Qataris plan a kosher welcome for 2022
December 28 – A New York rabbi says he has been asked by Qatar for advice on how to plan for Jewish fans at the 2022 World Cup, the first to be held in a predominantly Muslim country.
Qatar 2022
4 years to go: Qatar’s National Day celebrates a milestone on the journey to 2022 final
By Paul Nicholson in Qatar
December 18 – In exactly four years’ time Qatar will be hosting the final of the 2022 World Cup in the Lusail Stadium in Lusail City. It will be a double celebration for the country, whether they make the final or not, as December 18 is their National Day.
Qatar wait for FIFA study as 48-team 2022 decision pushed to March council meeting
By Andrew Warshaw
December 18 – As FIFA continues to prevaricate over whether to expand the Qatar World Cup in 2022, the Qataris themselves are taking a firm but diplomatic stance.
Qataris turn on the style with unveiling of 2022 showpiece Lusail Stadium
By Paul Nicholson at the Lusail Marina, Qatar
December 16 – It was a night of stars, fireworks and national celebration as Qatar’s World Cup organisers unveiled the design of the 80,000-capacity showpiece stadium that will host the opening match and final of the greatest show on earth in 2022.
Qatar 2022: Lusail Stadium grows out of the desert, bringing a brand new city with it
By Paul Nicholson, Lusail City, Qatar
December 16 – They promised amazing and that is what we are going to get. Qatar got down to the real business of World Club football this weekend with the launch of the design of its showpiece Lusail Stadium. Qatar 2022 is well and truly off the starting grid and setting a spectacular pace.
Friend or foe? Infantino closes Doha summit with another call for 48-team 2022 World Cup
By Paul Nicholson in Doha
December 14 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino concluded the FIFA Summits in Doha, Qatar, yesterday with what is becoming his trademark battle cry for an expansion of the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams and another reference to his being just another “citizen of the world”.
Top brass gather in Qatar for grand reveal of 2022 showpiece Lusail Stadium design
By Paul Nicholson in Doha
December 12 – Guests, dignitaries and media are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the launch on Saturday of the Lusail Stadium design that will be the showpiece venue hosting the opening match and final of the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar 2022: Infantino sets March 2019 deadline for 48-team expansion decision
December 10 – Gianni Infantino has confirmed that FIFA will definitely decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup in Qatar can be expanded to 48 teams, though the likelihood of the concept being brought forward from the 2026 tournament appears to be receding.
Four years out from Qatar 2022, the 32 or 48-team debate still lacks FIFA clarity
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Exactly four years to the day before the first ever winter World Cup kicks off, UEFA’s president Aleksander Ceferin says there would have to be a new vote if Qatar 2022 is expanded from 32 to 48 teams and shared with its neighbours.
48 for 2022? Talks are on but caution around expansion of Qatar World Cup
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.
Infantino puts 48-team Qatar 2022 back on agenda, ‘why not?’
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.
Infantino takes whistle-stop tour of fast-completing Qatar 2022 infrastructure
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.
Qatar 2022: EFL considers winter break for Championship
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.
Qatar denies sabotage accusations as focus again switched back to 2010 bidding
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.
Qatar takes learnings from Russia 2018 and is ‘open’ to 48-team discussion
By Samindra Kunti in Moscow
July 16 – Qatar’s Deputy Secretary-General for Tournament Affairs Nasser Al Khater has repeated FIFA stance’s that the 2022 World Cup hosts will have the final decision-making power over the number of participants in four years time.