FIFA President Gianni Infantino says that one million fans have so far attended matches at the World Cup being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In remarks posted on Tuesday, Infantino credits supporters for filling stadiums and for helping bring what FIFA describes as the tournament’s “most inclusive” character to life.
The World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, started last Thursday and 16 of the scheduled 104 matches have been played as of Tuesday, according to reports from AFP. Coverage also notes that interest and attendance come amid broader concerns raised during the lead-up to the tournament. Critics have focused on the cost of tickets for matches, and there have also been reports of visa restrictions that affect fans from certain countries trying to enter the United States to watch games.
Taken together, the reports present Infantino’s attendance milestone alongside the continuing public debate about access to the tournament.
