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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
November 17 – The shirts worn by the Netherlands team during the World Cup will be auctioned afterwards to support migrant workers in Qatar.
November 17 – FIFA in collaboration with Fifpro have launched social media protection service for players at the World Cup Qatar 2022.
November 17 – Israel is urging its citizens travelling to the World Cup in Qatar to keep a low profile.
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.
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.
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.
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.