Retrospective Video Analysis of Orofacial Injuries during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Introduction: Football Association is the most practiced sport in the world. However, as a contact sport in which athletes are subject to impacts and injuries of different etiologies, the risk of orofacial injuries is high. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of orofacial injuries during the FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022™. Materials and Methods: Video analyses were performed of all 64 games of the World Cup, with the determination of the quantity of orofacial injuries that occurred between players as well as the different types and characteristics of these injuries. The data were incorporated into a database and subsequently analyzed with the aid of the SPSS program (version 17.0). Results: At least one orofacial injury occurred in 96.87% of the games. The greatest incidence of orofacial injury was due to impacts. Four athletes used a face shield and only one used a mouthguard. Conclusion: The incidence of orofacial injuries was high among the players who participated in the 2022 World Cup and impact was the most frequent etiology of such injuries.