Organisers claim stadium attendance ‘in excess of 96%’ for Qatar's World Cup

Following Argentina’s penalty shoot-out win in yesterday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, local organisers have claimed they have delivered on their promise to ‘Expect Amazing’ with attendances at games throughout the tournament achieving average attendance of 53,000 fans per match and overall capacity in excess of 96%.

Ahead of the game, organisers announced that more than 1.4 million international fans had visited Qatar for the World Cup 2022, with the Final going on to host an officially attendance of 88,966 at Lusail Stadium, capacity at the showpiece venue of the World Cup.

Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy also advised of a cumulative attendance of 3.4 million across the tournament’s venues.

However, Qatar’s official attendance figures have been questioned during the tournament, with empty seats visible at many matches. Even during yesterday’s final drew questions, areas of empty seats could be seen by viewers of the broadcast around the world.

Reports suggested that the empty seats may have been the result of fans experiencing difficulties entering that Stadium and on those in corporate hospitality delaying taking up their seats.

Earlier in the tournament, organisers revised venue capacities as questions were raised over attendance announcements.

One example saw Lusail Stadium have its official capacity lifted by almost 10% from 80,000 to 88,966.

Overall, the World Cup in Qatar ranked third in the fan attendance in the history of the championship (3,404,252 fans), while the World Cup in America 1994 topped the list with 3,587,538 fans, and the Brazil 2014 came second with an attendance of 3,429,873 fans.

Organisers claimed on Sunday that “many thousands” of fans attended more than one match per day due to the compact nature of the tournament, with all eight stadia located within an hour’s journey time of central Doha.

Meanwhile, speaking at Friday’s FIFA Council meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed Qatar 2022 as the “best ever” World Cup, adding that the tournament saw “football reinforce its unique cohesive power by uniting the world in a spirit of peace and friendship”.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and Chairman of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 added “in 2010, we told the world to ‘Expect Amazing’ - and we have delivered on that promise in spectacular fashion. This has been an incredible edition of the FIFA World Cup - and one that will set a benchmark for future mega event hosts.

“We are very proud to have hosted a compact, accessible and family-friendly FIFA World Cup. This tournament has provided a platform for cultural exchange on a level not seen before in history. Fans from far and wide experienced Qatari and Arab culture for the first time and were always in the thick of the action - never far from a stadium, accommodation or entertainment activation.

“The feedback we have had from all stakeholders, including fans, players, the media, volunteers and tournament officials, has been overwhelmingly positive. Smooth transport operations have made it easy to get around and everybody has immersed themselves in the party atmosphere across the country.

“We have no doubt this tournament will leave a huge legacy for the country and region - socially, economically and environmentally.”

Images: Attendance at yesterday evening’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Final at Qatar's Lusail Stadium (top) and the Lusail Stadium with the World Cup trophy (below). Credit: Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.