The world’s most anticipated sporting event recently came to a close. There is no arguing that this edition of the FIFA World Cup will be remembered for its chaotic finale, and Messi finally winning the gold he chased for over a decade. But, not everything is sunshine and rainbows, for this historic event. When thinking about it, the primary upside to the whole thing was the Final.

Qatar the Worst Host Nation Squad

• One of the biggest honors in sports is being a host of a major event. Of course, with that honor comes expectations. Qatar was nowhere near meeting any expectations. Qatar was far worse; becoming the first host to lose every single one of its games. One goal scored, with seven conceded. Bear in mind that Qatar is not a soccer-focused country, like Germany or Spain. The Qataris were sent on a mission to humiliate themselves in front of millions worldwide.

Four and a Half Years to Happen

• Date-wise, the 2022 World Cup broke the traditional record of when it’s held. The World Cup is held every four years. But this time, it took an extra six months. Since Qatar has brutal summer conditions, it definitely wasn’t safe to hold during the usual months. It was definitely awkward, watching something so iconic being held in late fall, pushing for the winter. As far as FIFA is concerned, it has been strictly four years since the 2018 World Cup, nothing more.

Temp Stadium 974 Built On Human Rights Violations

• Touching back on the subject of Qatar not being a soccer focused nation, one the stadiums built were not meant to be permanent. In preparation, the Qatari government spent millions on stadiums, using the labor of migrants, under slave-like conditions. According to reports from The Guardian and BBC, residents from countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka died in the process. And what really is a spit to the face of those worked and died, is the fact that Stadium 974 is temporary. 974 will be taken apart for the 2030 World Cup.

Emiliano Martinez Golden Glove Gesture

• Aston Villa’s star goalkeeper rightfully deserved to win the Golden Glove. Believing otherwise is insane. Yet, that doesn’t excuse vulgar behavior. During Argentina’s celebration, Emiliano Martinez placed the prize by his groin, and pointed it at the crowd. Martinez claims that he was pointing it at France’s fans, who were booing him. Even if that is true, it shows a lack of sportsmanship. To be fair, Martinez didn’t really pull off the greatest goalkeeper performance in a final. Mabppe netted a hat trick, towards the end of the match. Reports claim that Aston Villa head coach, Unai Emery, wants Martinez out. Who can blame Emery? That sort of behavior most expected from a teenager, at the oldest. If no club ends up not wanting Martinez, he should look back at that one moment.

Journalist Deaths

• Long time sports journalist and soccer analyst Grant Wahl unfortunately passed away in Qatar, while covering the World Cup. The untimely passing sent shockwaves throughout the world of soccer news. At first, foul play was the first theory. This was solely based on Wahl’s pro-LGBT views, which he made visible during his stay in Qatar. In the end, it was confirmed that Wahl died due to an aortic aneurysm. According to the New York City medical examiner, “Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium.” Shortly after Grant’s passing, Qatari photojournalist Khalid al-Misslam, working for Al Kass TV, also died. But, nothing is known about Al-Misslam’s cause of death. Gulf-Times mentioned Al-Misslam’s passing, but the news never went beyond that.

Now as we bid farewell to 2022, the true highlight of our end-of-year memories are probably filled with the World Cup. For some fans, it was the greatest spectacle in sports, for others it probably wasn’t appealing at all. No matter how you see it, history was made, in good and bad ways.

Is there anything you want to forget about the 2022 World Cup?