Qatar opens Al-Wakrah stadium with fireworks and a Cup Final
May 17 – Qatar officially opened its latest World Cup 2022 stadium Thursday as it staged a prestigious domestic cup final in the $575 million, 40,000-capacity Al-Wakrah venue.
World Cup
Qatar’s Al Wakrah Stadium to open with Emir Cup final
May 15 – Another milestone in the development of 2022 World Cup infrastructure will be achieved on Thursday when the newly-built 40,000-capacity Al Wakrah Stadium hosts its first competitive game, the domestic Emir Cup final.
FIFA calls-in human rights bodies in bid to find ‘acceptable’ location for 2022 expansion
April 29 – FIFA has written to human rights groups to hold talks about issues related to a potential expansion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams as Gianni Infantino and the governing body continue their push to find one more regional co-host for the tournament.
Joint Korean bid evaporates as South decide to go solo for 2023 hosting rights
April 23 – It always seemed an unlikely, if ground-breaking, prospect, both from a sporting and political standpoint. And now it appears to have reached the end of the road with South Korea’s FA (KFA) dropping neighbours North Korea from possible co-hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup, apparently due to lack of proper coordination.
AFC draws teams for first round of Qatar 2020 qualifying
April 17 – The draw for the first phase of Asia’s qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup finals was made on Wednesday despite the fact that the continent doesn’t know for sure how many teams will be represented in Qatar.
Infantino’s one-man mission for 48-team 2020 World Cup lands in Kuwait
April 15 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s determination to win his battle to expand the 2022 World Cup beyond Qatar’s borders has taken him to Kuwait in a last-ditch effort to pull in another 16 finalists in three years’ time.
Samuel Eto’o joins Qatar 2022 as a global ambassador
April 15 – African football legend Samuel Eto’o has joined the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) as a Global Ambassador.
Infantino still rates chances of 48-team 2022 at 50-50
April 12 – The chances of FIFA increasing the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from 32 to 48 is around 50-50, Gianni Infantino has admitted.
Oman closes door on co-hosting 48-team 2022 World Cup
April 10 – A major spanner has been thrown into the plans of Gianni Infantino to share the 2022 World Cup with Qatar’s neighbours.
Al-Khater says Qatar 2020 still at 32-teams, though feasibility study for 48 is in play
April 9 – Qatar has indicated it will not be pressured into having the 2022 World Cup expanded to 48 teams against its will.
Infantino uses AFC platform to keep up pressure for 48-team Qatar 2022
April 8 – Gianni Infantino has upped the ante once again in his bid to gain global support for his controversial plan to change the landscape of club world football as well as expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.
Infantino’s Gulf War. 48-team 2022 could make diplomatic situation worse, says survey
March 20 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams and sharing hosting rights with Qatar’s neighbours risks worsening tensions in the region, according to a new survey.
Al-Khater says no deal done with neighbours to share Qatar 2022
March 11 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup CEO Nasser Al-Khater has added his voice to speculation that the tournament could be shared with Kuwait and Oman by insisting that no decision has been made on the issue.
Kuwait and Oman mooted as venue solutions for a 48-team Qatar 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 -With little more than a week to go until the all-important Miami summit of FIFA’s decision-making Council, Gianni infantino is reportedly working to try and rescue the idea of expanding the 2022 Qatar World Cup to 48 teams.
Russia pitch for South American Supercup hosting
March 6 – Russia is in talks to break new ground by hosting next year’s South American Supercup, according to the country’s sports ministry.