March 5 – Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying schedules may be in disarray around the world, but FIFA has already moved on to the next stage of host city selection for its expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.
March 5 – Portugal have moved their home World Cup qualifying game against Azerbaijan to Turin in a bid to use their leading English-based stars.
March 4 – English Premier League clubs are reported to have held crisis talks over releasing players for this month’s international break amid concerns that some may be forced to quarantine for 10 days on their return.
March 1 – Norwegian top flight clubs Tromso and Odds Ballklubb have urged their FA to boycott the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
February 25 – Norway will play its first ‘home’ World Cup qualifier on neutral venue in Spain next month because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
February 9 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers say they are anticipating full stadiums when the tournament takes place in 21 months’ time.
February 3 – Qatar World Cup organisers have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the country’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) to enhance the human rights legacy of the 2022 global finals.
By David Owen
January 28 – Match Hospitality agents have committed to record World Cup sales targets, auguring well for the sale of official Qatar 2022 hospitality packages, which gets under way on Monday (February 1).
January 27 – FIFA plans to appoint host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico by the last quarter of this year.
December 30 – The expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 will guarantee 11 direct slots to European nations and six to Asian nations.
December 21 – Xavi’s Al Sadd won the Amir Cup for a record 17th time defeating Al Arabia 2-1 to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, the fourth 2022 World Cup venue to be completed.
December 18 – Russia’s participation in the 2022 World Cup has been plunged into jeopardy after a landmark ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) banning the country from using its name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or any world championships for the next two years.
December 18 – Al Sadd and Al Arabi will meet tonight in the final of the Amir Cup to inaugurate the Al Rayyan Stadium, one of eight venues for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
December 9 – World Cup hosts Qatar are to be included as a guest team in the European section of qualifying for the 2022 tournament in order to gain more match experience.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 8 – For once there wasn’t a group of death as such but there is no doubt some got it far easier than others.