World Cup attendance to pass 3 million, third best
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -- The overall attendance at the World Cup in South Africa will pass 3 million at Wednesday's semifinal, making it the third highest after the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006, FIFA said.
Total attendances so far have been 2.997 million at 61 games, for an average of 49,134, according to latest figures from soccer's international governing body.
The U.S. tournament 16 years ago drew a record 3.59 million, followed by Germany at the last World Cup with 3.36 million.
"Here in South Africa it is only the third time in the history of the World Cup that we will have passed 3 million," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said.
"That is a resounding success."
Attendance at fan parks inside South Africa, and elsewhere around the world, would top 5 million after Wednesday night's game between Germany and Spain in Durban, he added.
