Fake news: FIFA scotches rumours of Infantino 100-minute plan
April 7 – FIFA have been quick to rubbish reports coming out of Italy which suggested World Cup games in Qatar could last 100 instead of 90 minutes.
FIFA
Gelson Fernandes handed African member nation development role at FIFA
April 7 – Former Manchester City and Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes has been appointed FIFA’s new director of member associations for Africa.
Biennial World Cup? Not our proposal, Infantino tells FIFA Congress
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – Perhaps in the knowledge that nearly all of football’s stakeholders are united in opposition, Gianni Infantino tried to distance himself from the highly controversial idea of staging the World Cup every two years by telling the world on Thursday that FIFA never actually proposed the plan in the first place.
Ukraine FA chief sends video reminder from front while Russian FA bosses lap up FIFA luxuries
April 1 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino may have stopped short of holding Russia accountable for the war in Ukraine during Thursday’s FIFA Congress, but the appearance by video of the head of Ukrainian football wearing an armoured vest and making an impassioned plea from the streets of Kyiv presented a very clear message to those in the auditorium.
World Cup draw promises legends, entertainment and the inevitable group of death
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
April 1 – After a dramatic FIFA Congress with a courageous and powerful speech by the Norwegian FA president Lise Klaveness, attention has now shifted to the World Cup draw that will decide the group match-ups and brackets for the 32 participants.
Infantino sidesteps condemning Russia, trumpets Qatar’s human rights reform and says he wants 4 more years
By Andrew Warshaw
March 31 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino, clearly anxious to steer a diplomatic line, deliberately sidestepped criticising Russia by name when addressing the war in Ukraine in front of the organisation’s global membership today.
Norwegian FA boss Klaveness bursts the FIFA and Qatar 2022 human rights feel-good bubble
By Samindra Kunti in Doha
March 31 – The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) president Lise Klaveness slammed FIFA for staging the World Cup in Qatar and the host country for its record on migrant workers and the LGBT Community.
FIFA moves to end ‘warehousing’ of players but fails to apply new rules to U21s
March 31 – FIFA has approved new loan regulations that will come into force in July in a bid to foster development in the game and prevent “hoarding” of players.
Iranian authorities pepper sprayed women trying to enter final Qatar 2022 qualifier
March 31 – While FIFA president Gianni Infantino was banging the drum for world peace, respect, and the power of football to help unify in times of conflict, news from Iran broke of women being pepper sprayed by Iranian authorities as they turned up for Iran’s final World Cup qualifier.
First phase ticket sales for Qatar 2022 top 800,000, says FIFA
March 31 – FIFA has said that 804,186 tickets have been sold during first sales phase for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Adidas gets the Qatar 2022 ball rolling
March 31 – You know the tournament is getting closer when it is time to launch the official ball. FIFA sponsor Adidas has unveiled the new ball for Qatar 2022, named Al Rihla.
QatarEnergy completes FIFA’s roster of World Cup 2022 sponsors
March 28 – QatarEnergy has become a partner of the 2022 World Cup, joining Crytpo.com and BYJU’s who were unveiled as Qatar 2022 sponsors last week.
Indian EdTech business BYJU’s joins Qatar 2022 sponsor roster
March 24 – FIFA has added Indian education technology provider BYJU’S as an official sponsor of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
FIFA juggles next week’s World Cup draw protocols with three slots left open
March 23 – Excitement and anticipation is mounting ahead of next week’s World Cup draw in Qatar which will be conspicuous by the three slots that will still be open because of Russia’s war with Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Crypto.com becomes official crypto trading platform for Qatar 2022
March 23 – Cryptocurrency sponsorship has come to FIFA with Crypto.com becoming the exclusive cryptocurrency trading platform partner for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.