World Cup: Two potential last 16 matches that will set the pulse racing
November 22 – Six months later than scheduled, the 2022 World Cup is finally here. Controversy has dominated the media, but it’s now time for football to do the talking.
Qatar 2022
Al Bidda fanfest chaos as supporters flood venue and riot police struggle to maintain safety
November 21 – The main World Cup fan zone in central Doha, where thousands of fans will watch games over the next month, got off to an inauspicious start on Sunday amid scenes of chaos verging on the outright dangerous, according to multiple reports.
Infantino’s lunatic rant stuns, chastises and divides world football
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
November 19 – In what was probably the most remarkable, unhinged and illogical rant ever made by a leading sports administrator, the kind of nonsense straight out of the Donald Trump play book, FIFA president Gianni Infantino embarqued on an almost-hour-long justification of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and chastisement of the western world.
World Cup opens with celebration of Qatar, a call for unity and a match that won’t be remembered
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor, Qatar
November 20 – After a twelve-year wait and the most controversial build-up in history, Qatar and the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani opened the World Cup on Sunday with a message of unity, tinged with a political and religious overtone, after months of intense scrutiny of the host nation’s human rights record.
Benzema ruled out as France’s injury list grows
November 21 – France’s hopes of retaining the World Cup, already severely compromised by the loss of several key players, have suffered the most crippling blow of all with striker Karim Benzema ruled out of the tournament.
Saudis keep up outreach with Singapore MoU and a pavilion on Doha’s corniche
November 21 – Saudi Arabia is continuing its football charm offensive, signing an MoU with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), and on the ground in Qatar opening a dedicated pavilion showcasing the country’s culture and football history.
FIFA sells out its Qatar 2022 sponsorship packages
November 21 – With the addition of three last minute regional sponsors, FIFA has announced that all its sponsorship packages for the Qatar 2022 World Cup have been sold out.
Concacaf go local in Qatar with pop-up Concacafe
November 21 – At last a positive story from Qatar. Concacaf, in support of its qualified teams Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and United States, and is opening its Concacafe – a pop-up cafe in the heart of Doha.
Last-minute ban on alcohol sales at Qatar 2022 stadia
November 18 – In a last-minute u-turn by World Cup organisers and FIFA, alcohol will not be sold at the eight stadiums in Qatar.
After 12 years of controversy, Qatar 2022 makes it to kick-off
By Andrew Warshaw
November 18 – Two days to go and counting to the first and most probably last winter World Cup, staged slap bang in the middle of the domestic season. Like it or not, it’s happening but rarely, if ever, has so much attention been focussed on matters off as well as on the field.
Qatar 2022 loses another superstar as Sadio Mane ruled out of finals
November 18 – In a severe blow to Aliou Cisse’s team, Senegal star striker Sadio Mané has been ruled out of the World Cup with a leg injury.
Dutch to auction World Cup match shirts to support migrant workers
November 17 – The shirts worn by the Netherlands team during the World Cup will be auctioned afterwards to support migrant workers in Qatar.
FIFA launch social media monitoring programme but can they be trusted with the data?
November 17 – FIFA in collaboration with Fifpro have launched social media protection service for players at the World Cup Qatar 2022.
Israel tells citizens to keep low profile in Qatar for their own safety
November 17 – Israel is urging its citizens travelling to the World Cup in Qatar to keep a low profile.
A Bud night out at the Qatar 2022 Fan Fest will cost a whopping £12.50 a pint
November 17 – World Cup organisers have once again changed their beer plans. After moving vending stalls out of sight, the price for a can if Budweiser will cost 50 Qatari riyals (£12.50) inside the main fan zone.