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FIFA President Hails 2022 World Cup For Having “Best Group Stage Ever”

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino walks after speaking with President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Washington.

The 2022 World Cup has been hailed as the “best group stage ever” by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino. Speaking in Qatar, Infantino praised the tournament’s record-breaking group stage and historic knock-out phase.

“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”, he said joyfully.

National teams from all continents reach the knock-out phase

Infantino also highlighted the record-breaking TV figures, with over two billion viewers, and the fact that national teams from all continents have reached the knock-out phase for the first time in history. “This shows that football is really becoming truly global,” he added. Festivals in Qatar have gathered fans from all over the world and the different fan zones were also very crowded.

Excitement builds for final phase of the tournament

Looking ahead to the final phase of the World Cup campaign, Infantino said: “We reach the top competitive phase where, of course, the big stars, the big players, the big teams, will make the difference on the pitch. So I hope, and I’m sure, we will see a fantastic conclusion of this World Cup.”

The first two quarter-finals – between Croatia and Brazil, and Netherlands and Argentina – take place on 9th December, with the second two – Morocco versus Portugal and England against France, a day later on the 10th.