Qatar set to finalise its 2022 stadium build plan
By Andrew Warshaw
August 12 – Qatar hopes to finally reveal how many stadiums it will use in total for the 2022 World Cup by the end of this year.
Qatar 2022
Musical hotels as presidential candidates begin the confederation dance
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 26 – You know instinctively when battle lines start to be drawn for FIFA presidential elections. A raft of media organisations camp outside the various confederation hotels keen to pick up any gossip in terms of how the ballot is likely to play out and any late tactical changes of allegiance.
Qataris commit to abolishing Kafala but critics still baying for blood
By Andrew Warshaw
May 6 – Qatar’s labour minister has pledged to abolish the country’s controversial ‘kafala’ employment system, which has become a major focus of criticism since the Gulf state was awarded the 2022 World Cup, before the end of this year.
Jordaan draws parallels between plans for Qatar 2022 and South Africa 2010
May 1 – Speaking in Qatar, Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and now president of the South African Football Association, drew parallels with Qatar’s plans for 2022 and the first edition of the finals tournament on the African continent in 2010.
Qatar unveils design for Al-Rayyan stadium, the fifth new build to date
April 23 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have unveiled plans for a fifth stadium as they attempt to focus on infrastructure despite the continuing scrutiny about workers rights and the fact the tournament will be staged in winter.
Qataris buoyant and move on, despite Zwanziger’s fading voice
By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – Hassan al-Thawadi’s (pictured) mood was as bright as the spring sun that shone down over Zurich. For months – no, make that years – Qatar’s multi-lingual 2022 World Cup organising chief has had to field all manner of attacks over his country’s right to stage the tournament, whether it should be in summer or winter and what would happen if workers’ rights were not improved.
It’s official, officially: Qatar’s 2022 Winter World Cup will be played in Nov-Dec
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
March 19 – After more than four years of often heated and fractious debate, FIFA finally confirmed today that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be played in November and December with the final on Sunday, December 18.
Qatar promises human rights progress, but questions rise over how fast
By Andrew Warshaw
March 18 – In a week when the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will take centre stage as FIFA announces the exact November-December dates, the country has again pledged to push ahead with reforming its controversial ‘kafala’ labour system – but has stopped short of presenting a timetable for when this will happen.
Blatter pushes on Qatar workers’ rights as 2022 date announcement nears
March 16 – In a week when FIFA is due to announce the dates for the first ever winter World Cup in 2022, Sepp Blatter is keeping up the pressure on hosts Qatar to improve conditions for migrant workers.
Zwanziger returns to Qatar theme and calls for World Cup 2022 to be moved
March 11 – Germany’s outgoing FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger has taken yet another opportunity to call for Qatar to be stripped of the 2022 World Cup.
Foster wins Qatar’s Lusail Stadium design contract
March 10 – Qatar has awarded the Design Architect contract for its showpiece Lusail Stadium to UK firm Foster + Partners. The stadium is the proposed venue for the opening ceremony and the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Clubs soften on Winter 2022 after Rummenigge meets Blatter
March 4 – Europe’s leading clubs are reported to have softened their anger over the decision in principle to switch the 2022 World Cup to winter following a meeting between the head of the European Club Association and FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Blatter plays Santa and gives Europe its Christmas 2022 back
By Andrew Warshaw in Belfast
February 27 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been quick to clear up arguably the main sticking point regarding the 2022 winter World Cup by promising it will not stretch as far as two days before Christmas.
Exclusive: 2022 World Cup in the bag! England have never lost an international in December
By David Owen
February 26 – Phil Neville, the former Manchester United, Everton and England footballer turned BBC pundit, swam against the tide this week. While many in the country that invented football were bemoaning the FIFA task force recommendation to stage the 2022 World Cup in November and December, Neville said it might be “the best thing that’s ever happened” to England.
The verdicts: round-up of reactions to Winter 2022 proposal
February 25 – The firm recommendation to stage the 2022 World Cup in winter has prompted intense reaction from among supporters and critics alike. Below is a summary of the reaction from the key stakeholders.