Qataris polish their ‘Diamond in the Desert’ stadium; two more to open before year end
June 17 – Qatar organisers have now officially opened the third tournament-ready venue for the 2022 World Cup, and the largest to be completed so far.
World Cup
Qatar 2022 bosses dump construction firm after Al Bayt stadium workers go unpaid
June 11 – Welfare conditions in Qatar have come under renewed scrutiny after an Amnesty International investigation revealed that World Cup labourers at the Al Bayt stadium went unpaid for months. Local organisers have said the Qatari construction company involved has been banned from event projects as a consequence.
Brazil drop bid for 2023 Women’s World Cup hosting, passing support to Colombia
June 8 – Even though the tournament is not for another three years, Brazil has withdrawn its bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, saying it cannot offer FIFA the financial assurances needed as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Qatar 2022 organisers announce the Education City Stadium is complete
June 5 – The Qatar 2022 organisers have announced the Education City Stadium in Doha as the third World Cup stadium to be completed.
Qatar 2022: Al-Thawadi says boycott has not affected preparations, but Covid-19 is a worry
By Andrew Warshaw
May 21 – The head of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee says the Saudi-led regional blockade of his country has been a “blessing in disguise” and has also vowed to ensure the tournament remains affordable to visitors despite the impact of Covid-19.
Kenya on brink of being kicked out of 2022 qualifiers for failure to pay former coach
April 24 – Kenya is on the verge of being banned from World Cup qualifiers saying they do not have the funds to meet today’s deadline to pay former coach Adel Amrouche (pictured).
2023 Women’s World Cup bidders lobby for European backing
By Samindra Kunti in Amsterdam
March 3 – The bidding race for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is shifting gear. On the eve of the UEFA Congress in the Dutch capital, the four bids pitched their tournament plans to the European governing body’s Executive Committee.
Qatar 2020: 1,000 days to go, 2 stadia ready, 3 to open this year, 3 to finish
February 25 – Qatar will open three more of its World Cup 2022 stadiums this year, adding to the two already open. That will leave three more for completion, including the Lusail Stadium that will host the opening game and final.
More CAF chaos as World Cup qualifier dates pushed back amid commercial uncertainty
January 22 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has carried out the draw for African 2022 World Cup qualifiers but at the same time announced that matches will now not start for another nine months. The big news from the draw itself is that either Cameroon or Ivory Coast will not qualify for the Qatar World Cup after the teams were paired together.
Qatar and FIFA commit to ‘sustainability’ plan covering legacy, human rights and environment
January 22 – Qatar and FIFA have jointly published a comprehensive strategy covering sustainability ahead of the 2022 World Cup, including pledges on workers’ rights and environmental issues.
Costa Rica and Panama to co-host 2021 U20 women’s World Cup, Nigeria lose out
December 23 – Nigeria have lost their bid to become the first African country to host a global women’s tournament after FIFA chose Costa Rica and Panama as joint hosts for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
Qatar 2022 chief hopes tournament will change stereotypes of Qatar
December 20 – The head of Qatar’s World Cup organising committee hopes visiting fans will change their views about his country in the same way misconceptions about Russia were altered at the 2018 tournament.
VW to provide electric self-drive vans for Qatar 2022 World Cup
December 20 – Volkswagen is targeting the 2022 World Cup to showcase its self-driving electric vehicles. The German carmaker has been working with the city of Doha, Qatar to provide a fleet I.D. Buzz autonomous vehicles for the start of the world finals.
South Africa pull out, Aussie and Kiwis team up: Race for WWC 2023 hosting hots up
December 12 – South Africa have pulled out of the running to stage the 2023 Women’s World Cup saying they will not be submitting a bid book and other proposed hosting documentation by Friday’s deadlineThe South African FA has been on a collision course with Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa over the future of football in the country which would need government guarantees to stage the tournament.
Liverpool seek confirmation that families received justice over World Cup stadia deaths
December 11 – Liverpool are backing calls by human rights groups for thorough investigations into the deaths of migrant workers in Qatar – before the club flies out next week for the Club World Cup.