How This World Cup Changed Soccer

<p>For weeks, much of the globe has been riveted by the highs and lows of the World Cup in Qatar. On Sunday, the soccer tournament culminated in a win for Argentina and its star, Lionel Messi, against France.</p><p>Here’s how the thrill of the game eclipsed the tournament’s tainted beginnings, and what that might reveal about the future.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/rory-smith?smid=pc-thedaily">Rory Smith</a>, the chief soccer correspondent for The New York Times.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>After a tournament shadowed by controversy, Qatar<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/18/sports/soccer/qatar-world-cup-host.html"> had the turn in the global spotlight it sought</a>.</li><li>This World Cup has blurred the line between the artificial and the authentic, but<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/16/sports/world-cup/qatar.html"> the people, as usual, defined the tournament</a>.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>