November 8 – Having brought it back on the agenda only last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino appears to have backtracked on the chances of an expanded 48-team World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
November 5 – Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia and Romania are considering an unlikely joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
October 31 – Four months after it was taken off the agenda at the FIFA Congress, Gianni Infantino says FIFA is still “discussing” trying to bring about a 48-team World Cup for Qatar in 2022, potentially shared with the tiny Gulf state’s neighbours.
October 24 – Qatar 2022 World Cup infrastructure was given a flying inspection visit by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, en route to the FIFA Council meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, later this week.
September 27 – Pussy Riot member Pyotr Verzilov, one of four protesters who staged a pitch invasion during the World Cup final and who is believed to have been subsequently poisoned, has laid the blame squarely on Russia’s intelligence services.
September 24 – An investigation has been opened by Croatian authorities into the alleged sale of black market tickets for the World Cup final.
September 20 – The Republic of Ireland is joining forces with the four ‘home’ British nations to consider making a joint bid for the 2030 World Cup.
September 19 – German doctors treating Pyotr Verzilov, a member of Russian protest group Pussy Riot and one of those who staged a pitch invasion during the World Cup final, say it is “highly plausible” he was poisoned.
By Andrew Warshaw
August 31 – The Scottish and Welsh FAs have confirmed that exploratory talks are under way for a UK bid for the 2030 World Cup – even though South America would probably be regarded as favourites.
August 29 – Within six weeks of the World Cup finishing, one of the stadiums used at the tournament is already in trouble despite Russian authorities promising that all venues would leave a positive legacy.
August 21 – An Interpol-led operation during the World Cup led to thousands of raids against illegal gambling conducted throughout Asia and a string of arrests, according to the organisation.
August 8 – The 2018 World Cup qualifications were riddled with accusations of match-fixing in Africa in particular – including FIFA for the first time ordering one game to be replayed – but the finals tournament itself was clean.
August 6 – The English Championship may decide to take a break during the 2022-23 season to accommodate the World Cup in Qatar being staged in November and December – right in the middle of domestic seasons.
August 2 – Four members of Russia’s anti-Kremlin ‘Pussy Riot’ protest group, who staged a pitch invasion during the World Cup final, have been released from police custody after being detained for 16 days, their lawyer says.
By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid team have categorically denied new revelations claiming they ran a covert campaign designed to sabotage rival bidders, specifically the United States and Australia.