World Cup ticket sales near 3 million, says Infantino

FIFA's president Gianni Infantino delivers a video message during a press conference by organizers of the FIFA 2022 football World Cup, in the Qatari capital Doha, on Oct. 17, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 18 October 2022
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World Cup ticket sales near 3 million, says Infantino

  • The top 10 purchasing countries of the 2.89 million tickets sold are Qatar, the US, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, the UAE, Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany

DOHA: Ticket sales for the soccer World Cup are approaching the 3 million mark ahead of the tournament kicking off in Qatar on Nov. 20, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and event organizers said on Monday.

The top 10 purchasing countries of the 2.89 million tickets sold are Qatar, the US, Saudi Arabia, England, Mexico, the UAE, Argentina, France, Brazil and Germany, FIFA’s World Cup Chief Operating Officer Colin Smith told a news conference in Doha.

“There is currently either low or no availability for matches,” Smith said.

Infantino, addressing the conference in a recorded video, said 240,000 hospitality packages had been sold for the month-long tournament, making it the “most successful hospitality program ever,” he said.

Hospitality tickets, which allow access to luxurious stadium lounges, some with free-flowing alcoholic drinks, cost more than $34,300 per person for semifinal matches and the final, according to FIFA’s website.

Qatar, the smallest country to have hosted soccer’s global showpiece tournament, is preparing for an estimated 1.2 million visitors during the World Cup, the first to be held in a Middle Eastern country.

Thousands of fans are expected to stay in neighboring countries like tourism hub the UAE and fly in to Doha for matches due to limited accommodation in Qatar.

The director general of Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee, Yasir Al Jamal, told the news conference that two million room nights had been sold and Qatar has added an additional 30,000 rooms to accommodate last-minute ticket sales.

“This has been designed to ensure that all ticket holders have the best chance of securing accommodation,” Al Jamal said.

With most of the 31,000 or so hotel rooms in Qatar occupied by soccer teams, their support staff and World Cup officials, organizers are offering fans accommodation in apartments, villas, prefabricated metal cabins, desert tents and three cruise ships moored in the Doha port.

Japan will be the first team to arrive for the tournament on Nov. 7, Smith said.


Champions League: Barcelona travels to Newcastle as round of 16 gets underway

Updated 10 March 2026
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Champions League: Barcelona travels to Newcastle as round of 16 gets underway

  • Spanish champions travel to St. James’ Park for the first leg, with coach Hansi Flick leaving his players in no doubt about what’s at stake

Barcelona faces Newcastle as the Champions League round of 16 gets underway on Tuesday.
The Spanish champions travel to St. James’ Park for the first leg, with coach Hansi Flick leaving his players in no doubt about what’s at stake.
“It’s one of the most important moments of the season and we are all ready for it,” he said.
Five-time European champion Barcelona hasn’t won the Champions League since 2015 and has had to watch on as its fiercest rival Real Madrid has dominated the competition.
Flick delivered the Spanish title last season, but his team was knocked out of the Champions League at the semifinals stage. He is aiming to improve on that this time around.
“What I can say is everything here in Barcelona is great,” he said. “I’m here 1 1-2 years and I’m enjoying every single day working with this fantastic team, with these fantastic players, with this staff around.
“Now we are building this club also for the future. This is what we want to do.”
Liverpool travels to Galatasaray on Tuesday and Bayern Munich is away to Atalanta.
Atletico Madrid hosts a Tottenham team that is fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.