By Andrew Warshaw
June 6 – They may have been second best over 90 minutes but a combination of an inspired goalkeeping display and the support of a passionate crowd helped Wales get over the line on Sunday as they reached their first World Cup finals for 64 years with a 1-0 win over luckless war-torn Ukraine.
June 1 – A packed stadium and the whole of Scotland will be supporting the home side. But pretty much the rest of the world will be rooting for the visitors, Ukraine.
May 31 – FIFA and Qatar’s claims that the 2022 World Cup will be carbon neutral have been cast into doubt by a new report drafted by climate experts.
May 27 – Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko said his team hopes to make their country proud when they take on Scotland in a World Cup playoff semi-final next week.
May 24 – The ruler of Qatar has hit back at what he describes as unprecedented attacks on his country, including by those “in a position of influence”, in the build-up to the World Cup later this year.
May 23 – The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has said that gay fans will be welcome at the 2022 World Cup, but demanded that visitors “respect our culture”.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 19 – Amnesty International, Football Supporters Europe and eight other human rights and fan groups have collectively urged FIFA to put up a minimum $440 million – roughly the equivalent of World Cup prize money – as a compensation fund for hundreds of thousands of migrant workers they claim have suffered abuses in preparation for the tournament in November.
May 13 – A media investigation has revealed that a number of FIFA-recommended hotels in Qatar have refused to accept LGBTQ+ guests despite previous claims that those of all gender persuasions would be welcomed for the World Cup.
May 6 – Chile have filed a claim with FIFA, questioning Ecuador’s World Cup spot over the eligibility of player Byron Castillo, alleging he used a false passport and birth date to represent the country.
May 6 – World governing body FIFA has received 3 million ticket requests for the World Cup final in Qatar and high demand to attend some of the tournament’s marquee group-stage games.
May 5 – FIFA has selected Qatar’s Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium as the venue for the intercontinental play-off matches that will decide the final two places for the 2022 World Cup finals in the country later this year.
May 3 – FIFA has said that fans from around at the world requested 23.5 million tickets in the latest sales phase for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
April 19 – Despite the devastating invasion by Russia, Ukraine is not letting the war crush its hopes of reaching World Cup finals and has agreed to play its postponed playoff with Scotland on June 1.
By Samindra Kunti
April 8 – A new report from Amnesty International has revealed that security guards involved in projects linked to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are being subject to conditions that “amount to forced labour” with the human rights group urging FIFA to act.
April 4 – Fans at the World Cup in Qatar may have rainbow flags confiscated by security in order to “protect” them against perceptions they are “insulting” local society, a senior official has claimed.