Qatar 2022 World Cup draw reportedly scheduled for April 1
February 17 – It’s not an April Fool’s joke but the draw for the World Cup finals in Qatar is reportedly being scheduled for April 1.
World Cup
Brazil and Argentina to replay abandoned qualifier; Martinez, Lo Celso, Romero, Buendia banned
By Samindra Kunti
February 15 – FIFA have ordered Brazil and Argentina to replay their World Cup qualifier that was abandoned last September when Brazilian health officials stormed the pitch in Sao Paulo over alleged Covid-19 accusations by Argentinian visitors.
Qatar 2022: Canada bid for Concacaf crown, US and Mexico seek to repel all usurpers
January 27 – The eight Concacaf nations in the final World Cup qualification return to action tonight in an international window that will see them play three matches in eight days.
African final qualifying draw pitches Salah vs Mane for a place at Qatar 2022
January 23 – Egypt vs Senegal and Nigeria vs Ghana will headline Africa’s World Cup playoffs to decide the continent’s five representatives at the finals in Qatar.
Qatar 2022 tickets sales opens to 1.2m requests in first 24 hours
January 21 – More than 1.2 million tickets were requested within the first 24 hours of going on sale for the World Cup in Qatar in November.
Qatar 2022 World Cup ticket sales open with final priced at $1,617 for Cat1
January 19 – Tickets for the Qatar 2022 World Cup have gone on sale, with individual ticket prices ranging from $69 to $1,607 for the showpiece final.
Turkey commits 3,250-person force to Qatar for 2022 World Cup security
January 19 – Turkey say they will send 3,250 security officers to Qatar for the World Cup in November this year.
Yellow card amnesty for European World Cup plays offs benefits 100 players, but not Ibra
January 18 – An amnesty for yellow cards in European qualifying for the World Cup has lifted the threat of suspension for dozens of players involved in the playoffs in March.
Houston 2026 bid team unveils 73-point human rights plan for their hosting
January 14 – With the Qatar 2022 World Cup to be hosted at the end of this year in a country with a questionable human rights track record, the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee have come up with their own community-driven Human Rights Report to support their own venue hosting credentials.
World Cup 2026 will be a game changer. Edmonton wants to be part of it
By Paul Nicholson
December 22 – Talk of a biennial World Cup has overshadowed some of the crucial decision making to be made around the 2026 World Cup, and event that in itself will be groundbreaking, both for FIFA and football.
Qatari court jails former SC comms chief Ibhais for 3-years on fraud charge
By Samindra Kunti in Lusail, Qatar
December 15 – On appeal, Abdullah Ibhais, a former employee of the Supreme Committee for Legacy and Delivery (SC), was sentenced to three years in prison for “fraud” in Qatari court on Wednesday.
Tromsø kit keeps focus on Qatari human rights with QR code linking to sports washing page
December 7 – Norwegian top-flight club Tromsø have produced an innovative team shirt featuring a QR code that puts the spotlight on human rights issues in Qatar with just under a year until the World Cup.
Qatar set for Arab Cup kick off and another test of 2022 readiness
November 30 – Mauritania and Tunisia kick off the FIFA Arab Cup tonight, a tournament that will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2022 World Cup organisers.
Qatar to host OFC nations for centralised 2022 World Cup qualifying
November 30 – Qatar will host the 2022 Oceania World Cup qualifiers featuring eight participants following the withdrawal of both Samoa and American Samoa, FIFA have announced.
Third Norwegian journalist detained in Qatar
November 30 – In the build-up to the 2022 World Cup and with press coverage intensifying on the hosts Qatar, a third Norwegian journalist has been arrested in the country but later released without charge.