Introduction. Previous evidence indicates that it appears to be possible to identify a pattern of success (playing styles) in football using principal components analysis or k-means clustering approaches. However, until now, little is known about the topic in teams that participated in football world cups. Aim of Study. This study aimed to verify if a successful playing style exists in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (2022-WC). The second aim is to intensify playing style behavior between Confederations. Material and Methods. Data was collected from the 32 teams that competed in the 2022-WC. The 2022-WC resulted in 64 games and produced a total of 128 data points and 68 variables. A machine learning approach (k-means cluster) was used to identify playing style behaviors in the 2022-WC competition. Results. The k-mean clustering identified three different playing style during ball possession and without ball possession game phases (all P < 0.001). Also, we identify significant associations (all P = 0.016) between the team`s playing style and their strength in the 2022-WC (i.e., FIFA ranking and 2022-WC final classification). With ball possession playing style, successful teams adopt high ball possession, building games, and high player movement (offering to receive and to receive the ball). In contrast, unsuccessful teams tend to adopt direct play, set pieces, and lower player movement. Without ball possession playing style, successful teams adopt high-block and high-press, counter-press, and recovery, while unsuccessful teams adopt low-block or mid-block and lower-press (passive approach to recover the ball). Finally, a significative association between confederations (all P < 0.01) and playing style exists during 2022- WC. In conclusion, in the 2022-WC, playing style is significantly associated with team strength and confederations. Conclusions. A clear successful playing style existed in the 2022-WC, and this information should provide direction for the national team`s preparation for the next FIFA WC.
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