Ifantino, FIFA President
The 22nd FIFA world cup ended in Qatar on Sunday 18th December with Argentina lifting the cup for the 3rd time after winning it in 1978 and 1986 in 18 appearances and six at the grand finale having lost it in 1950, 1990 and 2014 at that stage.
It was a frenzy of a final for the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai said on Monday that Google Search recorded its highest ever traffic in 25 years during the final in Qatar. Pichar tweeted: “It was like the entire world was searching about one thing.”
World Cup 2022: Fifa to reconsider format of 2026 edition after ‘best ever’ tournament
Argentina had beaten defending Champions, France 4-2 on penalties after 2-2 at extra time making 120 minutes of dramatic football first to be decided on penalties. Lionel Messi a prolific footballer trending under the argument of who is the Greatest of All the best players between Brazil’s Pele and Messi Argentina lifted the 18 Carat Gold trophy in a special wear provided by the Qatari Government.
Tuesday, 20th December was declared public holiday in Argentina to receive the victorious Argentine team at the Obelisk, the monument that is the traditional epicenter of sporting celebrations for which Messi said “It is great to be celebrating with my people”.
Fans were at Paris Place De La Concorde on Monday to welcome the French Team. Fans released fireworks, sang ‘Allez Les Bleus’ and the team waved frantically from the balcony of the prestigious Hotel the Collon. The Coach, Didier Deschamps, team Captain Hugo Lloris and others gave synchronized waving but when Kylian Mbappe appeared, the crowd roared. French President, Emmanuel Macron had left the VIP box after the match, walked straight to a dejected Mbappe and consoled him with Hugo assisting.
But Journalists were not happy with Argentina that rendered obscene and disparaging songs at the mixed zone which were directed at the media people with Messi disappointingly leading them. The International Sports Press, AIPS demanded for apologies from Messi and his team on two premises. Gianni Mario who wrote on behalf of the Journalists argued: He may be a lauded billionaire but he has to respect those who have contributed with enthusiasm and no self-interest, to creating his myth.
“In addition to being great players, they should also be role models in life, because they have become rich thanks to everyone”.
Argentina dominated the individual awards of the Qatar 2022 world cup with Lionel Messi aged 35 in his last world cup out declared as Golden Ball Award winner for the most valuable player of the tournament, his second win. Kylian Mbappe of France won the Sliver Ball and Captain of Croatia, Luka Modric was third best with the Bronze Ball award.
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden boot for the highest goal scorers’ award with 8 goals; Lionel Messi got the Silver boot with 7 goals and Oliver Giroud took the bronze boot.
The Golden Gloves went to the Argentine Goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez who saved to penalties in the finals.
Argentine Enzo Fernandez aged 21 won the Young player award of Qatar 2022 taking over from Kylian Mbappe who won the award in 2018. Enzo played all seven matches at the group and Knockout stages.
Three countries got a red card each namely Wales; Cameroon and Morocco. Argentina got the highest number of yellow cards which is 16; Saudi 14 and Netherlands 11. Argentina got the highest foul calls of 111; Croatia was next with 94 and France 89. Incidentally, the two players that ever bagged two red cards at the world cup, Rigobert Song of Cameroon (1994 and 1998) and Zinnedine Zidane (1998 and 2006) are now coaches. Rigobert led Cameroon to Qatar world cup and Zidane is lined up as new French Coach.
A total of 172 goals were scored in 64 games so played making an average of 2.69 goals per match. A total of 3,404,252 fans came to watch matches which are 53,191 fans per match. The total attendance in Qatar is 94.7% of the world record of attendance of 3,954,042 gotten at USA 94.
England that prides herself as the home of football won the Fair Play trophy.
FIFA President, Giani Infantino did ‘BUGA’ for the world as he pronounced the Qatar world cup as the best ever. He is proposing the world cup be staged every three years. He had proposed four years before to have it every two years supported by Arsene Wenger but was voted against by EUFA and CONMEBOL who are strong affiliates of FIFA. FIFA had been parading 32 teams at the Mundial since 1998 in France but next one in 2026 will be having 48 teams with Africa having nine slots and to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
There were many spectacular things at Qatar 2022. It was the first time that penalties decided the winner at the grand finale. Mbappe scored a hat trick at the finals. That was when we had 54 hat tricks in 800 matches. The first was from Bart Patanauda of USA against Peru in 1930 and last from Mbappe last Sunday in Qatar. The only world cup without hat trick was in Germany 2006. There were eight hat tricks at Switzerland 1954. Gabriel Bastituta of Argentina is the only player to score two hat tricks at two world cups. Geoff Hurst scored the last hat trick at a grand finale in 1966 final.
The stadium 974 built with maritime containers were already being dismantled after the round of 16 matches. The rule says all stake holders must respect the laws of the host countries and that of FIFA. It was cumbersome for fans to obey no alcohol law inside the stadium as some put the spirit inside funny containers. The Arab nation outlawed improper dressings but after Argentina won the cup an Argentine babe bared her breasts which were beamed to the world on television. FIFA says if found she may go to jail for nudity.
Qatar was said to be the most expensive ever with $220bn but the Organizing CEO, Nassar Al Khatar said true cost is $8bn. FIFA earned $7.5bn in revenues from ticket sales and rights which is an increase of $1bn from earning in 2018. Revenue of $4.7bn was projected for Qatar games. Already $11bn is being projected for 2026 games. Reports say the 2022 expenses were reduced because all activities were within 50km radius which reduced cost of additional infrastructures and travelling expenses.
Total $440m prize money is on the line from FIFA. The Champion on December 18, Argentina carts home $42m and the runners-up, France $30m. The Bronze medalist, Croatia bags $27m; 4th place holder, Morocco $25m; teams ousted at the Quarterfinals placing 5th to 8th (four of them) will take $17m each; the 8teams of the round of 16, placing 9th to 16th will each pocket $13m costing $104m and other teams that placed 17th to 32nd (16 teams) will take $9m each costing $144m.
It has been very tedious covering 56 matches for you with previews at Knockout stages and reviews after group stages; the round of 16; Quarter finals and semifinals. All these were done without adverts; any sponsor for Data; generating power; researches or any comfort whatsoever. Great thanks to God for grace not to fall sick for working at odd hours. Thank you to my wife who had to endure hardship like a good Soldier especially at my shouts and intolerance of many mistakes along the line. The Children were not around unlike the Russia 2018 and I miss my second son, Titobiloluwa who had always been the ICT man. We could not publish through our online media, Patmos Media Line for logistic reasons. Thanks to members of the Church I Pastor who could hardly relate to me as I combined Cleric work with Journalism. I lost my social freedom and canceled many functions including where I ought to minister even at marriage ceremonies.
We hope you enjoyed all our reports. Thank you for your prayers, calls and corrections.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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