FIFA mostly wins big but loses some trust at 2022 Qatar World Cup

Even before an epic final won by Lionel Messi and Argentina, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was calling it the best World Cup ever in Qatar.

There was clear self-interest to declare the success of a tournament that was politically fraught for most of the 12 years since the wealthy emirate was picked as host by a previous FIFA leadership broadly tainted by corruption allegations.

FIFA's fundamental role is to oversee global soccer's rules and make sure World Cups happen on schedule: Goal achieved, billions of dollars duly earned.

As ever with arguably world sport's most colorful governing body, there was much else going on.

ON THE FIELD

When the games begin focus shifts to the field, and FIFA got that early on day three when Messi and Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an upset for the ages.

One day later, Germany lost to Japan and then Brazil delighted the world in its first game against Serbia. Morocco picked up the baton and was the first African or Arab nation to still be