Qatar 2022 ticket sales top 2.45 million
August 17 – FIFA is reporting ticket sales of 2.45 million for the Qatar 2022 World Cup that kicks off November 17.
World Cup
DFB’s Neuendorf pledges to confront Qatar 2022 organisers over LGBT concerns
August 17 – German FA boss Bern Neuendorf has promised to raise the concerns of the LGBT community and their travelling supporters to organisers of the World Cup in Qatar, where same-sex relations remain a criminal offence.
FIFA agrees to cancel disrupted Brazil/Argentina 2022 qualifier, but fines both nations
August 17 – The suspended World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina has finally been cancelled officially after Brazil argued the risks were too great ahead of the finals in Qatar.
BeIN and Twitter partner for World Cup content push
August 16 – Broadcaster BeIN Sports has partnered with social media platform Twitter to share content during the World Cup in November and December.
HRW says compensate dead workers or face legacy of being World Cup of human rights abuse
August 15 – With the World Cup in Qatar just three months away, Human Rights Watch has stepped up its campaign to urge FIFA and the host nation to improve compensation for migrant workers and their families.
FIFA agrees to start World Cup a day earlier to give Qatar star billing
By Andrew Warshaw
August 12 – The start of the Qatar World Cup, just three months away, is to be brought forward by 24 hours to give the host nation centre stage. FIFA has now made the date change official
Lusail Stadium, venue for 2022 World Cup final, stages first test event
August 12 – On the eve of the 100-day countdown to the World Cup, Al Arabi defeated Al Rayan 2-1 in the first test event at the Lusail Stadium, the 80,000-capacity venue for the World Cup final, and the last of Qatar’s World Cup stadia to be completed.
Brazil say completing ‘dead’ 2022 qualifier against Argentina risks player injury
August 11 – Brazil is refusing to play its suspended World Cup qualifying match against Argentina scheduled for next month, arguing the risks are too great ahead of the finals in Qatar.
Israeli fury at being listed as ‘Palestinian Territory, Occupied’ on World Cup hospitality site
August 11 – Yet another controversy has broken out over how disputed territories are being identified in World Cup official documentation.
World Cup to start a day earlier with Qataris requesting standalone opening day slot
August 10 – FIFA have reportedly granted a Qatar request to start the World Cup a day earlier than scheduled with the hosts opening the tournament against Ecuador.
German World Cup legend Lahm to boycott Qatar 2022 over human rights record
August 9 – Former Germany captain Philipp Lahm is to boycott this year’s World Cup over host nation Qatar’s human rights record.
Qatar 2022: France join growing list of nations providing security support to hosts
August 5 – France has become the latest country that will deploy security personnel during the World Cup in Qatar to help safeguard the global sporting event.
South Americans launch 2023 bid with an emotional call for a return to the World Cup’s roots
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 – It took about five years to put together, but on Tuesday South America finally launched their bid to stage the 2030 World Cup with an unprecedented coalition of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile vying to stage a celebratory, centenary global finals in the region.
Workers rights abuses at Qatar 2022 hotels set to host Brazil and England
August 1 – Human rights group Equidem has found labour rights abuses at the team hotels that will host England and Brazil during the World Cup in Qatar.
Chile appeal closing of Castillo case, demanding Ecuador are pulled out of Qatar 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
July 29 – Despite having had their complaint rejected, Chile are not giving up in their determination to have Ecuador thrown out of this year’s World Cup and have appealed the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision to close the eligibility case of Byron David Castillo Segura who represented Ecuador eight times during Conmebol qualifying.