FBI probe former CIA agent Qatar used to spy on 2022 bid rivals
October 28 – Next month’s World Cup in Qatar has been rocked by further allegations of underhand methods used to win the vote to stage the event 12 years ago.
Qatar 2022
Australian squad turns up pressure on Qataris to speed up reform with 16-player video message
October 27 – Australia’s World Cup squad are the latest country to take aim at Qatar’s human rights record, issuing a three-minute video focussing on treatment of foreign workers and restrictions on the LGBTQI+ community.
Covid tests will not be required to enter Qatar for World Cup
October 27 – Qatar is set to drop mandatory pre-arrival Covid-19 tests for thousands of visitors from across the globe attending the World Cup.
Ukraine club calls for Qatar 2022 ban on Iran for supplying Russia’s ‘kamikaze’ drones
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – FIFA is coming under further pressure to kick Iran out of next month’s World Cup – this time because of its military support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Qatari Emir slams critics of his country for their ‘fabrications and double standards’
October 25 – The ruler of Qatar has taken the unusual step of publicly adding his voice to that of World Cup organisers in denouncing the constant stream of criticism levelled against the host nation in the build-up to next month’s tournament.
Qataris deny HRW report of LGBT+ arrests and beatings
October 24 – Despite promises by organisers and FIFA president Gianno Infantino that everyone will be welcome at the Qatar World Cup regardless of gender or sexual orientation, it’s a very different story on the ground in the build-up to the tournament, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
US Soccer joins growing group of FAs calling for remediation fund for Qatar’s migrant workers
October 19 – US Soccer has become the latest football federation to support a compensation fund for migrant workers in Qatar.
US ambassador tells Qataris if you invite the world you need to be open to it
October 19 – The United States expects “patience and tolerance” from Qatari authorities when the Gulf state welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans to the World Cup next month.
James, Jota and Kante out of Qatar 2022 as injury lists mount
October 19 – With little over a month to go before the World Cup, several nations are being forced to revise their plans, with a number of key players ruled out by injury.
Infantino says Qatar is ready to welcome the whole world for ‘best-ever’ World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 18 – In the face of continued western media scepticism, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and World Cup organisers are cranking up the public relations narrative, insisting to anyone who will listen that the tournament in Qatar will be remembered for all the right reasons.
Political shape-shifting: FBI joins FIFA in Qatar, Emir and Putin declare their love
October 14 – In a remarkable turn round, the FBI and FIFA have teamed up to protect this winter’s World Cup in Qatar from potential crime including match-fixing.
FIFA chief hints at progress towards Qatar worker compensation package
October 14 – Through a high-ranking administrator, global governing body FIFA has suggested it’s considering compensation for migrant workers in Qatar who suffered human rights abuses in the build-up to the World Cup.
Qatar 2022 chief tells England and Wales to focus on football, not politics
October 13 – World Cup boss Nasser Al Khater has said that England and Wales should focus on their teams’ preparations for the World Cup rather than demanding compensation for migrant workers or making political statements.
FIFA taps into local talent to launch art project around World Cup Trophy tour
FIFA is collaborating with eight leading artists to showcase a new ‘Spotlight: Your Dreams’ campaign ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
FIFA earmarks $209 million in compensation for clubs with players at Qatar 2022
October 11 – FIFA has opened the financial compensation process for clubs whose players will be participating at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.