For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the 2022 tournament is being played in the Middle East.
Qatar controversially earned hosting rights over a decade ago and 2022 also marked the nation's first appearance in the finals.
Before Qatar, host nations had historically performed quite well in the tournament with home-field advantage often seeing sides punch above their weight.
So just how well have past host nations performed? And where does Qatar's performance match up historically?
MORE: Who has won the most World Cups?
How many times has a host country won the World Cup?
Six teams have won the World Cup as the tournament's host nation.
Uruguay were the first when they won the inaugural competition after claiming four straight victories in 1930.
Italy were next in 1934, and like Uruguay, only needed to win four games to lift the trophy.
It wasn't until 1966 when a host nation once again won the World Cup with England this time pulling off the feat after remaining unbeaten in their six matches.
Eight years later, West Germany would also lift the title at home despite losing to East Germany in the group stages.
Argentina became the next successful host nation in 1978, and like West Germany also lost a game on their way to the title.
France were the most recent host nation to triumph when they did so in 1998. That campaign is considered one of the best in World Cup history as Les Bleus won all seven of their games, scoring 15 goals and conceding just twice.
Imagine being in the crowd for this 🤩 #OnThisDay in 1998, @equipedefrance 🇫🇷 won their first #FIFAWorldCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YPjf1suJwP
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 12, 2022
How many times has a World Cup host nation reached the knockout stages?
Prior to Qatar, in the previous 22 World Cups, only two nations failed to progress past the group stages.
Spain were the first to earn this unwanted honour in 1982 when teams notably had to navigate two phases of group stage play to reach the semifinals. Spain came second in their initial group behind Northern Ireland before finishing last in the next group section behind West Germany and England — winning just one of their five games on home soil.
South Africa were the next and most recent team not to qualify for the knockout stages when they did so in 2010. The Bafana Bafana did, however, impress on home soil drawing with Mexico in the opening match before stunning France 2-1 in their last group game. They only missed out on progressing past the group stage due to goal difference.
Unfortunately for Qatar a combination of inexperience at the highest level and a fairly competitive group with Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands meant that they were eliminated after just two matches.
1️⃣2️⃣ years ago today:
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 11, 2022
That goal 🤩
That commentary 🎙
When all eyes were on South Africa 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/kHxQYtTfnG
FIFA World Cup host nation's record
Qatar 2022 marks the 23rd men's World Cup in history and the first to be played in the Middle East.
Having the tournament in your own country has inevitably helped a number of teams in the past with a number of sides going on to lift the trophy on home soil or at least going deep into the knockout stages.
Here's how every World Cup host nation has performed in the past:
| Year | Host | Result | Record (W-D-L) | Goals scored | Goals conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Winner | 4-0-0 | 15 | 3 |
| 1934 | Italy | Winner | 4-0-0 | 11 | 3 |
| 1938 | France | Quarterfinals | 1-0-1 | 4 | 4 |
| 1950 | Brazil | Runner-up | 4-1-1 | 22 | 6 |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Quarter-finals | 2-0-2 | 11 | 11 |
| 1958 | Sweden | Runner-up | 4-1-1 | 12 | 7 |
| 1962 | Chile | Third | 5-0-2 | 10 | 8 |
| 1966 | England | Winner | 5-1-0 | 11 | 3 |
| 1970 | Mexico | Quarter-finals | 2-1-1 | 6 | 4 |
| 1974 | West Germany | Winner | 6-0-1 | 13 | 4 |
| 1978 | Argentina | Winner | 5-1-1 | 15 | 4 |
| 1982 | Spain | Group stage | 1-2-2 | 4 | 5 |
| 1986 | Mexico | Quarterfinals | 3-1-1 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990 | Italy | Third | 6-0-1 | 10 | 2 |
| 1994 | USA | Round of 16 | 1-1-2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1998 | France | Winner | 7-0-0 | 15 | 2 |
| 2002 | Japan | Round of 16 | 2-1-1 | 5 | 3 |
| 2002 | South Korea | Fourth | 4-1-2 | 8 | 6 |
| 2006 | Germany | Third | 6-0-1 | 14 | 6 |
| 2010 | South Africa | Group stage | 1-1-1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2014 | Brazil | Fourth | 4-1-2 | 11 | 14 |
| 2018 | Russia | Quarterfinals | 3-0-2 | 11 | 7 |
| 2018 | Qatar | Group Stage | 0-0-2 | 1 | 5 |
Do host nations qualify automatically for the World Cup?
Since 1938, host nations have automatically qualified for the World Cup when it is played in their country.
This practice is expected to continue for the forseeable future and ensures host nations are represented at tournaments on their own soil.
Between 1938 and 2002, the World Cup holders were also given an automatic place in the next tournament as a reward for finishing first.
While reigning champions have had to qualify for each tournament after 2002, no team to date has missed out on qualifying for a World Cup after winning the previous edition.
MORE: Where will 2026 FIFA World Cup be played?
2026 World Cup host
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the 2026 tournament will be hosted by three nations in the form of Canada, Mexico and the USA.
In 2002, Japan and South Korea co-hosted the World Cup and both teams managed to qualify for the knockout stages.
Canada, Mexico and the USA will be hoping to enjoy similar success in four years and all three have managed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
