Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup continues to attract criticism. The focus is on both the human rights situation in the host country and the working conditions for migrant workers. A recent study, in which Prof. Dr. Axel Faix from the Faculty of Business Studies at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts was involved conceptually, now reveals sobering opinions and expectations among fans.
The Cologne-based online platform "FanQ" surveyed more than 4,000 soccer fans across Germany for the first part of a year-long series of studies on the World Cup. The majority of the respondents are not euphoric about the World Cup: Very few of them will be watching the World Cup live. Among 16- to 19-year-olds, 37.2 percent want to watch it live, compared to just 25.1 percent of 50- to 59-year-olds.
World Cup anticipation low
Remarkably, people who are actually particularly keen on soccer are turning their backs on the World Cup in Qatar. Of all stadium visitors surveyed, 89.4 percent said that they were much less excited about the current World Cup compared to previous World Cups. As many as 70.9% of them refuse to watch the World Cup live. The lowest level of anticipation for the World Cup compared to previous World Cups is shown by standing-room-only spectators (87.4%).
Contact for questions about the WM study
Prof. Dr. Axel Faix is an expert in strategic management at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and deals with sustainability in sport, among other things.
