World Cup in Qatar
The 2022 FIFA World Cup, held in Qatar from late November to mid-December, was the first men's World Cup staged in the Middle East and the first in a predominantly Muslim Arab country. It ended with Argentina defeating France in a final widely regarded as one of the greatest in the tournament's history. It also became one of the most debated World Cups ever, because of questions about how it was awarded, the treatment of migrant workers, and the rights of women and LGBTQ people in the host country.
Qatar was chosen in December 2010, when FIFA's executive committee voted to give the 2018 tournament to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar. The bid faced immediate skepticism over the country's small size, extreme summer heat, and lack of a major football tradition. Allegations of corruption surrounding the vote later emerged, and a wave of FIFA scandals followed, including US and Swiss investigations that led to the downfall of senior officials. Qatar has consistently denied wrongdoing in its bid. Because of the heat, the tournament was moved to November and December, disrupting the calendar of European club leagues.
Preparations involved enormous construction, including seven new stadiums, an expanded airport, a new metro system in Doha, and the planned district of Lusail. The work relied heavily on migrant laborers from South Asia and elsewhere. Investigations by journalists and organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented unpaid wages, dangerous conditions, and worker deaths. Qatar introduced labor reforms, including dismantling much of the kafala sponsorship system and setting a minimum wage, though critics argued enforcement was uneven. The true number of worker deaths remains disputed, and figures cited by different sources vary widely.
On the pitch, the tournament featured notable upsets, including Saudi Arabia's win over Argentina and Japan's victories over Germany and Spain in the group stage. Morocco became the first African and first Arab team to reach a World Cup semifinal. The final in Lusail ended 3–3 after extra time, with Argentina winning on penalties. Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball, finally secured the one major title that had eluded him, while France's Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick in defeat and won the Golden Boot.
The tournament's legacy is mixed. Supporters pointed to its compact layout, strong attendance, and its symbolic importance for the Arab world. Critics argued it showed how sport can be used to improve a nation's global image, a practice often called sportswashing, though Qatari officials rejected that characterization. The next World Cup, in 2026, will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Qatar's experience continues to shape debates about how hosts are chosen and held accountable.