FIFA reveals groundbreaking facts and figures as group stage wraps up

Doha: FIFA underlined in a report on Saturday that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the first edition of the FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East, has presented an array of groundbreaking facts and figures as group stage wraps up. The report highlighted a cumulative stadium attendance of 2.45 million spectators. That equals an average of 96% occupancy and is higher than the corresponding 2.17 million figure for the 2018 edition. The highest attendance in the history of the FIFA World Cup since the 1994 final was seen at Lusail Stadium, where 88,966 fans witnessed the Argentina v. Mexico match. On the pitch, the FIFA World Cup has faithfully reflected footballs increased competitiveness, as for the first time ever, teams from all continents have advanced to the round of 16. Likewise, three teams from the AFC (Australia, Japan and Korea Republic) have reached the knockout stages a competition record for the Asian confederation, which previously only had two, in 2002 and 2010. Equally remarkably, for the second time, two African teams (Senegal and Morocco) have reached the knockout stages the last occasion being in 2014, FIFA said. History was also made by Stephanie Frappart, who not only became the first woman to officiate a FIFA World Cup match, but also, together with Neuza Back and Karen D?az Medina, formed the first all-female trio to take charge. Against Ghana, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo achieved another incredible milestone by becoming the first player to score at five editions of the tournament. Many matches have attracted the best audiences of the year in their respective countries, with England v. USA becoming the most watched men's football match on US television ever, FIFA report added. As the group stage wrapped up last night, the FIFA Fan Festival welcomed its one millionth visitor. Besides the official tournament venues, Dohas seaside promenade the Corniche has attracted more than two million people since the start of the tournament, with the traditional Souq Waqif market becoming another hotspot for fans from around the world, according to the report. The most compact FIFA World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1930 is also benefiting fans, teams and media representatives, with the option of attending several matches and entertainment activities per day, while operations continue to run smoothly. During the group stage, the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks notched up 9.19 million trips, with a daily average of 707,032 passengers, FIFA stressed. According to FIFA report, the two international airports are comfortably accommodating the influx of fans and teams so far, 2 million Hayyas (Fan IDs) applications have been received, with fans from Saudi Arabia, India, the USA, the United Kingdom and Mexico at the top of the list for tournament attendance to date. In spite of the unprecedented condensed footprint, with 24 teams staying within a 10km radius of each other, players and officials have also smoothly transferred 3,321 times in and around Doha. CEO of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nasser Al Khater noted the joy of the fans who visited Qatar and enjoyed the festive atmosphere, adding that the cultural exchange through football was enjoyable for all. He looked forward to the excitement of the knockout stage and to welcome thousands of fans from around the world to support their teams as they seek the final match at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18. FIFA COO World Cup Colin Smith said: "Its been a fantastic World Cup, with groundbreaking figures and memorable moments both on and off the pitch. Fans are having an amazing time in Doha, and the whole world is following with excitement on TV as new records as set every day." "What some saw as a challenge, we saw as an opportunity. Teams, media and spectators are enjoying more matches, more festivals, more football, more fun the compact footprint is comfortably addressing the influx of visitors through state-of-the-art infrastructure and thorough operational plans," Smith added. "Together with the host country, we are constantly monitoring and addressing any situation that arises, but the figures already achieved and the fans celebrating together in a joyful and peaceful way throughout this group stage speak for themselves we are on track to deliver a successful and unforgettable FIFA World Cup," he continued. FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger said: "The outcome of the group stage shows the extent to which more countries have acquired the tools to compete at the highest level. This is the result of better preparation and analysis of the opponents, which is also a reflection of a more equal access to technology. It is very much in line with FIFAs efforts to increase footballs competitiveness on a global scale."  

Team Qatar to participate in Arab Golf Championship

Tunisia: Qatar's national golf team will participate in the 2022 edition of Arab Men's Golf Championship to be staged in Tabarka, Tunisia from December 01 to 05. 48 golfers representing 14 Arab countries will take part in the championship, including, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Palestine, and hosts Tunisia. The state of Qatar is represented by Abdulrahman Al Shahrani, Ali Al Shahrani, Salman Al Khenji and Saleh Al Kaabi.

Morocco qualify to knockout stage with 2-1 win over Canada

Doha: Morocco advanced to the round of 16 at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as Group H leaders after defeating Canada 2-1 on Thursday in the final group stage fixture at Al Thumama Stadium.  Morocco's goals came from the Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech in the seventh minute and Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri in minute 23. An own goal from center back Nayef Aguerd in minute 40 made 2-1.  This victory takes Morocco to the knockouts with seven points along with second-placed Croatia whose tally jumped to five points following a goalless draw with Belgium at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.  Belgium who finished third with four points were eliminated along with fourth-placed Canada who received three straight losses.  Morocco are set to clash with Group E runners-up in the round of 16 on Tuesday, while Croatia will face Group E leaders. Group E includes Spain, Germany, Costa Rica and Japan.  This is Morocco's second progression to the knockouts after their 1986 achievement when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 0-1 defeat from Western Germany in a hard-fought game.

Qatar lose to the Netherlands

Doha: Qatar national team lost 0-2 against the Netherlands in their Group A match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday. Cody Gakpo scored the Netherlands' first goal in the 26th minute, while Frenkie de Jong scored the second goal in the 48th minute. With this score, the Netherlands raised their tally to 7 points to qualify for the round of 16 as top of the group, while Qatar encountered their third loss in the tournament to bid farewell to the tournament with no points. The Qatari national team started their first World Cup show up by losing 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening match and then losing 3-1 to Senegal in their second match in Group A.  

Hosts Qatar to take on Netherlands in FIFA World Cup Group A Game

DOHA – Hosts Qatar football team will shake hands with Netherlands in their third and final Group A match of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022  in Doha on Tuesday. Making Qatar’s task doubly difficult at the Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday is the fact that the Dutchmen will be primed to strike so that they can confirm their place in the round of 16. After two rounds, Louis van Gaal’s men share the top spot on the table with Ecuador. Both the teams are on four points, followed by Senegal (3) while Qatar do not have a point. The hosts would love to create an upset and finish on a high but realistically, they would do well to produce a competitive display. Felix Sanchez’s men failed to do that against Ecuador in the opening match while they did much better against Senegal, losing 0-2 and 1-3 respectively. The Asian Cup champions can play good football but unfortunately, they have fallen short of their standards. Sanchez admitted the Netherlands would be difficult opponents. “It’ll be a very tough game against the Netherlands. They’re a strong outfit, have some excellent players and looking at history, they have competed in three World Cup finals. Our aim is to deliver a competitive performance,” he said. To do that, Qatar would have to stay focused right through, avoid mistakes of the kind they made against Senegal, and adopt a positive approach. Smaller teams have sparkled at this World Cup and Qatar would do well to draw inspiration from those results.

Sheikh Joaan attends OCA Advisory Committee meeting

Doha- The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani attended virtually the Advisory Committee meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held today at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland.  During the meeting, topics on the agenda were discussed and reviewed, with a key focus on enhancing the Asian common work in the field of sport and Asian Olympic Movement.