Zurich (Switzerland), January 18 (QNA) – International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced on Wednesday that around 5 billion people have engaged with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and close to 1.5 billion around the world watched a pulsating Final between Argentina and France.
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In a report published on its official website, FIFA stated that one month to the day since Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni and La Albiceleste lifted the trophy, it reviews some facts and figures from on and off the pitch, that reflect the sheer scale of the biggest single sporting event on the planet.
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The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was enjoyed inside the stadiums by 3.4 million spectators – up from 3 million in 2018 – who were treated to a historic tournament. 172 goals ensured that Qatar 2022 became the highest scoring FIFA World Cup in history, eclipsing the previous highest total of 171, in both 1998 and 2014. Three matches at Lusail Stadium, including the Final, saw the highest attendance for a match registered at a FIFA World Cup since USA 1994 when Brazil played Italy in front of 94,194 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadenathe, the report said.
It was a tournament too of notable contributions from some of footballs heavyweights. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022) while Lionel Messi became the first player to score in four successive knockout stage matches in a FIFA World Cup since the round of 16 was introduced into the modern era, at Mexico 86. Messi also passed another landmark when he made his 26th FIFA World Cup appearance in the final, overtaking the record previously held by Lothar Matthaus.
The report added that the fastest goal came after just 68 seconds when Canada’s Alphonso Davies, 22, scored against Croatia. At just 18 years and 110 days, Spainās Gavi became the youngest goal scorer at a World Cup since PelĆ© in 1958, with a stunning strike during the 7-0 win against Costa Rica.
In concluding its report, FIFA outlined that no tournament could run without the incredible hard work behind the scenes. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was supported by 20,000 volunteers, selected from 150 nationalities. 17,000 volunteers were residents of Qatar; 3,000 were international. The volunteers ranged in age from 18 to 77 years old. In total, there were 180,000 accredited people working to make the tournament a success, including more than 10,000 media representatives who shared their impressions and images with the world as football history was being made.
Qatar 2022 also featured a number of firsts in the areas of workers welfare and sustainability. This was the first FIFA World Cup to offer audio-descriptive commentary for blind and partially sighted fans globally through the internet, with the service being available in English and Arabic. Three stadiums hosted sensory rooms for fans with sensory access requirements, while every match venue was built to exacting accessibility standards, including accessible parking, seating, bathrooms, and concession stands, the report said. (QNA)