The Spectator

Will the World Cup final be better attended in 2022 or 1930?

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issue 10 December 2022

Final countdown

Could fewer people watch the 2022 World Cup final in the flesh than watched the inaugural 1930 contest? The first World Cup final, won 4-2 by Uruguay, was held in the Estadio Centario in Montevideo on 30 July 1930. The stadium officially held 93,000 people. That is more than the present Wembley stadium and 4,000 more than the capacity of the venue for this year’s final, the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. There are conflicting accounts of how many attended the 1930 final, however, with some sources saying it was full and others giving an official attendance of 68,346.

A Brexit blow?

Is it true that trade with the EU has declined since Brexit? (Goods in current prices)

                                Sept 2019        Sept 2022

Imports

From EU                     £22.7 bn     £23.9 bn

From rest of world    £18.4 bn     £29.2 bn

Exports

To EU                          £14.3

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