Danes blame early exit on overbearing pressure of Qatar’s human rights issues
December 1 – Danish head coach Kasper Hjulmand has blamed the off-the-field controversies at the Qatar World Cup for his team’s failure at the tournament.
Qatar 2022
Green and Gold Aussies spearhead Asian challenge and a generational shift
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
December 1 – Do Australia have a new golden generation? Yes, at least in the view of Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, who hailed his players after a dour 1-0 victory against Denmark was enough to ensure passage to the last 16 of the World Cup, for only the second time in Australia’s history.
Collina defends decision to increase added time minutes
December 1 – Almost every game at this World Cup has exceeded 100 minutes in length, but FIFA’s head of referees has defended his referees for the vast amounts of injury time being added.
Iranians exit the World Cup as Qatari authorities clampdown on protesters
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 30 – With the backdrop of the most politically-charged encounter of the World Cup so far, the United States defeated Iran 1-0 to progress to the last 16. However, the encounter was marred by security incidents as Qatari authorities tried to prevent political protests.
Iran released jailed footballers on bail ahead of crunch US tie
November 30 – On the day of Iran’s exit from the World Cup in Qatar following a 1-0 defeat to the US, the Iranian regime released two former national team footballers who had been arrested for joining nationwide protests prompted by the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police.
beIN Sports reports record breaking 1bn+ viewers for Qatar 2022 openers
November 30 – BeIN Sports, the broadcast rights holder for the MENA region for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, is claiming more than 111 million viewers tuned in for the Opening Ceremony, while a cumulative total of more than 900 million watched the first 16 group stage games.
In denial? Qatar 2022 chief Al-Thawadi says construction deaths figure is 400-500 on all sites
November 29 – World Cup boss Hassan Al-Thawadi has said 400-500 migrant workers have died as a result of work done on construction projects, and is sticking by the figure of just three work-related deaths on World Cup projects.
Rainbow flag makes its entry at Lusail via protesting pitch invader
November 29 – A pitch invader with a rainbow flag interrupted the World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay.
Casemiro delivers Brazil into last 16, but ghost of Neymar haunts a misfiring performance
November 29 – Five-time world champions Brazil marched on to the knockout phase of the World Cup with a laboured, but ultimately deserved victory against a limited Swiss side with Casemiro delivering the winning strike in the 83rd minute.
Qataris get political, reminding Germans of Özil protest and showing support for Palestine
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor
November 28 – Qatari fans staged a protest of their own, targeting Germany by holding pictures of the former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during the match against Spain.
World Cup riot: Morocco win sparks violence in Belgium and Holland
November 28 – Following Morocco’s surprise 2-0 victory against Belgium, rioting broke out in Brussels as well as in various Dutch cities as celebrations spilt out of control.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Qatar’s beIN and Saudis in new broadcast spat
November 27 – With relations between Qatar and Saudi Arabia seemingly having found a new level cordiality in polar opposite to the Saudi-led blockade of the country two years ago, a new dispute has arisen around broadcast rights that could threaten the detente.
Serbia face FIFA disciplinary over ‘no surrender’ Kosovo banner in dressing room
November 27 – FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Serbia for hanging a political banner in their dressing room at the World Cup about neighbouring independent state Kosovo.
Emotions run high as Queiroz says Klinsmann’s comments are a ‘disgrace’
November 27 – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has lambasted former German star Juergen Klinsmann for criticising his team’s World Cup behaviour, calling his remarks a “disgrace to football” and urging him to resign from FIFA’s technical study group.
After poor showing, Sanchez says Qatar must build for the future
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 27 – On Tuesday, hosts Qatar will bow out of their home World Cup with a final group game against the Netherlands after they were eliminated from the tournament by losing 3-1 to Senegal.