DOHA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hailed the opening stages of the World Cup as the “best ever” after completion of the eight groups, high attendances and some record television figures.

Infantino – actually 40 years younger than the World Cup – praised the quality of the football involving the 32 teams who competed in the group stage as well as passion expressed by fans in the stadia and fan parks around Qatar.

He said: “I have seen all the matches, indeed, and put very simply and very clearly, this has been the best group stage of a FIFA World Cup ever. So, it’s very promising for the remainder of the FIFA World Cup.

“The matches have been of great quality in beautiful stadiums – we knew that already – however, as well, the public who was there was incredible. Over 51,000 on average.

“We already had more than two billion TV viewers, which is incredible. Two-and-a-half million people in the streets of Doha and a few hundred thousand every day in the stadiums, all together, cheering together, supporting their teams, fantastic atmosphere, great goals, incredible excitement and surprises.”

A key pillar of Infantino’s personal mission has been working with member associations and confederations to increase global competitiveness. In 2022, following the completion of the group stage, and for the first time in tournament history, teams from all continents were represented in the last 16.

Among those competing in this stage were three nations from the Asian Football Confederation – another tournament first – and two from African for just the second time.

Infantino added: “There are no more small teams and no more big teams. The level is very equal. For the first time as well, national teams from all continents going to the knock-out phase, for the first time in history. This shows that football is really becoming truly global.”

Figures published at the end of the group stage showed a cumulative attendance of 2.45m for the first 48 games, while the first knockout round featured a total of 28 goals over the eight games played – the most since the round of 16 was introduced in 1986.

Infantino, looking ahead, added: “We hope that the FIFA World Cup continues and concludes as it has started – a fantastic success. I am sure that we will reach the five billion viewers around the world.

“When it comes to stadium attendances, the stadiums are sold-out, full practically at every match. The fan festivals, the different fan zones, are also very crowded with people celebrating and enjoying [themselves].

“At the end [of the day], we simply want to give some joy and some smiles to people all over the world. That’s what football is about, that’s what the FIFA World Cup is about, and that’s what should also happen from now until the end.”

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