Infantino compared the World Cup 22 in Qatar with the World Cup 18 in Russia: the findings surprised

The head of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, summed up the results of the group stage and the 1/8 finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Speaking to the media, the official tried his best to convince everyone that the current tournament is the best in history. But is this really so, and for whom were Signor Gianni’s revelations really intended? “MK” understands the true reasons for the bravura statements of the President of FIFA.

The 22nd World Championship is gradually approaching its denouement. On December 6, the last participants of the quarter-final were determined – Portugal blew the Swiss 6-1 to smithereens, and Morocco sensationally beat the Spaniards, being more accurate in the penalty shoot-out. This is the biggest success of the Moroccans in the history of the championships, the Atlas Lions fans celebrated not only in their own country, but throughout Europe, smashing cities and fighting with the police. Everything as usual.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke to the media on December 7, summing up the intermediate results of the tournament. According to his data, there really is something to be proud of the international federation. The global television audience of the competition has already exceeded two billion people. Matches in Qatar were attended by more than two million people. Another million people attended the Fan Fest in the emirate.

As for the spectators in the stands of the stadiums, their number still needs to be clarified, since at some matches, according to FIFA statistics, there were much more than the maximum capacity of these stadiums. And empty seats were visible on TV broadcasts, which MK already wrote about. Yes, and the size of the TV audience is a rather relative concept, largely dependent on the calculation methodology.

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Nevertheless, this did not stop Infantino from making a number of high-profile statements.

Without false modesty, he called the group stage and round of 16 “the best in the history of the tournament”, based on record attendance and television figures around the world, as well as the number of visitors at the Doha Fan Fest. According to the FIFA President, this proves the exceptional popularity of the current championship among fans representing all countries of the world. At the same time, he noted the good quality of football shown by the teams in past matches.

“I really saw all the matches, and I will say very simply and clearly: this was the best group stage of the World Cup.

The matches were of excellent quality in beautiful stadiums – we already knew that. However, the audience was incredible. The average attendance of the games was 51 thousand people.

Record match viewing figures – we already had over two billion viewers, which is really incredible. Two and a half million people on the streets of Doha and several hundred thousand every day in the stadiums, all together supporting their teams, fantastic atmosphere, great goals, incredible excitement and sensations,” said Infantino.

Another significant achievement was the first-ever participation in the playoffs of teams from all continents. Including three teams represented the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and two teams of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). These are very important factors for the global development of football.

“There are no more small teams or big teams. The level is very, very equal. For the first time in history, teams from all continents reached the playoffs. This shows that football is really becoming truly global,” the FIFA president reported. Then he returned to the statistics of views and attendance.

“Record numbers on television – we already had over two billion viewers, which is really incredible. Figures released at the end of the group stage showed a total attendance of 2.45 million for the first 48 games. In the round of 16, 28 goals were scored in eight games played; more than ever since the new tournament format was introduced in 1986.

Therefore, I really hope that this World Cup will end the same way it began – with a fantastic success. I am sure that we will reach five billion viewers worldwide. In terms of stadium attendance, tickets for all remaining matches are almost completely sold out.

Ultimately, we just want to bring some joy to people all over the world. This is the essence of football, this is the essence of the World Cup,” Infantino concluded his speech.

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Did we hear something new? No. Not so long ago, the same person was shouting on every corner that the best tournament ever was the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Now it’s Qatar’s turn.

Championship and the truth is very interesting. Rich in sensations and scandals. Yes, and tactical novelties, the current state of football, the prospects for its development on a global scale are nowhere seen as well as at the World Cup. And it is quite natural that Qatar is different from all previous competitions. In some ways superior to them, and in some ways inferior to them.

The main thing in the next performance of Infantino was completely different. He really needs to show his partners and sponsors that everything is just fine. So that they forget all the scandals and troubles, according to which the 22nd championship is really far ahead of all its predecessors. And this has a very bad effect on the joint business with FIFA. In addition, not far off, by historical standards, the next championship in 2026, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. And if everything is so wonderful in Qatar, then advertising contracts for the new tournament should not be reduced, but, on the contrary, increased. Otherwise, why would Infantino and all his people be needed in the leadership of FIFA?