Richarlison double ignites Brazil’s quest for a sixth title
By Samindra Kunti in Lusail
November 25 – A stylish Brazil breezed past Serbia to clinch a 2-0 group G win and confirm their status as tournament favourites in Qatar.
News
FIFA’s moral confusion: No rainbow flags, hats or armbands, and no homophobic chanting naughty Ecuador
November 24 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Ecuador over homophobic chanting by their fans in their World Cup opener against hosts Qatar.
Budweiser demand $47m compensation for Qatar 2022 sponsorship humiliation, reports
November 24 – FIFA’s last-minute decision to ban alcoholic beer sales at World Cup stadiums could cost them $47 million, with tournament sponsors Budweiser reportedly seeking a massive deduction in its $75 million sponsorship deal after the humiliation of having had their beer concession rights withdrawn by Qatari World Cup organisers.
Germans to FIFA: ‘do you really think you will muzzle us?’
November 24 – In a defiant protest, Germany’s player covered their mouths against FIFA’s clampdown on free speech and the ban of the ‘OneLove’ armband’.
Germans threaten legal action against FIFA over ‘OneLove’ armband ban
November 23 – Germany’s football association (DFB) is examining whether FIFA’s threat to impose sanctions against players who wanted to wear the ‘OneLove’ armband at the World Cup is legal.
Japanese stun error-strewn Germans on the counter
November 24 – In another major upset, Japan stunned four-time world champions Germany with a second-half comeback to win 2-1 .
It is progress that is holding Qatar back. Digital ticket failure sees return to handwritten paper passes
November 23 – Qatar’s efforts to apply modern techniques and digitise all tickets to make World Cup organisation run more smoothly have taken another hit after handwritten paper tickets had to be handed out to fans for the second day running.
Ronaldo exits Man Utd, Glazers look ready to follow him
November 23 – Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United “with immediate effect”, days after he gave an explosive unauthorised interview attacking manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s owners.
Saudis celebrate famous Argentina win with a day off work
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 23 – Saudis will enjoy a day off on Wednesday as the Kingdom declared a public holiday to mark the Green Falcons’ historic 2-1 win against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
FIFA clampdown leaves Vertonghen in fear of supporting OneLove; Belgium ordered to change shirts
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 23 – On the eve of Belgium’s opening game with Canada in the World Cup, Belgian veteran player Jan Vertonghen has said that he is afraid to talk about the OneLove armband.
A different league: Infantino’s FIFA still no match for UEFA when it comes to revenue growth
By David Owen
November 23 – So, what do you know: 55 minutes into that extraordinary hour-long tormented, angry pre-World Cup vent by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, some hard, or hard-ish, financial information.
Frappart records a World Cup first
November 23 – France’s Stephanie Frappart made history by becoming became the first female official in a men’s World Cup finals when she was selected as the fourth official in Mexico’s 0-0 draw with Poland on Tuesday.
Messi’d up. Saudi Arabia create historical upset with Argentina win
By Samindra Kunti in Lusail
November 22 – Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi’s Argentina 2-1 with goals from Saleh Al-Shehr and Salem Al Dawsari in a five-minute second-half blitz to inspire one of the all-time great World Cup upsets.
FIFA shows no love for ‘OneLove’ campaign and threatens ‘sporting sanctions’
November 22 – European teams have reacted with disappointment and dismay after being forced by FIFA to abandon plans to wear ‘OneLove’ armbands at the World Cup in support of LGBTQ rights.
FIFA-time: Multiple extra minutes lead to more goals and injuries
November 22 – New FIFA guidelines resulted in more than an hour of stoppage time in the first four World Cup games in bid to maximise playing time and avoid time-wasting.