2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar
The first World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world, and the first played in November–December to avoid the heat. Argentina drew 3–3 with France in the final and won on penalties, crowning Messi a world champion.
The tournament was held in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022 — the first World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab world, and the first played in the northern winter to escape the summer heat. It drew criticism over bribery allegations surrounding the 2010 vote that awarded it, the treatment and deaths of migrant workers who built the stadiums, and discrimination against LGBT people. It was the last tournament with 32 teams.
In the group stage Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina 2–1, and Morocco became the first African or Arab team to reach the semi-finals. South Korea drew 0–0 with Uruguay, lost 2–3 to Ghana and beat Portugal 2–1 to reach the last sixteen abroad for the second time, where it lost 1–4 to Brazil.
In the final at Lusail Stadium on 18 December Argentina led through two goals from Messi, but Kylian Mbappé scored the first hat-trick in a final since Hurst in 1966 to make it 3–3. Argentina won the shoot-out 4–2 for their third title, 36 years after their second, and Messi won the Golden Ball for a second time.
