By David Owen
January 28 – Match Hospitality agents have committed to record World Cup sales targets, auguring well for the sale of official Qatar 2022 hospitality packages, which gets under way on Monday (February 1).
January 27 – FIFA plans to appoint host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico by the last quarter of this year.
December 30 – The expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 will guarantee 11 direct slots to European nations and six to Asian nations.
December 21 – Xavi’s Al Sadd won the Amir Cup for a record 17th time defeating Al Arabia 2-1 to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, the fourth 2022 World Cup venue to be completed.
December 18 – Russia’s participation in the 2022 World Cup has been plunged into jeopardy after a landmark ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) banning the country from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or any world championships for the next two years.
December 18 – Al Sadd and Al Arabi will meet tonight in the final of the Amir Cup to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, one of eight venues for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
December 9 – World Cup hosts Qatar are to be included as a guest team in the European section of qualifying for the 2022 tournament in order to gain more match experience.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – For once there wasn’t a group of death as such but there is no doubt some got it far easier than others.
December 2 – Qatar will inaugurate a fourth World Cup stadium when the Al Rayyan venue hosts the Amir Cup Final on December 18, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has announced.
November 27 – FIFA has confirmed the seedings for the European section of qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with England, Belgium and reigning world champions France in Pot 1.
November 25 – FIFA has confirmed that the Arab Cup tournament, announced in June, will act as the official warm-up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Arab Cup will be played in December next year, featuring 22 nations from Africa and Asia.
November 18 – Brazil defeated Uruguay 2-0 in Montevideo courtesy of goals from Arthur and Richarlison to maintain a perfect record and top spot in South American World Cup qualifying. In Quito, Ecuador steamrollered Colombia 6-1.
October 23 – The draw for the European section of 2022 World Cup qualifying will take place in Zurich on December 7.
By Samindra Kunti
October 14 – Neymar moved past Ronaldo to become the second highest all-time goal scorer in the Brazil shirt after scoring a hat-trick in a 4-2 World Cup qualifying win against Peru. In La Paz, Argentina laboured to a 2-1 victory over Bolivia to maintain a perfect record.
October 9 – Paraguay and Peru drew 2-2, Uruguay defeated Chile 2-1 and Lionel Messi dragged Argentina to a 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday to get the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup finally under way after the coronavirus shutdown.