Fireworks are pictured before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium north of Doha on December 18, 2022.

Trouble brews in the run up to every global, mega sporting event — such as buses not running on time, or venues seemingly not ready for action. But it melts away when the games begin.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup Final match between Argentina and France on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

The 2022 football World Cup gets underway Sunday, with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador. In the 12 years since the tiny gas-rich country was awarded rights to the event, it has spent $300 billion ...

Qatar won the bid for the 2022 Men's World Cup in 2010 beating other countries hoping to host the tournament including their closest rival, the USA, by 14 votes to eight.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at ...

Lionel Messi L of Argentina greets Kylian Mbappe of France during the Final between Argentina and France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (Photo by Pan ...

France Final is the most-streamed FIFA World Cup match in U.S. media history, regardless of language. Argentina v. France 2022 Final (2.96 million viewers AMA) delivered 2,156% more streaming viewers ...

Qatar 2022 will go down as one of the most talked about and controversial World Cups in history. The Gulf country defeated bids from South Korea, Japan, Australia and the United States to host the ...