Viewing figures just released.

3.572 billion people watched the tournament - over half the entire world population, aged over 4.

The final was viewed by 1.12 billion.

And the next tournament will be bigger, with more teams.


Question is - why does everyone follow this particular game...

Barney wrote:
Viewing figures just released.

3.572 billion people watched the tournament - over half the entire world population, aged over 4.

The final was viewed by 1.12 billion.

And the next tournament will be bigger, with more teams.


Question is - why does everyone follow this particular game...





I don't.

I am not really a fan of football. Yet I do like a the early rounds of FA Cup, knockout stages of Champions League and the World Cup. It's a rare opportunity to the neutral fan to enjoy the sport.

As I don't follow any football team whatsoever it's hard for me to watch Premier League. I simply because I don't care who wins or loses.

Why are the Fifa, video games so popular when it's the same game engine from the year before?

How does an international support a T20 franchise team?

Its strange to think that in more or less 4 years to the day we could be sitting down to watch the Quater World Cup final, yes the final will be in late December 2022, that is going to be very strange indeed to come back from Christmas shopping to watch the world cup final

Qatar will be the first Arab and Muslim country to host the World Cup - with the final on 18th December.

The stadiums are currently being built (or renovated) - with technology to reduce expected 36°c temperatures.

Leagues all over the world will be affected - with the need for mid-season breaks to accommodate the tournament.

Future finals after Qatar (the 22nd) will have 48 teams - instead of the usual 32.


But, it will be very interesting to see how Qatar - a very small country - handles things.

For example, the almost universal demand for alcohol!

A pal - who has been to Doha - tells me that Qatar is only half the size of Wales!

Time zone, though, is close to that of the UK.

So, no late night viewing etc.