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.
‘Hand of God’ ball sells for £2m at auction
November 17 – The ball punched in by Diego Maradona for his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal for Argentina at the 1986 World Cup has been sold at auction for nearly £2 million by the referee who missed the sport’s most notorious handball.
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.
UK & Ireland 2028 bid shortlists 14 stadia as official paperwork submitted
November 16 – The five-nation UK & Ireland Bid to host EURO 2028 has officially submitted their Preliminary Bid Dossier with a shortlist of 14 stadia across the five countries that will be whittled down to 10.
Iran’s players can support women’s rights, says Queiros, but ‘bringing joy’ is the big task
November 16 – Amid sweeping protests back home, Iran’s players will be allowed to voice support for women’s rights at the World Cup in Qatar but within the rules of the tournament, coach Carlos Queiros confirmed on Tuesday.
Fifpro warns that pressure of Qatar 2022 workload will break players
November 16 – The danger of having the World Cup in the middle of the European season has been starkly highlighted by the world players’ union Fifpro warning ominously of a greater risk of injury due to the demands of a congested calendar.
Laporta says Barca player spending on hold as Champions League failure bites into finances
November 16 – Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the financially stricken giants may not be able to sign players in the January transfer window due to La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
Ronaldo’s outburst before running away to the sun of Qatar could still come back to haunt him
November 16 – Ronaldo’s explosive accusations in his unauthorised interview with Piers Morgan have opened a set of legal issues that go beyond just his apparent desire for a transfer. While he is on a winter break in at Qatar 2022 in the sun, what awaits his return is unlikely to be so shiny.
NYCFC to get its own stadium in Queens
November 16 – New York Football Club (NYCFC), owned by City Football Group, and New York City have reached a deal for a new football stadium to be built in Queens.
More injury trouble for France as Nkunku limps out of training
November 16 – France have been dealt yet another injury blow on the eve of the World Cup after exciting RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku (pictured) limped out of training on Tuesday.
Cambodia’s Khiev Sameth re-elected for new term as AFF president
November 16 – Cambodia’s Major General Khiev Sameth (pictured) has been re-elected as president of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) at its 8th Congress in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Infantino calls for a World Cup ceasefire in Ukraine war
November 15 – Still reluctant to personally condemn the actions of Russia, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for a one-month ceasefire in Ukraine during the World Cup.
Bundesliga fans unite in series of protests against Qatar’s human rights record
November 15 – Just days before the start of the World Cup, German fans have stepped up their protest against Qatar staging the tournament.
Brazilian FA backs Infantino ‘muzzling’ call but did Tite get the memo?
November 15 – The Brazilian Confederation of Football (CBF) has expressed support for Gianni Infantino’s ‘shut-up-and-play’ policy at the World Cup in Qatar.
American investors rumored to be closing in on Espanyol
November 15 – US investors are turning their attention to Spain with reports that Chen Yansheng, president of RCD Espanyol, is sales talks with an investment fund.