Sports
Records, Facts Emerge From FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
By Adedapo Adesanya
One month after La Albiceleste of Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar, some facts and figures from on and off the pitch have emerged from the Federation of the International Football Association (FIFA), strengthening the argument that the once-every-four-year tournament is the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Early figures suggest that around 5 billion people engaged with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, following tournament content across an array of platforms and devices across the media universe. On social media, according to Nielsen, there have been 93.6 million posts across all platforms, with a 262 billion cumulative reach and 5.95 billion engagements.
The tournament was enjoyed inside the stadiums by 3.4 million spectators – up from 3 million in 2018 – who were treated to a historic tournament.
A total of 172 goals were scored, making Qatar 2022 the highest-scoring FIFA World Cup in history, eclipsing the previous highest total of 171 in both 1998 and 2014.
Three matches at Lusail Stadium, including the final between Argentina and France, saw the highest attendance for a match registered at a FIFA World Cup since USA 1994 when Brazil played Italy in front of 94,194 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
It was a tournament, too, of notable contributions from some of football’s heavyweights. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first man to score at five FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022), while Lionel Messi became the first player to score in four successive knockout stage matches in a FIFA World Cup since the round of 16 was introduced into the modern era, at Mexico ‘86. Messi also passed another landmark when he made his 26th FIFA World Cup appearance in the final, overtaking the record previously held by Lothar Matthäus.
The fastest goal came after just 68 seconds when Canada’s Alphonso Davies, 22, scored against Croatia. At just 18 years and 110 days, Spain’s Gavi became the youngest goal scorer at a World Cup since Pelé in 1958, with a stunning strike during the 7-0 win against Costa Rica.
Other notable achievements include Stéphanie Frappart becoming the first woman in FIFA World Cup history to referee a finals match. Together with assistants Neuza Back and Karen Diaz, she composed the first-ever female trio to officiate in the tournament.
The eight group stage winners included teams from four different confederations for only the third time and the first in 20 years (1986, 2002, 2022); three teams from the AFC reached the round of 16 for the first time in FIFA World Cup history; Qatar 2022 was the first time an African team made it to the semi-final, with Morocco’s incredible campaign uniting the Middle East and Arab world.
About 1.85 million visitors attended the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha, which had its very own anthem for the first time – Tukoh Taka was one of the nine songs of the first-ever FIFA World Cup Official Soundtrack, which generated 450 million views on YouTube.
In a record-breaking first, FIFA+ live-streamed the entire tournament in Brazil, partnering with the likes of YouTube streamer Casimiro and Brazilian legend Ronaldo to deliver an innovative and engaging product to a new generation of fans.
All global and regional sponsorship packages were sold out, with the 32 commercial affiliates activating more than 600 special marketing programmes.
Behind the scenes, Qatar 2022 was supported by 20,000 volunteers selected from 150 nationalities. A total of 17,000 volunteers were residents of Qatar; 3,000 were international. The volunteers ranged in age from 18 to 77 years old.
In total, there were 180,000 accredited people working to make the tournament a success, including more than 10,000 media representatives who shared their impressions and images with the world as football history was being made.
Qatar 2022 also featured a number of firsts in the areas of workers’ welfare and sustainability. This was the first FIFA World Cup to offer audio-descriptive commentary for blind and partially sighted fans globally through the internet, with the service being available in English and Arabic.
Three stadiums hosted sensory rooms for fans with sensory access requirements, while every match venue was built to exacting accessibility standards, including accessible parking, seating, bathrooms, and concession stands.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading financial services groups in Africa, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, is championing great experiences and heritage by being the main sponsor of NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament.
The competition is one of Africa’s oldest and most prestigious sporting events and for this year’s edition, it will bring together top local and international polo teams and spectators from across the continent and beyond.
The contest commenced on Tuesday, January 27 at the Lagos Polo Club in Ikoyi and will end on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The 2026 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament will feature top‑tier teams competing for major prizes, including the Majekodunmi Cup, Independence Cup, Open Cup, Silver Cup and Low Cup, among others.
Guests can expect a fusion of thrilling equestrian action, polo-inspired lifestyle showcase, and curated hospitality experiences. The event will also be livestreamed, allowing audiences online to share in the excitement and spectacle.
Commenting on GTCO’s role as main sponsor of the Lagos International Polo Tournament, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Segun Agbaje, said, “This tournament, one of the oldest in Africa, celebrates not only the noble sport of polo but the values we hold dear as a brand: teamwork, discipline, fair play, and a commitment to excellence.
“Beyond the field, it showcases Nigeria and Africa to a global audience, reinforcing the continent’s place on the world stage. Our longstanding sponsorship of the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament reflects our conviction that sport can amplify opportunity, foster connections, and deliver world-class experiences for all.”
The NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament has long been celebrated not only for its thrilling competition and equestrian excellence but also for its rich heritage and cultural resonance within Africa’s sporting tradition. GTCO’s sponsorship embodies the Group’s commitment to creating platforms that unite communities and drive social impact across diverse audiences.
If you’re looking for a fun, reliable, and exciting online betting experience in Nigeria, you’re in the right place. PariPesa Nigeria brings together casino entertainment, sports betting, and modern gaming options designed just for you. Let’s break it all down.
Casino Games
At PariPesa Nigeria, the casino lobby is brimming with exciting games. They are split into categories to help you navigate. You can search for titles using the search bar or narrow down the type of game you enjoy using the filter menu on the left-hand side of the page.
The filters on the left let you pick based on provider, feature, theme, and game types. If there is a title you particularly like, you can also favorite it! There are two separate categories of casino entertainment that depend on your individual casino activity. Recent games are all the ones you have tried, and the favorites section, as you can guess, lists the ones you starred.
Take a look at the main categories of games available.
Slots
Slots are the most popular casino games. They’re beginner-friendly, simple to follow, and you can try them for free in demo mode! At PariPesa Nigeria, you’ll find classic, video, and jackpot slots. Some have Nigerian-themed designs, bright colors, and sound effects that bring the experience close to home.
Table games
Are you a blackjack fan or do you prefer to watch the wheel spin in roulette? Either way, PariPesa Nigeria has a large selection of table games for you to choose from. You will find multiple variations of these titles, along with tables with varying betting ranges. Poker has by far the largest number of variants.
Crash games
These games have extremely quick rounds, so understand the mechanics before you place any real money bets. The concept is simple, really: a multiplier increases, and you cash out before an object “crashes.” The longer you wait, the higher your potential win, but if it crashes before you cash out, you lose that round. Aviator, Chicken Crash, and Doodle Crash are among the more popular games in this category.
Live casino games
Those tired of playing against generated algorithms will find live casino games a welcome break. At PariPesa, you can play poker, blackjack, roulette, and more against a live croupier. You can interact with your dealer and watch everything that happens in real time through video streaming. Remember that these tables are time sensitive, so you will have to place your bets before the window closes, and no, you cannot demo these games.
Sports Betting
Nigerians love sports, and what better way is there to be a part of the action than betting? Football is obviously the favorite, but you can also wager on over 150 sports at PariPesa. You can use the in-house statistics to make well informed bets on your preferred teams and players. Furthermore, the betting markets at PariPesa are top-notch.
- Over/Under
- Total Score
- Match Winner
These are only some of the many, many bets you can place.
eSports
eSports are a hit among young Nigerians. Games like FIFA, CS:GO, and Dota 2 have become part of the sports betting market, and they’re big players. Instead of physical matches, you’re betting on professional gamers competing online.
Virtual Sports
If you enjoy sports but want a quick fix, virtual sports are computer-generated matches that run all day, every day. There are no weather issues and no match postponements or player injuries to affect your strategy. Results are decided by certified random systems, so they’re fair and unpredictable.
Responsible Gambling Policy
No matter what, responsible gaming is an important feature of any online casino platform. PariPesa Nigeria takes this policy very seriously, too. This means you’re encouraged to play for fun, not to chase losses or risk money you can’t afford to lose. You can use the following tools to make sure you don’t go overboard.
- Deposit limits
- Self-exclusion between 6 months and 1 year.
- Session limits
- Regular check-ins
If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, use the resources available online to get help.
PariPesa is synonymous with a complete gaming experience in Nigeria. From casino games and betting to eSports and virtual sports, everything is covered. The navigation is simple, reliable, and let’s be honest, entertaining! So, join PariPesa Nigeria today and enjoy top choices made for people like you!
In Nigeria, football no be ordinary game. It’s part of how we live every day. From early kick-off on Saturday to late Champions League matches during the week, football dey everywhere. Viewing centres full, group chats noisy, Twitter dey hot. Everybody get opinion, everybody sabi coach.
Naturally, betting don become part of the football culture. But Nigerians don wise pass before. People no dey rush into any platform again. If a betting site no dey stable, no dey transparent, or dey give withdrawal wahala, Nigerians go drop am sharp sharp.
That’s why Helabet dey slowly but surely find its space as a betting site in Nigeria wey people fit actually rely on.
Betting site in Nigeria
To run a successful betting site in Nigeria, you must understand Nigerians very well. We like things straight. No stress. No confusion. No unnecessary grammar.
Helabet keeps things simple. Registration no hard. The platform clean and easy to move around. You no need ask anybody “how do I bet?” once you open the site. Everything dey clear from the beginning.
Trust na big factor. Nigerians no dey joke with their money. Once people notice say withdrawals dey smooth and no unnecessary delay, confidence go build naturally. That’s how betting sites survive here — not by noise, but by consistency.
Helabet fits into that category of platforms wey people dey quietly stick with because e dey do wetin e promise.
Online sports betting
These days, most people dey bet with their phone. No be everybody get time to go betting shop or sit down for long. With online sports betting, you fit place your bet anywhere — at home, at work break, or even inside traffic.
Helabet supports this lifestyle well. The site works smoothly on mobile, and markets load fast. Football dey dominate, as expected, but other sports dey available too for people wey like mix things up.
Whether na Premier League, Champions League, international matches, or weekend fixtures, options dey plenty. The odds dey fair enough to keep serious bettors interested, not just people wey dey try luck.
For many Nigerians, betting no be about rushing. Na about reading the game and placing smart bets. Helabet allows that kind of approach.
Live sports betting
This is where things get interesting. Live sports betting na for people wey dey follow matches closely.
Game fit change anytime. One goal, one red card, one mistake — everything turn. With Helabet, you fit react while the match dey go on. Markets update fast, and you no dey struggle to place bet before odds change.
For Nigerians wey dey watch match and dey say “this game still get something,” live betting gives that chance to act in real time, not after everything don finish.
It makes watching football more engaging, especially for people wey understand how momentum works in a match.
Why Helabet Makes Sense for Nigerians
Helabet no dey try too hard to impress. E just focuses on doing the basics well — smooth betting, solid online sports betting, reliable live sports betting, and stress-free experience.
For Nigerians wey dey look for a betting site in Nigeria wey understand how football and betting really work here, Helabet dey earn its place gradually.
No noise. No hype. Just steady service — and for betting, that’s what really matters.
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