"Best group phase ever": Infantino raves about the scandalous World Cup

Created: 12/08/2022 10:13 am

By: Corbinian Kothny

In just over a week and a half, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be history again.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is enthusiastic about the progress so far.

Munich

– The 2022 World Cup is entering the critical phase.

On Friday the quarter-final pairings begin with Croatia versus Brazil.

In just one and a half weeks, the new world champion will be crowned on Sunday, December 18th.

One person in particular is satisfied with the course of the World Cup so far – Gianni Infantino, as reported by tz.de.

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World Cup in Qatar: average audience of 51,000 according to Infantino

"I saw all the games, and to put it simply and clearly, this was the best group stage of a World Cup that has ever existed," said the Swiss in a video distributed by the World Football Association on Wednesday.

"The games in the beautiful stadiums were very, very high quality, that was already clear.

And also the audience at the games was incredible”, Infantino.

The 52-year-old spoke of an average audience of over 51,000.

Gianni Infantino is happy with how the World Cup has gone so far.

© IMAGO/Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock

World Cup in Qatar: Latin American and Arab fans create a great atmosphere

Of the eight stadiums, six were specially built for the World Cup, while the other two were modernized at great expense.

One of the stadiums is even being dismantled.

Even though the World Cup isn't even over yet.

Spectator interest will be discussed during the finals.

In particular, fans of the Latin American and Arab teams created a World Cup atmosphere in the arenas.

However, many seats in the stadiums often remained empty until shortly before kick-off.

These are the most beautiful fan pictures from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

View photo gallery

World Cup in Qatar: fewer spectators in Germany

When the hosts lost their opening match against Ecuador, numerous spectators had already left the stadium in the second half.

European fans – including those from Germany – were clearly outnumbered in Qatar.

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Twelve days before the final: Qatar is already dismantling the World Cup

According to Infantino (52), "more than two billion viewers" have already watched the World Cup games on TV.

In Germany, the odds had dropped significantly compared to previous tournaments.

Olympic Games 2036 in Qatar?

"It's really incredible: two and a half million people on the streets of Doha and several hundred thousand every day in the stadiums all celebrating, cheering, cheering for their teams, fantastic atmosphere, great goals and unbelievable excitement," Infantino said.

If Qatar has its way as the host, the World Cup will not be the last major sporting event in the emirate.

Due to the successful implementation of the World Cup so far, the desert state is considering applying to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

(kk/dpa)