Qatar accused of giving false World Cup attendance numbers higher than the actual stadium capacities

Qatar has been accused of inflating the attendance figures of the World Cup figures so much so that they exceed the stadium capacities.

FoxSports reports the World Cup host nation may have some explaining to do after some eagle-eyed statisticians realise that the official crowds were listed well above the official capacity for each venue.

Between photos and footage of plenty of empty seats, it’d be safe to assume many of the games didn’t actually even reach capacity.

But that hasn’t stopped Qatar from allegedly adding a fair few more fans into those stadiums.

The opening game of the World Cup was announced as having 67,372 in attendance whereas the official capacity of Al Bayt Stadium is 60,000.

England against Iran was announced as having 45,334 watching in the stadium, while the Khalifas International Stadium only officially holds 40,000.

Netherlands' matchup against Senegal was said to have 41,721 inside a 40,000-capacity Al Thumama Stadium.

And USA’s fixture against Wales was held in a 40,000-capacity Ahamd Bin Ali Stadium with an announced attendance of 43,418.

A staggering 17,845 have been squeezed into the stadiums that they shouldn’t be able to fit inside.

Photos taken during Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Senegal showed entire sections of the stadium empty when the Dutch were celebrating a late goal.

"More empty seats at Senegal-Netherlands than at a haemorrhoids sufferers' convention," Paddy Power noted in typical fashion.

Alamy.

Another fan pointed out that other games had also seen empty seats, adding, "The amount of empty seats at every stadium genuinely makes this tournament feel like the covid Euros."

"This is f**king shambolic, thousands of empty seats, again," a Dutch fan said.

Canadian journalist Joe Callaghan noted, "We’re 30mins in at Al Thumama Stadium and there are still banks and rows of empty seats. This is arguably the best game of the first week, in joint-smallest venue. If they can’t sell this one out…"

A fourth fan added, "Never thought a World Cup group stage game between the Netherlands and Senegal would have so many empty seats... sad to see."

SPORTbible reached out to Qatar for comment.

Topics: Qatar, Football World Cup, Football

Jayden Collins

Jayden Collins is a Journalist at SPORTbible. He has worked across multiple media platforms in areas such as sport, music, pop culture, entertainment and politics. He is part of the editorial team for LADbible Australia.