Rainbow flag makes its entry at Lusail via protesting pitch invader
November 29 – A pitch invader with a rainbow flag interrupted the World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay.
World Cup
Casemiro delivers Brazil into last 16, but ghost of Neymar haunts a misfiring performance
November 29 – Five-time world champions Brazil marched on to the knockout phase of the World Cup with a laboured, but ultimately deserved victory against a limited Swiss side with Casemiro delivering the winning strike in the 83rd minute.
Qataris get political, reminding Germans of Özil protest and showing support for Palestine
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor
November 28 – Qatari fans staged a protest of their own, targeting Germany by holding pictures of the former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during the match against Spain.
World Cup riot: Morocco win sparks violence in Belgium and Holland
November 28 – Following Morocco’s surprise 2-0 victory against Belgium, rioting broke out in Brussels as well as in various Dutch cities as celebrations spilt out of control.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Qatar’s beIN and Saudis in new broadcast spat
November 27 – With relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia seemingly having found a new level cordiality in polar opposite to the Saudi-led blockade of the country two years ago, a new dispute has arisen around broadcast rights that could threaten the detente.
Serbia face FIFA disciplinary over ‘no surrender’ Kosovo banner in dressing room
November 27 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Serbia for hanging a political banner in their dressing room at the World Cup about neighbouring independent state Kosovo.
Emotions run high as Queiroz says Klinsmann’s comments are a ‘disgrace’
November 27 – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has lambasted former German star Juergen Klinsmann for criticising his team’s World Cup behaviour, calling his remarks a “disgrace to football” and urging him to resign from FIFA’s technical study group.
After poor showing, Sanchez says Qatar must build for the future
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 27 – On Tuesday, hosts Qatar will bow out of their home World Cup with a final group game against the Netherlands after they were eliminated from the tournament by losing 3-1 to Senegal.
Neymar’s World Cup tournament in doubt after Serbian challenge leaves him in tears
November 25 – Neymar was seen in tears on the Brazil bench after picking up an injury to his right ankle, leaving his World Cup in doubt.
Brazil have the players to deliver Qatar 2022 win, says ranking, but do they have the ‘bottle’
November 25 – Brazil, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Serbia last night, top a ranking of Qatar 2022 finalists built on the ‘impact score’ statistics of their players.
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.
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.
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 .