Argentina Wins 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as Legal US Soccer Betting Reaches New Heights
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 18, 2022, defeating France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw after extra time at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. The tournament became the most bet-on soccer event in the history of US legal sports betting, with more than 30 licensed state markets active during the competition.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, defeating France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw after extra time
- The final was played at Lusail Stadium in Qatar on December 18, 2022
- Lionel Messi scored twice in the final and won his first FIFA World Cup title
- Kylian Mbappé scored a hat-trick for France in the final
- The 2022 World Cup was the first held in the Middle East and the first played in November-December
- Over 30 US states had licensed legal sports betting active during the 2022 World Cup, making it the most bet-on soccer tournament in US legal history
Why It Matters — Players
Why It Matters — Operators
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 18, 2022, at Lusail Stadium near Doha, Qatar — a final widely regarded as one of the greatest in the tournament's history. Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at full time and after extra time, with Lionel Messi scoring twice in the match and playing the defining role in delivering Argentina's first World Cup title since 1986.
The final, played in front of a sold-out stadium, saw France's Kylian Mbappé score a hat-trick — including two goals in regular time that drew France level after Argentina had led 2-0 — creating one of the most dramatic title matches in World Cup history. The penalty shootout delivered Argentina and Messi their long-awaited championship.
The 2022 World Cup and the US Legal Betting Market
For the US sports betting industry, the 2022 FIFA World Cup represented a landmark event. More than 30 US states had active licensed sports betting markets by November 2022, a dramatic expansion from the handful of states that had legal betting when the previous World Cup was held in 2018. The widespread availability of licensed mobile sportsbooks meant that for the first time, the majority of American sports fans interested in betting on the World Cup could do so through regulated platforms rather than offshore or informal channels.
Soccer has historically been a growth area for US sportsbooks, with the sport's combination of low-scoring games, a wide range of prop and live betting markets, and international appeal creating attractive betting content. The 2022 World Cup — played in Qatar for the first time, and held in November and December to avoid Qatar's summer heat — presented US sportsbooks with a month-long calendar of betting events during the NFL season, a combination that drove sustained engagement from both regular sports bettors and casual soccer fans.
The American Gaming Association, which tracks legal sports betting adoption in the United States, noted the 2022 World Cup as a significant milestone for the growth of soccer betting in the US legal market.
Looking Ahead: World Cup 2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 11 US host cities. The tournament's proximity — with games at venues including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and others — is expected to drive record levels of US legal sports betting on the World Cup for the first time in the home market.
- Source:
- Associated Press
- Published:
- December 18, 2022
- Original Article:
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