How FIFA World Cup gave a healing touch to the Persian Gulf Region

The first-ever football World Cup in the Arabian country of Qatar in the Persian Gulf.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been a great unifier for the world! It is impossible to imagine that a large part of this middle-eastern region had boycotted Qatar for a long period of time and only lifted sanctions recently.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup was an international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of FIFA’s member associations and the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. It took place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022, making it the first World Cup held in the Arab world and Muslim world, and the second held entirely in Asia after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan. France was the defending champions, having defeated Croatia 4–2 in the 2018 final.

This tournament was the last with 32 participating teams, with the number of teams being increased to 48 for the 2026 edition. The event was held during November and December to avoid the extremes of Qatar’s hot climate. It was held over a reduced time frame of 29 days with 64 matches played in eight venues across five cities. The Qatar national football team entered the event—their first World Cup—automatically as the host’s national team, alongside 31 teams determined by the qualification process.

Argentina was crowned the champions after winning the final against the title holder France 4–2 on penalties following a 3–3 draw after extra time. It was Argentina’s third title and their first since 1986, as well as being the first nation from South America to win the tournament since 2002. French player Kylian Mbappé became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst in 1966 final and won the Golden Boot as he scored the most goals (eight) during the tournament. Argentine captain Lionel Messi was voted the tournament’s best player, winning the Golden Ball. Teammates Emiliano Martínez and Enzo Fernández won the Golden Glove, awarded to the tournament’s best goalkeeper, and the Young Player Award, awarded to the tournament’s best young player, respectively. The tournament, with 172 goals, set a new record for the highest number of goals scored with the 32-team format.

The choice to host the World Cup in Qatar attracted significant criticism, with concerns raised over the country’s treatment of migrant workers, women and members of the LGBT community, as well as Qatar’s climate, lack of strong football culture, scheduling changes, and allegations of bribery for hosting rights and wider FIFA corruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why was the 2022 World Cup held in November and December – not summer?

Because Qatar’s summer heat is extreme. FIFA moved the tournament to November–December to protect players and fans. This was the first World Cup not held in May, June, or July – a risky break from tradition that paid off with mild weather (but also disrupted European league schedules).

2. Who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup – and how did they win?

Argentina won their third title (first since 1986). The final against France was a thriller:

• 3–3 draw after extra time

• Argentina won 4–2 on penalties

It was the first time a South American nation won the World Cup since Brazil in 2002.

3. What records were broken at Qatar 2022?

The tournament set several historic marks:

• 172 total goals – the highest ever in a 32‑team World Cup

• First hat‑trick in a final since 1966 – scored by France’s Kylian Mbappé

• Mbappé won the Golden Boot with 8 goals

• Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball (best player)

• Emiliano Martínez (Golden Glove) and Enzo Fernández (Young Player Award) made it a clean sweep for Argentina

4. Was this a “last of its kind” World Cup?

Yes. Qatar 2022 was the final World Cup with 32 teams. The 2026 edition (USA, Canada, Mexico) will expand to 48 teams – changing the group stage format forever. That makes 2022 a nostalgic milestone for traditionalists.

5. Why did Qatar face so much criticism as a host?

The article lists four major controversies:

• Treatment of migrant workers – reports of deaths and labor abuses during stadium construction

• Treatment of women and LGBT+ people – Qatar’s laws are extremely restrictive

• Allegations of bribery – over the bidding process for hosting rights

• Lack of football culture – Qatar had never qualified for a World Cup before hosting

Plus, the schedule change (winter) disrupted club seasons worldwide. Many saw the choice as FIFA corruption, not sport.

6. How did the Saudi-led boycott of Qatar affect the World Cup?

The article notes an ironic twist: a large part of the Middle East had boycotted Qatar for years, only lifting sanctions recently before the tournament. The World Cup became an accidental unifier – bringing rival Gulf nations together (at least for 29 days of football).

7. What made the final between Argentina and France so unforgettable?

Three things:

• Messi’s crowning moment – after losing the 2014 final, he finally lifted the trophy

• Mbappé’s hat‑trick – only the second man to score three in a men’s World Cup final (after Geoff Hurst in 1966)

• Penalty drama – a 3–3 draw followed by Argentina’s 4–2 shootout win

It is widely called the greatest World Cup final of all time.

8. Where exactly in the Persian Gulf was the tournament held?

In Qatar – a small peninsula nation on the western coast of the Persian Gulf. The article notes this was the first World Cup in the Arab world and Muslim world, and only the second held entirely in Asia (after 2002 in South Korea/Japan). Matches took place across 8 venues in 5 cities, all within a ~55 km radius – the most compact World Cup since 1950.

9. Did the Qatar national team do well?

No. As hosts, Qatar entered automatically for their first-ever World Cup. But they lost all three group matches – the worst performance by any host nation in tournament history. The on‑field story was overshadowed by Argentina and France.