March 23 – On Thursday, Australia will host Japan in a blockbuster that will all but decide the fate of two of the powerhouses in Asia’s final round of World Cup qualifying. Graham Arnold and the Socceroos must win if they are to remain in contention for an automatic qualifying place for Qatar 2022.
March 23 – FIFA has opened up another ticket buying window for the Qatar 2022 World Cup ahead of the Final Draw next week.
March 22 – Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has rekindled the controversy over staging the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by describing the move as “ridiculous” and has lambasted the idea that it would help grow the game in the tiny Gulf state.
March 22 – FIFA has launched the volunteer programme for the 2022 World Cup, with 20,000 places looking to be filled.
March 21 – So near but so far. Iraqi dreams of hosting their remaining home tie in the final group stage of Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying have been dashed following unrest in the country.
March 18 – The Solomon Islands defeated the Cook Islands 2-0 to kick off the eight-team Oceania World Cup qualifiers with a ticket for the intercontinental playoffs at stake, but on the first day of the tournament Tahiti – Vanuatu had to be postponed because of a Covid-19 outbreak.
March 14 – FIFA are back in discussion with Amnesty International over the conditions for migrant workers in Qatar in connection with the World Cup. This time the discussion is not focussed on construction workers by on those in the service and hospitality sector.
By Andrew Warshaw
March 9 – As anticipated, Poland has been awarded a bye over Russia in their World Cup playoff semi-final scheduled for March 24 and will now meet the winner of Sweden-Czech Republic to secure a place in Qatar.
March 8 – Iraq are returning to Iraq for their final home fixture in March in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for Qatar 2022, the first time they have played a match on home soil in the qualifying campaign.
March 8 – Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine has been postponed with FIFA and UEFA now seeking a way of rescheduling the entire Path A playoffs.
March 7 – Scotland’s upcoming home World Cup semi-final play-off with Ukraine is expected to be delayed until June.
February 24 – The national associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic have issued a joint statement refusing to play any World Cup playoffs in Russia in response to the military assault on Ukraine.
February 23 – With pressure growing on UEFA to shift the Champions League final away from Saint Petersburg over the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Poland has demanded that FIFA clarify the fate of their World Cup playoff against Russia.
February 17 – It’s not an April Fool’s joke but the draw for the World Cup finals in Qatar is reportedly being scheduled for April 1.
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – FIFA have ordered Brazil and Argentina to replay their World Cup qualifier that was abandoned last September when Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo over alleged Covid-19 accusations by Argentinian visitors.