Construction of first Qatar 2022 World Cup stadium to start next year
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – Construction of Qatar’s first stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament will start next year, it has been confirmed.
World Cup
Russia 2018 sets visa-free regime for World Cup ticket holders
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – Russia 2018 has reiterated plans to scrap visa requirements for fans – provided they have FIFA World Cup tickets.
Paes re-elected Mayor of Rio de Janeiro through 2014 World Cup
By Tom Degun
October 8 – Eduardo Paes has been re-elected as the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil’s municipal elections meaning that he will hold the prestigious position when the country hosts the FIFA 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, as well as the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Kuban Krasnodar fans protest 2018 World Cup hosting snub
By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – Fans of Russian Premier League club Kuban Krasnodar have written to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and FIFA boss Sepp Blatter protesting that their city was not chosen as one of the host venues for the 2018 World Cup.
Brazil introduces new hotel ranking system ahead of World Cup
By David Gold
October 5 – The Brazilian Government has announced new criteria for ranking hotels and accommodation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games that Rio de Janeiro hosts in 2016.
Saransk to receive $2 billion transformation for 2018 World Cup
By David Gold
October 5 – Saransk in Russia is gearing up to be transformed for the FIFA World Cup in 2018, with $2 billion (£1.2 billion/€1.5 billion) set to be invested in what is the smallest city hosting matches during the tournament.
Health and Safety branch opens in Qatar to help labour rights
By Andrew Warshaw
October 4 – FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar’s bid to offset criticism of its labour rights record has been boosted with the opening of a branch of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in Doha.
Dynamo Moscow to reduce stadium size after World Cup snub
By David Gold
October 2 – Dynamo Moscow’s new stadium may be reduced in size after it was not selected to stage FIFA World Cup matches in 2018.
Blatter and Platini in more disagreement over goal-line technology
By Andrew Warshaw
October 1 – The difference of opinion between FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his UEFA opposite number Michel Platini over whether to use goal-line technology or extra referees’ assistants has been stoked up once again.
FIFA rejects claims that 2014 World Cup kick-off times will harm players’ health
By Andrew Warshaw
September 30 – Accusations that it put commercial considerations, in particular television coverage in Europe, before the health of players when deciding on kick off times for the 2014 World Cup were totally rejected today by FIFA.
Budget for Russia 2018 World Cup doubles to nearly $20 billion
By Duncan Mackay
September 30 – Russia will spend a projected $19.2 million (£11.9 billion/€14.9 billion) on getting ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, the country’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko revealed today.
Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg to host matches in 2018 FIFA World Cup finals
By David Gold
September 29 – Fans attending the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup could spend whole days or more travelling after the confirmation tonight that Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg are among the 11 cities chosen to host matches.
FIFA releases Brazil 2014 World Cup times
By Andrew Warshaw
September 28 – European fans will have to either stay awake or get up in the early hours of the morning to watch certain matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil because of the time difference.
Scolari hired by Brazilian Government to promote 2014 FIFA World Cup
By David Gold
September 27 – Luiz Felipe Scolari, who coached Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup, has been hired by the nation’s Government to promote the 2014 FIFA competition taking place in the South American country.
Brazil 2014 receives record volunteer applications
By David Gold
September 27 – The window for applications to be a volunteer at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup has closed, with a record number putting themselves forward for the opportunity.