Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani look on during the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy ceremony after the football final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022.
As the first World Cup hosted in the Middle East, Qatar 2022 offered a uniquely compact fan experience. With all stadiums located within a tight radius around Doha, the tournament lacked the sprawling travel fatigue of previous editions, creating an Olympic-style village atmosphere where fans from disparate cultures mingled daily.
While debates over sports-washing and the commercialization of the game remained a constant undertone in Western media, for millions across the region, the tournament was a proud, flawlessly organized celebration of hospitality and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Africa: Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia
Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Qatar (hosts) Saudi Arabia, South Korea
