WATCH | Qatar World Cup will be watched by 5 billion people - FIFA boss

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says this year's World Cup, set for November, will attract 5 billion viewers while the action takes place in the Middle East.

He made the comments during a World Economic Forum (WEF) engagement saying the reason for such interest in the sport is down to it being a "unique sport, with different dimensions".

"We are here at the WEF, so football has an economic dimension. It has a social dimension as well," the FIFA boss said.

France will defend their crown at the showpiece event scheduled from 21 November to 18 December.