FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on social media that the FIFA World Cup group stage has concluded and the Round of 16 is approaching, with the tournament's popularity continuing to surge.

Infantino emphasized that the tournament has generated unprecedented numbers and global participation from the outset, reflecting its worldwide impact. He wrote: "This group stage was incredible! Forty-eight nations, including four debutant teams, made history on the global stage. Over 4.6 million fans attended matches across the 16 host cities, making this the most-attended FIFA World Cup in history."

Infantino also highlighted the tournament's technical and tactical quality and entertainment value. He stated: "Many stars, including Messi and Ronaldo, delivered outstanding performances, while new heroes from different countries continue to emerge. A record number of goals has brought immense passion to our incredible fans, and we continue to demonstrate football's unifying power. This is the FIFA World Cup 2022, and the greatest show on Earth!"

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