From the masses appointing Lionel Messi as the greatest soccer player of all time to Morocco upsetting Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals, one could say that the 2022 FIFA World Cup had it all. 

After beating Iran and recording draws with England and Wales, the United States U.S. National Team reached the Round of 16, where they lost to the Netherlands 1-3. After their strong performance, the U.S. National Team is now ranked 13th in the world, over notable countries Germany, Uruguay, and Mexico.

Projected to win by many fans, the highest-ranked country in the world, Brazil defeated Serbia, Switzerland and South Korea before they were upset by 2018 World Cup runner-ups, Croatia. Led by one of the world’s best players, Neymar da Silva Santos, Jr., Brazil had a goal difference of five. During their run, Brazil’s striker Richarlison de Andrade’s bicycle kick was voted Goal of the Tournament. 

Morocco’s improbable run highlighted the parity in today’s international soccer. Asian underdogs, Japan and South Korea, defeated traditional powerhouses Spain, Germany, and Portugal.

Off of the pitch, the soccer world lost a family member. U.S. soccer analyst and journalist Grant Wahl died of an aortic aneurysm in Qatar on Dec. 10, 2022. . Flowers and a picture of the journalist were placed at his assigned seat, where he was supposed to watch the England vs. France quarter final match.

France’s young phenom Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot, as he finished with eight goals. After leading his nation to the finals, Mbappe and France lost to Lionel Messi and the Argentinian National Team in a penalty shootout. Messi cemented his case as the greatest soccer player of the modern era, as he beat Christiano Ronaldo in the race to win the highly-coveted World Cup.