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.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 24 – As the Asian Cup moves towards its eagerly awaited conclusion, one of the elephants in the room is the extent to which the United Arab Emirates, as hosts, are putting on a show worthy of being viewed as potential sharers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
January 3 – Drinking alcohol at the World Cup in 2022 is already a highly sensitive subject and now Qatar are set to introduce a 100% tax on all alcohol sales.
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Brand new year, same old rhetoric from FIFA about an expanded World Cup in 2022.
December 28 – A New York rabbi says he has been asked by Qatar for advice on how to plan for Jewish fans at the 2022 World Cup, the first to be held in a predominantly Muslim country.
December 20 – After weeks of conjecture about whether he is back in favour, Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, has finally thrown in the towel at the head of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
By Paul Nicholson in Qatar
December 18 – In exactly four years’ time Qatar will be hosting the final of the 2022 World Cup in the Lusail Stadium in Lusail City. It will be a double celebration for the country, whether they make the final or not, as December 18 is their National Day.
By Andrew Warshaw
December 18 – As FIFA continues to prevaricate over whether to expand the Qatar World Cup in 2022, the Qataris themselves are taking a firm but diplomatic stance.
By Paul Nicholson at the Lusail Marina, Qatar
December 16 – It was a night of stars, fireworks and national celebration as Qatar’s World Cup organisers unveiled the design of the 80,000-capacity showpiece stadium that will host the opening match and final of the greatest show on earth in 2022.
By Paul Nicholson, Lusail City, Qatar
December 16 – They promised amazing and that is what we are going to get. Qatar got down to the real business of World Club football this weekend with the launch of the design of its showpiece Lusail Stadium. Qatar 2022 is well and truly off the starting grid and setting a spectacular pace.
By Paul Nicholson in Doha
December 14 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino concluded the FIFA Summits in Doha, Qatar, yesterday with what is becoming his trademark battle cry for an expansion of the 2022 World Cup to 48 teams and another reference to his being just another “citizen of the world”.
By Paul Nicholson in Doha
December 12 – Guests, dignitaries and media are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the launch on Saturday of the Lusail Stadium design that will be the showpiece venue hosting the opening match and final of the 2022 World Cup.
December 13 – Despite UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin’s preference for one sole bid from Europe, a Balkan grouping of countries hoping to stage the 2030 World Cup say they have just as realistic a chance as anyone else.
December 10 – Gianni Infantino has confirmed that FIFA will definitely decide in March whether the 2022 World Cup in Qatar can be expanded to 48 teams, though the likelihood of the concept being brought forward from the 2026 tournament appears to be receding.
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – In a move that seems likely to generate considerable opposition, especially in Europe, and smacks of financial vested interests, FIFA have been asked by Conmebol to consider staging the World Cup every two years.