Al-Khater says Qatar 2020 still at 32-teams, though feasibility study for 48 is in play
April 9 – Qatar has indicated it will not be pressured into having the 2022 World Cup expanded to 48 teams against its will.
World Cup
Infantino uses AFC platform to keep up pressure for 48-team Qatar 2022
April 8 – Gianni Infantino has upped the ante once again in his bid to gain global support for his controversial plan to change the landscape of club world football as well as expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.
Infantino’s Gulf War. 48-team 2022 could make diplomatic situation worse, says survey
March 20 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams and sharing hosting rights with Qatar’s neighbours risks worsening tensions in the region, according to a new survey.
Al-Khater says no deal done with neighbours to share Qatar 2022
March 11 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup CEO Nasser Al-Khater has added his voice to speculation that the tournament could be shared with Kuwait and Oman by insisting that no decision has been made on the issue.
Kuwait and Oman mooted as venue solutions for a 48-team Qatar 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
March 7 -With little more than a week to go until the all-important Miami summit of FIFA’s decision-making Council, Gianni infantino is reportedly working to try and rescue the idea of expanding the 2022 Qatar World Cup to 48 teams.
Russia pitch for South American Supercup hosting
March 6 – Russia is in talks to break new ground by hosting next year’s South American Supercup, according to the country’s sports ministry.
FIFA ramp up Qatar 2022 stadium visits with focus on going operational with JV initiative
February 28 – FIFA have competed another stadium inspection visit to Qatar focussing on various stadium facilities, including competition areas, ticketing, marketing, media, broadcasting, IT, hospitality, protocol, security and health and safety.
Bolivia ready to join South American bid for 2030 World Cup hosting
By Samindrra Kunti
February 22 – Bolivia has offered to join Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay in their bid to host the 2030 World Cup, promoting the idea of a pan-South American World Cup.
Putin and Infantino meet in Moscow for 2018 legacy love-in
February 21 – In a transparent exercise in mutual back-slapping Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Gianni Infantino to help ensure last year’s World Cup has a long-term legacy which isn’t always the case with World Cup hosts.
With Miami deadline approaching Infantino keeps up drum roll for 48-team 2022
February 18 – Gianni Infantino is repeating the same rhetoric ahead of next month’s decision-making FIFA Council session in Miami saying he is “optimistic” about expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams but warned that it would “not be easy”.
Chile join South American bid for 2030 World Cup hosting
By Andrew Warshaw
February 15 – Chile are to join Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in bidding to stage the 2030 World Cup in what, if successful, would be the first ever four-nation joint hosting.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Infantino in Qatar for a kick-around
February 13 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a surprise visit to Doha on Tuesday as Qatar marked National Sports Day.
Spinning a £5.5m tale: UK government lobbyist who wanted to take on Qatar
By Andrew Warshaw
February 12 – A political spin doctor who worked for Britain’s Conservative party attempted to scupper Qatar’s bid to stage the 2022 World Cup according to UK reports.
FIFA moves to assert closer control over Qatar 2022 delivery
By David Owen
February 6 – FIFA has moved to assert control over the Qatar 2022 World Cup delivery process. The governing body has announced establishment of a joint venture with the Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee (LOC) that will take responsibility for the planning and delivery of operations and services for the tournament, scheduled for the first time for a northern-hemisphere winter.
Qatar reaffirms commitment to ‘lasting’ labour law change after Amnesty criticism
February 6 – World Cup hosts Qatar have responded to claims by Amnesty International that time is running out to implement globally acceptable labour reforms by pledging the country is entirely committed to stopping widespread abuse.