-country.jpg)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup) [![Lusail Stadium: 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/239253-004-5AF44D72/stadium-prior-to-the-FIFA-World-Cup-Qatar-2022-Lusail-City-Qatar.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/239253-050-B8F1AB63/stadium-prior-to-the-FIFA-World-Cup-Qatar-2022-Lusail-City-Qatar.jpg) [![2010 World Cup in South Africa: Spain's players celebrate victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/146734-004-972C4B13/Members-Spain-victory-association-football-team-Netherlands-July-11-2010.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/146734-050-72C28395/Members-Spain-victory-association-football-team-Netherlands-July-11-2010.jpg) [![Al Janoub Stadium: 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/237552-004-E1C0900E/Al-Janoub-Stadium-Al-Wakrah-Qatar.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/237552-050-DF58697E/Al-Janoub-Stadium-Al-Wakrah-Qatar.jpg) [![2015 FIFA corruption scandal: Sepp Blatter and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/192637-004-00E1BFC4/president-officials-Jerome-Valcke-FIFA-Sepp-Blatter.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/192637-050-2A26A394/president-officials-Jerome-Valcke-FIFA-Sepp-Blatter.jpg) [![Neymar at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/238295-004-9B449FBF/Neymar-Brazil-Dejan-Lovren-Croatia-FIFA-World-Cup-action-soccer-December-9-2022.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/238295-050-2DDEF573/Neymar-Brazil-Dejan-Lovren-Croatia-FIFA-World-Cup-action-soccer-December-9-2022.jpg) [![Lionel Messi](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-004-567C1DB1/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg) [![Kylian MbappĂ© at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/39/239139-004-03E73DBA/French-soccer-player-Kylian-Mbappe-FIFA-World-Cup-December-10-2022.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/39/239139-050-49A950D1/French-soccer-player-Kylian-Mbappe-FIFA-World-Cup-December-10-2022.jpg) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Sports & Recreation](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Sports-Recreation) [Soccer](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Soccer) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Argentina celebrating its 2022 World Cup victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg) [Argentina celebrating its 2022 World Cup victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg) Team captain Lionel Messi (holding trophy) and other members of Argentina's national team after winning the 2022 Men's World Cup. (more) # 2022 FIFA World Cup football championship Homework Help Also known as: 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, 2022 World Cup Written by [Adam Zeidan Adam Zeidan is an Assistant Managing Editor, having joined *EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica* in 2018.](https://www.britannica.com/editor/Adam-Zeidan/12409087) Adam Zeidan Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 2, 2026 ‱[History](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions - What is the FIFA World Cup? - Where was the 2022 FIFA World Cup held? - Which teams competed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final? - What was unique about the 2022 FIFA World Cup compared to previous tournaments? - Who were some standout players in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? - How did the outcome of the 2022 FIFA World Cup affect the winning team’s history? Show more Show less **2022 FIFA World Cup**, international [football](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer) (soccer) tournament that took place in [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) from November 20 to December 18, 2022, and was contested by the men’s national teams of 32 countries. [Argentina](https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina) won its third [World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football) victory in the tournament after defeating [France](https://www.britannica.com/place/France) in the final match. The 2022 World Cup was the first to take place in the [Middle East](https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East) after the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) awarded Qatar the right to host in 2010. Qatar’s national team was also the only one new to the tournament, although [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada)’s team made its first appearance in nearly four decades and [Wales](https://www.britannica.com/place/Wales)’ team qualified for the first time since 1958. Only eight countries had won any of the 21 previous World Cup tournaments, and several of them, including Argentina, [Brazil](https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil), [England](https://www.britannica.com/place/England), and France, entered the tournament among the favourites to win again. Preparation for the event proved to be a long and controversial road, however, from the launch of Qatar’s bid to host in 2009 to its final realization in 2022. ## Pitching the pitches: Qatar’s bid to host and its air-conditioned stadiums [![Lusail Stadium: 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/239253-050-B8F1AB63/stadium-prior-to-the-FIFA-World-Cup-Qatar-2022-Lusail-City-Qatar.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/239253-050-B8F1AB63/stadium-prior-to-the-FIFA-World-Cup-Qatar-2022-Lusail-City-Qatar.jpg) [Lusail Stadium: 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar](https://cdn.britannica.com/53/239253-050-B8F1AB63/stadium-prior-to-the-FIFA-World-Cup-Qatar-2022-Lusail-City-Qatar.jpg)A general view outside Lusail Stadium prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and Croatia in Lusail City, Qatar, December 13, 2022. (more) When [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) launched its bid in 2009 to host the World Cup, it was in an overall strong position to make its case. The petroleum wealth of the [Persian Gulf](https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf) region and its rapid, even luxurious, bloom left no doubt that Qatar (a leading producer of [natural gas](https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-gas)) could front the enormous expense of hosting the event. A successful presentation of the 2006 [Asian Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Asian-Games) in [Doha](https://www.britannica.com/place/Doha), its capital, further indicated that Qatar was up to the challenge. Boosting Qatar’s appeal at the time was the image of the tiny country as a microcosm of global cooperation. It enjoyed [cordial and trusted relationships](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar/History#ref341564) that bridged both regional and global divides, in many cases serving as an intermediary between bitter rivals. The international success of its premier news broadcaster, [Al Jazeera](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Al-Jazeera), was perhaps the most visible example of Qatar’s global reach. Qatar later [suffered a rift](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar/International-scrutiny-and-rift-with-Arab-allies#ref341565) with some of its neighbours in the mid-2010s. Both the rift itself and Qatar’s ability to weather years of blockade were the result of its strong relations with a broad and [disparate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disparate) set of political actors. [![2010 World Cup in South Africa: Spain's players celebrate victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/146734-050-72C28395/Members-Spain-victory-association-football-team-Netherlands-July-11-2010.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/146734-050-72C28395/Members-Spain-victory-association-football-team-Netherlands-July-11-2010.jpg) [2010 World Cup in South Africa: Spain's players celebrate victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/146734-050-72C28395/Members-Spain-victory-association-football-team-Netherlands-July-11-2010.jpg)Members of Spain's national soccer (association football) team celebrating their victory in the FIFA World Cup final, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 11, 2010. (more) [Bolstering](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bolstering) Qatar’s bid further was the momentum of the 2010 World Cup in [South Africa](https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa), which [galvanized](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galvanized) audiences as the first World Cup hosted in an African country. Much of the [Arab](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arab) world hoped that FIFA would follow suit by making Qatar the first Arab country to host the tournament. Their hopes, along with Qatar’s, were realized in December 2010, when Qatar was announced the winner of the bid for the 2022 event. Qatar had earlier sought the rights to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but it was constrained by its proposal to begin the [Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games) in October to avoid Qatar’s forbidding summer heat. So, as part of its World Cup bid, Qatar pitched carbon-neutral air-conditioned stadiums that would revolutionize [cooling system](https://www.britannica.com/technology/cooling-system) technology. The proposal would allow Qatar to host the tournament in the summer while spurring heavy investment in green [innovation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovation) and [infrastructure](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infrastructure). Concerns about the country’s extreme heat mounted in the years ahead, however, and in 2015 FIFA made the historic decision to delay the tournament to November and December. The move to November–December introduced a new, if not disruptive, complexity to the tournament. Falling in the middle of the annual [football](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer) (soccer) season, it put pressure on players, leagues, federations, and broadcasters to balance regular sporting events with the World Cup. A number of potentially game-changing absences, including those of Diogo Jota ([Portugal](https://www.britannica.com/place/Portugal)), N’Golo KantĂ© ([France](https://www.britannica.com/place/France)), and Timo Werner ([Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany)), were due to injuries sustained in matches that preceded the World Cup. Explore Britannica Premium\! Smart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=smart-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) [![Al Janoub Stadium: 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/237552-050-DF58697E/Al-Janoub-Stadium-Al-Wakrah-Qatar.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/237552-050-DF58697E/Al-Janoub-Stadium-Al-Wakrah-Qatar.jpg) [Al Janoub Stadium: 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/237552-050-DF58697E/Al-Janoub-Stadium-Al-Wakrah-Qatar.jpg) Al Janoub Stadium, designed by Zaha Hadid for the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup, in Al-Wakrah, Qatar, 2019. (more) Although its claims of [offsetting](https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-offset) emissions were heavily criticized, Qatar carried out its promise to build seven open-air stadiums with energy-efficient cooling systems. In those cooling systems, a cascade of air, cooled using [solar power](https://www.britannica.com/technology/solar-power) energy, sinks from the top of each stadium down to the field, with the aim of cooling the thin layer of air that [encompasses](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompasses) spectators and the players rather than the entire air volume of the stadium. The stadiums’ architectural designs, meanwhile, were intended to put Qatari [culture](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture) and history on display: Al Bayt Stadium (Al-Khawr, Qatar) was shaped as a [Bedouin](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bedouin) tent; Lusail Stadium (north of Doha) reflects traditional Arabian craftsmanship, particularly bowls and lanterns; and Al Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah, Qatar) imitates the [dhow](https://www.britannica.com/technology/dhow), the sailing vessel [iconic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iconic) of [Persian Gulf](https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf) seafarers. Khalifa International Stadium, built in Doha in 1976, was also repurposed for the World Cup. ## Scandals, kafala system, and human rights concerns [![2015 FIFA corruption scandal: Sepp Blatter and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/192637-050-2A26A394/president-officials-Jerome-Valcke-FIFA-Sepp-Blatter.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/192637-050-2A26A394/president-officials-Jerome-Valcke-FIFA-Sepp-Blatter.jpg) [2015 FIFA corruption scandal: Sepp Blatter and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/192637-050-2A26A394/president-officials-Jerome-Valcke-FIFA-Sepp-Blatter.jpg)Sepp Blatter (left), president (1998–2015) of the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke, FIFA secretary-general. They were among the FIFA officials who were banned from activity related to association football (soccer) because of massive ethics violations. (more) The doubts that led to the tournament’s move to November–December were spurred by accusations of corruption, bribery, abuse, and [sportswashing](https://www.britannica.com/money/sportwashing). Allegations of vote-selling among FIFA officials, already rampant before the vote took place in 2010, marred the selection of [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) as host for the 2022 World Cup. Investigations into the matter drew attention to [corruption in FIFA](https://www.britannica.com/event/2015-FIFA-corruption-scandal), contributing to the downfall of its president [Sepp Blatter](https://www.britannica.com/money/Sepp-Blatter) in 2015. It remained unclear whether Qatar engaged in practices outside the norm in FIFA’s [opaque](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque) selection process, but several reports and investigations implicated representatives involved in Qatar’s bid of bribing FIFA officials. The ordeal called into question the [integrity](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity) of the whole of the Qatari proposal, including whether it could carry out its promise for a safe summertime tournament. Preparations for the World Cup also brought attention to the exploitative aspects of Qatar’s labour market. Its demand for cheap labour in the 20th century, in numbers that vastly exceeded the number of Qataris, produced a system of sponsorship known as the kafala system (*niáș“ām al-kafālah*, “system of sponsorship”). Under this system, the state gave Qatari citizens or employers responsibility for the large-scale recruitment and management of migrant workers. The conditions of sponsorship, along with poor protections from the state, gave sponsors (*kufalāʟ*, singular *kafÄ«l*) a significant amount of control over migrants’ wages and ability to seek new employment and exit the country. Workers were commonly exploited, abused, and forced to live or work in poor conditions. Facing intense international scrutiny, Qatar introduced new regulations to the kafala system in 2017. Further reforms in 2020, including abolishing requirements for employers’ permission to change jobs or leave the country, aimed at dismantling the system altogether. Despite Qatar’s active engagement with the international [community](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community) to improve worker conditions and [autonomy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy), abuses persisted beyond 2020, and observers called for continued engagement and enforcement. The expectation of a large influx of tourists for the World Cup also stoked debate in the West about other matters of Qatar’s domestic policy. Questions arose in particular on whether the norms of Qatar’s predominantly [conservative](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservative) society, which subscribes to the relatively strict [WahhābÄ«](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wahhabi) interpretation of [Islam](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam), could accommodate the comforts of Western visitors. Qatar agreed to allow the [consumption](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption) of alcohol in designated areas, for example, but less clear in the run up to the World Cup was how Qatari officials might react to public displays of affection, especially between members of the same sex or gender. Aside from concerns over the treatment of migrant workers, many people also raised concerns over the treatment of women and members of the [LGBTQ+](https://www.britannica.com/topic/LGTBQ-community) community in Qatar. ## The tournament: Protests, upsets, and winners [![Neymar at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/238295-050-2DDEF573/Neymar-Brazil-Dejan-Lovren-Croatia-FIFA-World-Cup-action-soccer-December-9-2022.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/238295-050-2DDEF573/Neymar-Brazil-Dejan-Lovren-Croatia-FIFA-World-Cup-action-soccer-December-9-2022.jpg) [Neymar at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/238295-050-2DDEF573/Neymar-Brazil-Dejan-Lovren-Croatia-FIFA-World-Cup-action-soccer-December-9-2022.jpg)Neymar (right) of Brazil battling Dejan Lovren of Croatia during a quarterfinal match at the 2022 World Cup, Al Rayyan, Qatar. (more) The tournament took off with a bang. Qatar stoked controversy with a last-minute decision to ban the sale of [beer](https://www.britannica.com/topic/beer) at its stadiums. Some observers claimed that the outcry against the ban, which several European countries also [enforce](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/enforce) at their stadiums, was one instance where Qatar appeared to be held to a [double standard](https://www.britannica.com/money/bimetallism). Meanwhile, after several teams announced plans for their captains to wear armbands that displayed support for LGBTQ+ rights, FIFA threatened those players with sanctions for violating FIFA rules about “political, religious and personal slogans.” The armbands ultimately did not make it onto the field, but the [German](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany) national team symbolically covered their mouths in a photograph taken before their opening match. [Iran](https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran)’s national team, in support of ongoing protests in the country, refused to sing the [national anthem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/national-anthem) in their own opening match, while many of the team’s supporters held up flags with the protest slogan “[Woman, Life, Freedom](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Woman-Life-Freedom).” Quick Facts Date: November 20, 2022 - December 18, 2022 *(Show more)* Location: [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) *(Show more)* [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/2022-FIFA-World-Cup) [![Lionel Messi](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg?w=300)1 of 2](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg) [Lionel Messi](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg)Lionel Messi playing for the Argentina national team during the World Cup in Qatar, December 2022. (more) [![Kylian MbappĂ© at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/39/239139-050-49A950D1/French-soccer-player-Kylian-Mbappe-FIFA-World-Cup-December-10-2022.jpg?w=300)2 of 2](https://cdn.britannica.com/39/239139-050-49A950D1/French-soccer-player-Kylian-Mbappe-FIFA-World-Cup-December-10-2022.jpg) [Kylian MbappĂ© at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/39/239139-050-49A950D1/French-soccer-player-Kylian-Mbappe-FIFA-World-Cup-December-10-2022.jpg)Kylian MbappĂ© playing for the French national team during the World Cup in Qatar, December 2022. (more) The course of the tournament took several unexpected turns. [Saudi Arabia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia), the second lowest-ranking team upon entering the tournament, defeated [powerhouse](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/powerhouse) [Argentina](https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina) in the first major upset of the Group Stage, although the outcome of the Group Stage was ultimately unaffected. [Croatia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Croatia) outperformed expectations, as it had done in 2018, and came in third in the tournament. [Morocco](https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco) proved to be the dark horse; the stellar performance of its defense conceded the fewest goals of any team until it was knocked out in the semifinals by [France](https://www.britannica.com/place/France). In a stunning high-scoring final match—in which [Kylian MbappĂ©](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kylian-Mbappe) became the first player since 1966 to score three goals in a final—Argentina beat out France in the World Cup’s third shoot-out victory in its history. The win for Argentina was expected to be the final World Cup match for [Lionel Messi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi), who became the first player in history to compete in 26 World Cup matches. [Adam Zeidan](https://www.britannica.com/editor/Adam-Zeidan/12409087) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI *chevron\_right* 2022 FIFA World Cup *close* [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. [Lionel Messi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi) - [Introduction & Top Questions](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi) - [Early life](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi#ref353805) - [Club play](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi#ref353806) - [International career](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi#ref353807) - [Other activities and legal issues](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi#ref353808) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Lionel-Messi) [Images](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi/images-videos) [![Lionel Messi](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-004-567C1DB1/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg) [![An eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/200159-004-D9904D1A/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-2016.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/200159-050-7DC00ED4/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-2016.jpg) [![The greatest football player of all time?](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/212134-004-6597AD4B/Lionel-Messi-2018.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/212134-050-A7289400/Lionel-Messi-2018.jpg) [![Argentina celebrating its 2022 World Cup victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-004-E9740728/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg) At a Glance [![The greatest football player of all time?](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/212134-050-A7289400/Lionel-Messi-2018.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Lionel-Messi) [Lionel Messi summary](https://www.britannica.com/summary/Lionel-Messi) Quizzes [![Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)](https://cdn.britannica.com/74/234474-131-7CBD1A96/Serena-Williams-womens-single-trophy-Australian-Open-Januray-28-2017.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/great-moments-in-sports-quiz) [Great Moments in Sports Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/great-moments-in-sports-quiz) [![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) [The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) [![Cricket bat and ball. cricket sport of cricket.Homepage blog 2011, arts and entertainment, history and society, sports and games athletics](https://cdn.britannica.com/47/148847-131-607DD61C/Cricket-bat-ball.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/sports-quiz) [Sports Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/sports-quiz) [![Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)](https://cdn.britannica.com/55/235355-131-5EA8CFD4/Usain-Bolt-Jamaica-gold-medal-breaking-world-record-200m-Beijing-Summer-Olympics-August-20-2008.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/i-am-the-greatest-athlete) [I Am the Greatest (Athlete)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/i-am-the-greatest-athlete) [![Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/139052-131-7A7975D1/Balls-shapes-colors-sizes-sports.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/american-sports-nicknames) [American Sports Nicknames](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/american-sports-nicknames) Related Questions - [Why is Lionel Messi famous?](https://www.britannica.com/question/Why-is-Lionel-Messi-famous) - [What was Lionel Messi’s childhood like?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-was-Lionel-Messis-childhood-like) - [What are Lionel Messi’s achievements?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-Lionel-Messis-achievements) - [How did Usain Bolt become famous?](https://www.britannica.com/question/How-did-Usain-Bolt-become-famous) - [What did Usain Bolt accomplish?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-did-Usain-Bolt-accomplish) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Sports & Recreation](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Sports-Recreation) [Soccer](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Soccer) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![Lionel Messi](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg) [Lionel Messi](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/238335-050-2CB2EB8A/Lionel-Messi-Argentina-Netherlands-World-Cup-Qatar-2022.jpg) Football star Lionel Messi, December 2022. (more) # Lionel Messi Argentine-born football player Homework Help Also known as: Leo Messi, Lionel AndrĂ©s Messi Written by [Jack Rollin Jack Rollin is a writer and freelance journalist. He is the author of *Soccer at War, 1939–45* and *Soccer in the 1930s: Simple or Sublime?.*](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Jack-Rollin/3471) Jack Rollin Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors [History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions ### Why is Lionel Messi famous? Lionel Messi is an Argentine-born [football](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer) (soccer) player who has been named the world’s best men’s player of the year seven times (2009–12, 2015, 2019, and 2021). In 2022 he helped Argentina win the [World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football). Naturally left-footed, quick, and precise in control of the ball, Messi is known as a keen pass distributor and can readily thread his way through packed defenses. ### What was Lionel Messi’s childhood like? Lionel Messi started playing football as a boy and was noticed by clubs on both sides of the Atlantic. When he was 13, his family relocated to [Barcelona](https://www.britannica.com/place/Barcelona). He played for [FC Barcelona](https://www.britannica.com/topic/FC-Barcelona)’s under-14 team, quickly graduating through the higher-level teams until his informal debut at age 16 with FC Barcelona in a friendly match. ### What are Lionel Messi’s achievements? Lionel Messi scored 73 goals during the 2011–12 season while playing for [FC Barcelona](https://www.britannica.com/topic/FC-Barcelona), breaking a 39-year-old record for single-season goals in a major European football league. In 2014 Messi led Argentina to the [World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football) final, which Argentina lost, but Messi won the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player. During the 2016 Copa AmĂ©rica Centenario tournament, he netted his 55th international goal to break [Gabriel Batistuta](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gabriel-Batistuta)’s Argentine scoring record. He led Argentina’s national team to win the 2021 and 2024 [Copa AmĂ©rica](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Copa-America) and the 2022 World Cup, when he again won the Golden Ball award. ## News ‱ [Lionel Messi accused of breaching \$7 million contract by sitting out a Florida soccer friendly](https://www.britannica.com/news/1550939/de3c349323fb3aa9ba5d4036d82c79df) ‱ Apr. 15, 2026, 4:44 PM ET (AP) ...(Show more) [Javier Mascherano is out as Inter Miami's coach, only 4 months after leading team to MLS Cup title](https://www.britannica.com/news/1550939/512e39568cb520cdfab2f01376ea9c6e) ‱ Apr. 14, 2026, 2:45 PM ET (AP) [For 10, it's 900: Inter Miami star Lionel Messi scores milestone 900th goal, joining Ronaldo in club](https://www.britannica.com/news/1550939/c02f2c2fe61da7781de5e1da32ee68ae) ‱ Mar. 18, 2026, 9:42 PM ET (AP) Show less **Lionel Messi** (born June 24, 1987, [Rosario](https://www.britannica.com/place/Rosario-Argentina), Argentina) is an Argentine-born [football](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer) (soccer) player who received a record-setting eight [Ballon d’Or](https://www.britannica.com/sports/List-of-Ballon-d-Or-Winners) awards as the world’s top male player (2009–12, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023). In 2022 he helped [Argentina](https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina) win the [FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federation-Internationale-de-Football-Association) (FIFA)’s [World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football). ## Early life Did You Know? With more than 860 career goals, Messi ranks second on the list of the top goal scorers of all time. Messi started playing football as a boy and in 1995 joined the [youth](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/youth) team of Newell’s Old Boys (a Rosario-based top-division football club). Messi’s phenomenal skills garnered the attention of prestigious clubs on both sides of the Atlantic. At age 13 Messi and his family relocated to Barcelona, and he began playing for [FC Barcelona](https://www.britannica.com/topic/FC-Barcelona)’s under-14 team. He scored 21 goals in 14 games for the junior team, and he quickly graduated through the higher-level teams until at age 16 he was given his informal debut with FC Barcelona in a friendly match. ## Club play In the 2004–05 season Messi, then 17, became the youngest official player and goal scorer in the Spanish La Liga (the country’s highest division of football). Though only 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) tall and weighing 148 pounds (67 kg), he was strong, well-balanced, and [versatile](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/versatile) on the field. Naturally left-footed, quick, and precise in control of the ball, Messi was a keen pass distributor and could readily thread his way through packed defenses. In 2005 he was granted Spanish citizenship, an honor greeted with mixed feelings by the fiercely Catalan supporters of Barcelona. The next year Messi and Barcelona won the Champions League (the European club championship) title. [![Silhouette of hand holding sport torch behind the rings of an Olympic flag, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 3, 2015.](https://cdn.britannica.com/44/190944-131-7D082864/Silhouette-hand-sport-torch-flag-rings-Olympic-February-3-2015.jpg) Britannica Quiz The Olympics Quiz](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/the-olympics-quiz) Messi’s play continued to rapidly improve over the years, and by 2008 he was one of the most dominant players in the world, finishing second to [Manchester United’s](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Manchester-United) [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cristiano-Ronaldo) in the voting for the 2008 Ballon d’Or. In early 2009 Messi capped off a spectacular 2008–09 season by helping FC Barcelona capture the club’s first “treble” (winning three major European club titles in one season): the team won the La Liga championship, the Copa del Rey (Spain’s major domestic cup), and the Champions League title. He scored 38 goals in 51 matches during that season, and he bested [Ronaldo](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ronaldo) in the balloting for both the Ballon d’Or and [FIFA’s](https://www.britannica.com/topic/FIFA-game-series) world player of the year by a record margin. During the 2009–10 season Messi scored 34 goals in domestic games as Barcelona repeated as La Liga champions. He earned the Golden Shoe award as Europe’s leading scorer, and he received another Ballon d’Or (the award was known as the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2010–15). [![An eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/200159-050-7DC00ED4/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-2016.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/200159-050-7DC00ED4/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-2016.jpg) [An eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or](https://cdn.britannica.com/59/200159-050-7DC00ED4/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-2016.jpg)Lionel Messi, August 2016. (more) Messi led Barcelona to La Liga and Champions League titles the following season, which helped him capture an [unprecedented](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/unprecedented) third consecutive world player of the year award. In March 2012 he netted his 233rd goal for Barcelona, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer in La Liga play when only 24 years old. He finished Barcelona’s 2011–12 season (which included another Copa del Rey win) with 73 goals in all competitions, breaking [Gerd MĂŒller](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gerd-Muller)’s 39-year-old record for single-season goals in a major European football league. His landmark season led to his being named the 2012 world player of the year, which made Messi the first player to win the honor four times. His 46 La Liga goals in 2012–13 led the league, and Barcelona captured another domestic top-division championship that season. In 2014 he set the overall Barcelona goal record when he scored his 370th goal as a member of the team. That same year he also broke the career scoring records for play in both the Champions League (with 72 goals) and La Liga (with 253 goals). [![The greatest football player of all time?](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/212134-050-A7289400/Lionel-Messi-2018.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/212134-050-A7289400/Lionel-Messi-2018.jpg) [The greatest football player of all time?](https://cdn.britannica.com/34/212134-050-A7289400/Lionel-Messi-2018.jpg)Lionel Messi, December 2018. (more) Messi helped Barcelona capture another treble during the 2014–15 season, leading the team with 43 goals scored over the course of the campaign, which resulted in his fifth world player of the year honor. He scored 41 goals across all competitions for Barcelona in 2015–16, and the club won the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey during that season. Messi topped that with 53 goals for Barcelona in 2016–17, leading the team to another Copa del Rey title. In 2017–18 he scored 45 goals, and Barcelona won the La Liga–Copa del Rey double once again. Messi scored 51 goals across all domestic competitions in 2018–19 as Barcelona won another La Liga championship. In late 2019 he won his sixth career Ballon d’Or and was named FIFA’s best male player of the year. In the 2020–21 season, Barcelona claimed the Copa del Rey title, the seventh of Messi’s career. He became a free agent in 2021, and financial issues—some of which were the result of La Liga rules—largely prevented him from re-signing with Barcelona. He left the club after setting a number of records; notably, he was the leading goal scorer in the league’s history (474). Later in 2021 Messi signed with Paris St.-Germain (PSG), where he joined superstars [Kylian MbappĂ©](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kylian-Mbappe) and [Neymar](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Neymar), and that year he received [yet](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/yet) another Ballon d’Or. He helped PSG win the [Ligue 1](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Lique-1) title in each of his two seasons with the team. In 2023 Messi joined Inter Miami of [Major League Soccer](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Major-League-Soccer) (MLS). He scored 20 goals in the 2024 season and was named the league’s MVP. Messi also had a stellar season in 2025, helping the club win its first MLS Cup. The league’s top scorer (29 goals), he also won his second MVP award, becoming the first player to earn the honor in consecutive seasons. Explore Britannica Premium\! Trusted knowledge for those who want to know more. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=shorter-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) ## International career Despite his dual citizenship and professional success in Spain, Messi’s ties with his homeland remained strong, and he was a key member of various Argentine national teams from 2005. He played on Argentina’s victorious 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship squad, represented the country in the 2006 World Cup, and scored two goals in five matches as Argentina swept to the gold medal at the [Beijing 2008 Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/event/Beijing-2008-Olympic-Games). Messi helped Argentina reach the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals, where the team was eliminated by Germany for the second consecutive time in World Cup play. At the 2014 World Cup, Messi put on a dazzling display, scoring four goals and almost single-handedly propelling an offense-deficient Argentina team through the group stage and into the knockout rounds, where Argentina then advanced to the World Cup final for the first time in 24 years. Argentina lost that contest 1–0 to Germany, but Messi nevertheless won the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player. During the 2016 [Copa AmĂ©rica](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Copa-America) Centenario tournament, he netted his 55th international goal to break [Gabriel Batistuta](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gabriel-Batistuta)’s Argentine scoring record. [![Argentina celebrating its 2022 World Cup victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg) [Argentina celebrating its 2022 World Cup victory](https://cdn.britannica.com/22/238522-050-F29FD74E/FIFA-2022-World-Cup-Argentina.jpg)Team captain Lionel Messi (holding trophy) and other members of Argentina's national team after winning the 2022 Men's World Cup. (more) After Argentina was defeated in the Copa final—the team’s third consecutive finals loss in a major tournament—Messi said that he was quitting the national team, but his short-lived “retirement” lasted less than two months before he announced his return to the Argentine team. At the 2018 World Cup, he helped an overmatched Argentine side reach the knockout stage, where they were eliminated by eventual champion France in their first match. After a third-place finish at the 2019 Copa AmĂ©rica, Messi led Argentina to victory in the tournament two years later, and he received the Golden Ball award. His success continued at the [2022 World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup). There he guided Argentina to the finals, where he scored two goals—and made a penalty kick during the shootout—to help defeat France. Messi won the World Cup’s Golden Ball, becoming the first male player to receive that award twice. In addition, his outstanding play in the tournament was instrumental in Messi winning his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023. In 2024, he led Argentina to a record 16th Copa AmĂ©rica title. ## Other activities and legal issues Off the field, Messi was one of the biggest athletic stars in the world. In addition to earning a football salary that was frequently, with Ronaldo’s, one of the two largest athletes’ salaries in all professional [sports](https://www.britannica.com/sports/sports), he was an extremely successful product pitchman, notably for the sportswear company [Adidas](https://www.britannica.com/money/Adidas-AG). In 2013 Messi and his father (who handled his son’s finances) were charged with tax [fraud](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/fraud) and accused of using overseas shell companies to avoid paying €4.2 million in Spanish taxes on endorsement earnings. Despite subsequently paying €5 million to the Spanish state, the pair were nevertheless ordered to stand trial on the charges in 2016. In July of that year, Messi and his father were each given suspended 21-month prison sentences (first-time offenders in Spain are given suspended sentences if the duration is under two years) and were fined €2 million and €1.5 million, respectively. Quick Facts In full: Lionel AndrĂ©s Messi *(Show more)* Also called: Leo Messi *(Show more)* Born: June 24, 1987, [Rosario](https://www.britannica.com/place/Rosario-Argentina), [Argentina](https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina) (age 38) *(Show more)* Awards And Honors: [Olympic Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games) [Presidential Medal of Freedom (2025)](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Presidential-Medal-of-Freedom) [Ballon d’Or (2023)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [World Cup (2022)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football) [Ballon d’Or (2021)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [Ballon d’Or (2019)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [Ballon d’Or (2015)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [Ballon d’Or (2012)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [Ballon d’Or (2011)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [Ballon d’Or (2010)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) [Ballon d’Or (2009)](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Golden-Ball) *(Show more)* [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/Lionel-Messi) In 2025 U.S. Pres. [Joe Biden](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joe-Biden) awarded Messi the [Presidential Medal of Freedom](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Presidential-Medal-of-Freedom). Top goal scorers of all time [![Five-time Ballon d'Or winner](https://cdn.britannica.com/63/222663-050-58CCA884/Soccer-forward-Cristiano-Ronaldo-2018.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cristiano-Ronaldo) [\#1: Cristiano Ronaldo](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cristiano-Ronaldo) [![PelĂ©](https://cdn.britannica.com/38/211838-050-3D3D2391/Pele-Brazilian-soccer-player-athlete-circa-1970s.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pele-Brazilian-athlete) [\#3: PelĂ©](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pele-Brazilian-athlete) [![RomĂĄrio: 1994 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/94/222394-050-D8838C2C/Romario-of-Brazil-holds-the-trophy-after-World-Cup-final-against-Italy-at-Rose-Bowl-Los-Angeles-July-17-1994.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Romario) [\#4: RomĂĄrio](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Romario) [![The Galloping Major](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/171432-050-232FFA94/Ferenc-Puskas-1971.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferenc-Puskas) [\#5: Ferenc PuskĂĄs](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferenc-Puskas) [Jack Rollin](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Jack-Rollin/3471) [The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI *chevron\_right* Lionel Messi *close* [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. Load Next Page Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. *print* Print Please select which sections you would like to print: *verified*Cite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Zeidan, Adam. "2022 FIFA World Cup". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 2 Mar. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup. Accessed 16 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup> External Websites - [CNN Sports - FIFA World Cup Draw: Everything you need to know](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/05/sport/soccer-world-cup-draw-explainer) - [ABC listen - Late Night Live - Qatar 2022: When the beautiful game turns ugly](https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/qatar-2022-when-the-beautiful-game-turns-ugly/101689758) - [Independent - A year on from Qatar, this is the real legacy of the 2022 World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/qatar-2022-world-cup-lionel-messi-b2449055.html) - [FIFA - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022) - [Olympic Games - FIFA World Cup 2022: All results, scores and points table](https://www.olympics.com/en/news/fifa-world-cup-2022-results-scores-football) Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. *print* Print Please select which sections you would like to print: *verified*Cite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Rollin, Jack. "Lionel Messi". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 9 Dec. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi. Accessed 16 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi> External Websites Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. - [Lionel Messi - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Lionel-Messi/633360) - [Lionel Messi - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Lionel-Messi/627581)
Readable Markdown
Top Questions - What is the FIFA World Cup? - Where was the 2022 FIFA World Cup held? - Which teams competed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final? - What was unique about the 2022 FIFA World Cup compared to previous tournaments? - Who were some standout players in the 2022 FIFA World Cup? - How did the outcome of the 2022 FIFA World Cup affect the winning team’s history? **2022 FIFA World Cup**, international [football](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer) (soccer) tournament that took place in [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) from November 20 to December 18, 2022, and was contested by the men’s national teams of 32 countries. [Argentina](https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina) won its third [World Cup](https://www.britannica.com/sports/World-Cup-football) victory in the tournament after defeating [France](https://www.britannica.com/place/France) in the final match. The 2022 World Cup was the first to take place in the [Middle East](https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East) after the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) awarded Qatar the right to host in 2010. Qatar’s national team was also the only one new to the tournament, although [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada)’s team made its first appearance in nearly four decades and [Wales](https://www.britannica.com/place/Wales)’ team qualified for the first time since 1958. Only eight countries had won any of the 21 previous World Cup tournaments, and several of them, including Argentina, [Brazil](https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil), [England](https://www.britannica.com/place/England), and France, entered the tournament among the favourites to win again. Preparation for the event proved to be a long and controversial road, however, from the launch of Qatar’s bid to host in 2009 to its final realization in 2022. ## Pitching the pitches: Qatar’s bid to host and its air-conditioned stadiums When [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) launched its bid in 2009 to host the World Cup, it was in an overall strong position to make its case. The petroleum wealth of the [Persian Gulf](https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf) region and its rapid, even luxurious, bloom left no doubt that Qatar (a leading producer of [natural gas](https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-gas)) could front the enormous expense of hosting the event. A successful presentation of the 2006 [Asian Games](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Asian-Games) in [Doha](https://www.britannica.com/place/Doha), its capital, further indicated that Qatar was up to the challenge. Boosting Qatar’s appeal at the time was the image of the tiny country as a microcosm of global cooperation. It enjoyed [cordial and trusted relationships](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar/History#ref341564) that bridged both regional and global divides, in many cases serving as an intermediary between bitter rivals. The international success of its premier news broadcaster, [Al Jazeera](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Al-Jazeera), was perhaps the most visible example of Qatar’s global reach. Qatar later [suffered a rift](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar/International-scrutiny-and-rift-with-Arab-allies#ref341565) with some of its neighbours in the mid-2010s. Both the rift itself and Qatar’s ability to weather years of blockade were the result of its strong relations with a broad and [disparate](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disparate) set of political actors. [Bolstering](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bolstering) Qatar’s bid further was the momentum of the 2010 World Cup in [South Africa](https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa), which [galvanized](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galvanized) audiences as the first World Cup hosted in an African country. Much of the [Arab](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arab) world hoped that FIFA would follow suit by making Qatar the first Arab country to host the tournament. Their hopes, along with Qatar’s, were realized in December 2010, when Qatar was announced the winner of the bid for the 2022 event. Qatar had earlier sought the rights to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, but it was constrained by its proposal to begin the [Olympics](https://www.britannica.com/sports/Olympic-Games) in October to avoid Qatar’s forbidding summer heat. So, as part of its World Cup bid, Qatar pitched carbon-neutral air-conditioned stadiums that would revolutionize [cooling system](https://www.britannica.com/technology/cooling-system) technology. The proposal would allow Qatar to host the tournament in the summer while spurring heavy investment in green [innovation](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovation) and [infrastructure](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infrastructure). Concerns about the country’s extreme heat mounted in the years ahead, however, and in 2015 FIFA made the historic decision to delay the tournament to November and December. The move to November–December introduced a new, if not disruptive, complexity to the tournament. Falling in the middle of the annual [football](https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-soccer) (soccer) season, it put pressure on players, leagues, federations, and broadcasters to balance regular sporting events with the World Cup. A number of potentially game-changing absences, including those of Diogo Jota ([Portugal](https://www.britannica.com/place/Portugal)), N’Golo KantĂ© ([France](https://www.britannica.com/place/France)), and Timo Werner ([Germany](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany)), were due to injuries sustained in matches that preceded the World Cup. Smart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=smart-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) Although its claims of [offsetting](https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-offset) emissions were heavily criticized, Qatar carried out its promise to build seven open-air stadiums with energy-efficient cooling systems. In those cooling systems, a cascade of air, cooled using [solar power](https://www.britannica.com/technology/solar-power) energy, sinks from the top of each stadium down to the field, with the aim of cooling the thin layer of air that [encompasses](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompasses) spectators and the players rather than the entire air volume of the stadium. The stadiums’ architectural designs, meanwhile, were intended to put Qatari [culture](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture) and history on display: Al Bayt Stadium (Al-Khawr, Qatar) was shaped as a [Bedouin](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bedouin) tent; Lusail Stadium (north of Doha) reflects traditional Arabian craftsmanship, particularly bowls and lanterns; and Al Janoub Stadium (Al-Wakrah, Qatar) imitates the [dhow](https://www.britannica.com/technology/dhow), the sailing vessel [iconic](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iconic) of [Persian Gulf](https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf) seafarers. Khalifa International Stadium, built in Doha in 1976, was also repurposed for the World Cup. ## Scandals, kafala system, and human rights concerns [2015 FIFA corruption scandal: Sepp Blatter and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/192637-050-2A26A394/president-officials-Jerome-Valcke-FIFA-Sepp-Blatter.jpg)Sepp Blatter (left), president (1998–2015) of the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and JĂ©rĂŽme Valcke, FIFA secretary-general. They were among the FIFA officials who were banned from activity related to association football (soccer) because of massive ethics violations. The doubts that led to the tournament’s move to November–December were spurred by accusations of corruption, bribery, abuse, and [sportswashing](https://www.britannica.com/money/sportwashing). Allegations of vote-selling among FIFA officials, already rampant before the vote took place in 2010, marred the selection of [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar) as host for the 2022 World Cup. Investigations into the matter drew attention to [corruption in FIFA](https://www.britannica.com/event/2015-FIFA-corruption-scandal), contributing to the downfall of its president [Sepp Blatter](https://www.britannica.com/money/Sepp-Blatter) in 2015. It remained unclear whether Qatar engaged in practices outside the norm in FIFA’s [opaque](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque) selection process, but several reports and investigations implicated representatives involved in Qatar’s bid of bribing FIFA officials. The ordeal called into question the [integrity](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrity) of the whole of the Qatari proposal, including whether it could carry out its promise for a safe summertime tournament. Preparations for the World Cup also brought attention to the exploitative aspects of Qatar’s labour market. Its demand for cheap labour in the 20th century, in numbers that vastly exceeded the number of Qataris, produced a system of sponsorship known as the kafala system (*niáș“ām al-kafālah*, “system of sponsorship”). Under this system, the state gave Qatari citizens or employers responsibility for the large-scale recruitment and management of migrant workers. The conditions of sponsorship, along with poor protections from the state, gave sponsors (*kufalāʟ*, singular *kafÄ«l*) a significant amount of control over migrants’ wages and ability to seek new employment and exit the country. Workers were commonly exploited, abused, and forced to live or work in poor conditions. Facing intense international scrutiny, Qatar introduced new regulations to the kafala system in 2017. Further reforms in 2020, including abolishing requirements for employers’ permission to change jobs or leave the country, aimed at dismantling the system altogether. Despite Qatar’s active engagement with the international [community](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/community) to improve worker conditions and [autonomy](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy), abuses persisted beyond 2020, and observers called for continued engagement and enforcement. The expectation of a large influx of tourists for the World Cup also stoked debate in the West about other matters of Qatar’s domestic policy. Questions arose in particular on whether the norms of Qatar’s predominantly [conservative](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservative) society, which subscribes to the relatively strict [WahhābÄ«](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wahhabi) interpretation of [Islam](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam), could accommodate the comforts of Western visitors. Qatar agreed to allow the [consumption](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consumption) of alcohol in designated areas, for example, but less clear in the run up to the World Cup was how Qatari officials might react to public displays of affection, especially between members of the same sex or gender. Aside from concerns over the treatment of migrant workers, many people also raised concerns over the treatment of women and members of the [LGBTQ+](https://www.britannica.com/topic/LGTBQ-community) community in Qatar. ## The tournament: Protests, upsets, and winners [Neymar at the 2022 World Cup](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/238295-050-2DDEF573/Neymar-Brazil-Dejan-Lovren-Croatia-FIFA-World-Cup-action-soccer-December-9-2022.jpg)Neymar (right) of Brazil battling Dejan Lovren of Croatia during a quarterfinal match at the 2022 World Cup, Al Rayyan, Qatar. The tournament took off with a bang. Qatar stoked controversy with a last-minute decision to ban the sale of [beer](https://www.britannica.com/topic/beer) at its stadiums. Some observers claimed that the outcry against the ban, which several European countries also [enforce](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/enforce) at their stadiums, was one instance where Qatar appeared to be held to a [double standard](https://www.britannica.com/money/bimetallism). Meanwhile, after several teams announced plans for their captains to wear armbands that displayed support for LGBTQ+ rights, FIFA threatened those players with sanctions for violating FIFA rules about “political, religious and personal slogans.” The armbands ultimately did not make it onto the field, but the [German](https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany) national team symbolically covered their mouths in a photograph taken before their opening match. [Iran](https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran)’s national team, in support of ongoing protests in the country, refused to sing the [national anthem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/national-anthem) in their own opening match, while many of the team’s supporters held up flags with the protest slogan “[Woman, Life, Freedom](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Woman-Life-Freedom).” Quick Facts Date: November 20, 2022 - December 18, 2022 The course of the tournament took several unexpected turns. [Saudi Arabia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia), the second lowest-ranking team upon entering the tournament, defeated [powerhouse](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/powerhouse) [Argentina](https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina) in the first major upset of the Group Stage, although the outcome of the Group Stage was ultimately unaffected. [Croatia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Croatia) outperformed expectations, as it had done in 2018, and came in third in the tournament. [Morocco](https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco) proved to be the dark horse; the stellar performance of its defense conceded the fewest goals of any team until it was knocked out in the semifinals by [France](https://www.britannica.com/place/France). In a stunning high-scoring final match—in which [Kylian MbappĂ©](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kylian-Mbappe) became the first player since 1966 to score three goals in a final—Argentina beat out France in the World Cup’s third shoot-out victory in its history. The win for Argentina was expected to be the final World Cup match for [Lionel Messi](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lionel-Messi), who became the first player in history to compete in 26 World Cup matches.
ML Classification
ML Categories
/Sports
99.8%
/Sports/Team_Sports
89.0%
/Sports/Team_Sports/Soccer
88.8%
Raw JSON
{
    "/Sports": 998,
    "/Sports/Team_Sports": 890,
    "/Sports/Team_Sports/Soccer": 888
}
ML Page Types
/Article
99.6%
/Article/News_Update
70.4%
Raw JSON
{
    "/Article": 996,
    "/Article/News_Update": 704
}
ML Intent Types
Informational
99.9%
Raw JSON
{
    "Informational": 999
}
Content Metadata
Languageen
AuthorAdam Zeidan
Publish Time2026-03-02 00:00:00 (1 month ago)
Original Publish Time2023-03-30 05:59:59 (3 years ago)
RepublishedYes
Word Count (Total)4,683
Word Count (Content)1,696
Links
External Links27
Internal Links159
Technical SEO
Meta NofollowNo
Meta NoarchiveNo
JS RenderedYes
Redirect Targetnull
Performance
Download Time (ms)201
TTFB (ms)200
Download Size (bytes)27,919
Shard62 (laksa)
Root Hash5455945239613777662
Unparsed URLcom,britannica!www,/sports/2022-FIFA-World-Cup s443