FIFA President Gianni Infantino hails World Cup group stages, calls it ‘best ever’

Infantino said that the game has become more global as multiple upsets and the geographic breadth of the team’s progress were witnessed at a higher level this time.

“I have seen all the matches, indeed, and put very simply and very clearly, this has been the best group stage of a World Cup ever. So it’s very promising for the remainder of the World Cup. But the matches have been of great, great quality in beautiful stadiums – we knew that already. However, as well, the public who was there was incredible,” Gianni said.

“Over 51,000 on average. Record-breaking figures on TV – we already had over two billion viewers, which is really incredible,” Gianni said.

“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, surprises, small teams beating big teams,” the President further added.

Qatar has offered luxury treatment to the President, which he has been enjoying during the World Cup. The President believes that the World Cup in Qatar can be remembered as a ‘fantastic success’, despite being the most controversial in history.

To accommodate 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup, which would be spread across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Infantino successfully pushed for the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.

FAQs:

1. Who is Gianni Infantino?
   Gianni Infantino is the President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
2. Where is the FIFA World Cup 2022 taking place?
   FIFA World Cup 2022 is taking place in Qatar.