January 26 – FIFA is reporting almost 400,000 visitors from more than 135 different countries visited its museum in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2022and internationally.
The figure is the combination of 195,000 guests to its exhibitions and events in Zurich with a further 179,000 visitors visiting the four-week exhibition that was part of the FIFA Fan Festival at Qatar 2022.
In addition, 22,000 visitors attended a travelling exhibition, displayed in venues across China.
FIFA estimates that 5.5 million people from around the world engaged with the FIFA Museum’s digital formats and content in 2022.
The past year has also seen change within the Museum with the opening of the new permanent ‘Trophy Room’ and the remodelling of the 180-degree cinema. New exhibitions included ‘211 Cultures. One game’ – a collaboration with FIFA’s 211 member associations and featuring a display of objects and stories from the different football cultures around the world. Theruns display until 20 August 2023
Crossing over into other content realms, the Museum staff contributed to two new series – ‘History Makers’ and ‘Football Meets Cinema’ (a collaboration with the Zurich Film Festival). The FIFA Museum also launched its first digital exhibition – ‘Origins: Pre-Histories of Football’..
“Over the past year, we are delighted to have taken a significant step forward in our mission, celebrating and safeguarding the history and culture of international football and sharing the magic of the beautiful game with an ever-increasing number of people around the world,” said FIFA Museum Director Marco Fazzone.
Originally a project begun and championed by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the museum was not much loved by newly elected president Gianni Infantino in 2016 when it launched.]
Having survived FIFA-wide culls under the new regime, the museum has also found a commercial use – much closer to Infantino’s mission rationale. The special exhibition at the Qatar 2022 World Cup fan festival was presented by FIFA partner Hyundai.
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