FIFA’s 2022 ‘Summer’ task force set for first pow wow
By Andrew Warshaw
September 2 – The FIFA-appointed Task Force set up 10 months ago to decide on the best date for the 2022 Qatar World Cup will meet for the first time on September 8.
Qatar 2022
Qatar responds to breaches of migrant worker laws and promises action
By Andrew Warshaw
July 31 – Organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have been quick to respond to the latest wave of criticism over the mistreatment of construction workers saying they are “actively looking into” the latest reports and are “heavily dismayed” at some of the claims.
Qataris pass first laws to take heat out of migrant worker work conditions
By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Qatar’s authorities have approved key measures to improve the treatment of foreign workers amid pressure to comply with international standards in the buildup to the 2022 World Cup.
Qataris test cooling technology in open air Doha fan zone, no-one died
July 4 – Brazil 2014 World Cup summer fever has bumped heads with the much-talked about June heat in Qatar. But not all fans have been getting hot under the collar as Qatar 2022 organisers have been testing cooling technology in an open air fan zone in Katera, Doha.
Qataris unveil 60,000 seat Al Khor stadium design
June 22 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have unveiled the name and design for another of its proposed World Cup stadia – a 60,000-capacity venue in Al Khor which is scheduled to stage a semi-final and is due to be completed in 2018.
Qatar gets 2022 support from GCC despite being at political ‘war’
By Paul Nicholson
June 17 – In a region split by political division and posturing, the Qatar 2022 World Cup has forged a significant alliance, at least of outlook, within the country’s closest neighbours.
Interpol respond to ‘false’ media report in British press
By Paul Nicholson
June 17 – International police organisation Interpol has issued a statement in response to what it says is a “false report” published in a leading British Sunday newspaper last weekend.
Qatar breaks silence to rebut media attacks and clarify Bin Hammam relationship
By Andrew Warshaw in Brazil
June 15 – Having seemingly finally run of patience over media allegations of corruption surrounding their World Cup bid, Qatar’s 2022 organisers have delivered their most forceful defense to date, directly linking the allegations to the timing of the ongoing investigation being conducted by FIFA’s ethics committee prosecutor Michael Garcia into the entire 2018 and 2022 process.
Qataris release more detail of Al Wakrah Stadium schedule
May 20 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have announced the second phase of construction at Al Wakrah, the first of the proposed venues to stage the finals. Last week the Qataris announced sweeping changes to their own labour laws though there was still criticism from pressure groups that they hadn’t gone far enough.
Qataris feel pride and passion for 2022, while the Brits turn their noses up
By Paul Nicholson
May 5 – Depending on which part of the world you ask the questions, you will get different reactions and emotions regarding the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Doha-based Agency 222 conducted a survey that found local feeling was that the World Cup was defining and shaping an emerging nation.
Euro politicos complete Qatar visit and report that change is underway
By Andrew Warshaw
March 25 – European Parliament officials believe Qatar is already making up ground to get to grips to with the workers’ rights issue that has plagued 2022 World Cup organisers.
Inside Insight: You gotta love the old racial profiling game
March 25 – Not a fan of Qatar and aware of numerous potential and obvious downsides (debilitating summer heat above all), we have always kept an open mind about a World Cup in the Middle East, once the hosting rights were allotted.
US’s Garber steps into Qatar debate saying they could host 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
March 21 – The debate over staging the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been stoked again by hard-hitting remarks in the United States from MLS Commissioner Don Garber who championed the ability of his own country to take the job on.
Interview with Jérôme Valcke: There must be construction safety in Qatar
FIFA is happy that Qatar 2022 is building landmark stadia and infrastructure, but general secretary Jérôme Valcke says that while the debate on the issues has moved on, the construction companies and the Qatari authorities must ensure there are no more deaths
Qatar 2022 date change ruling unlikely before March 2015
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 – There have been more indications – this time from the clubs – that no decision on moving the 2022 Qatar World Cup from the heat of the Gulf summer will be taken until next year.