Qatari tax on ‘health-damaging’ goods will include alcohol
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.
World Cup
Infantino opens 2019 with renewed speculation on 48-team Qatar 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Brand new year, same old rhetoric from FIFA about an expanded World Cup in 2022.
Qataris plan a kosher welcome for 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.
End of the road? Mutko confirms he will not contest Russian FA presidency
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).
4 years to go: Qatar’s National Day celebrates a milestone on the journey to 2022 final
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.
Qatar wait for FIFA study as 48-team 2022 decision pushed to March council meeting
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.
Qataris turn on the style with unveiling of 2022 showpiece Lusail Stadium
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.
Qatar 2022: Lusail Stadium grows out of the desert, bringing a brand new city with it
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.
Friend or foe? Infantino closes Doha summit with another call for 48-team 2022 World Cup
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”.
Top brass gather in Qatar for grand reveal of 2022 showpiece Lusail Stadium design
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.
Balkan bid quartet plan meet to discuss 2030 World Cup bid
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.
Qatar 2022: Infantino sets March 2019 deadline for 48-team expansion decision
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.
World Cup fever: Conmebol want to play every two years
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.
Four years out from Qatar 2022, the 32 or 48-team debate still lacks FIFA clarity
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Exactly four years to the day before the first ever winter World Cup kicks off, UEFA’s president Aleksander Ceferin says there would have to be a new vote if Qatar 2022 is expanded from 32 to 48 teams and shared with its neighbours.
Spanish PM invites Morocco and Portugal for joint 2030 World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – The possibility of a multi-candidate battle to stage the 2030 World Cup has been stepped up with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez (pictured left) saying his country would definitely like to join forces with Portugal and Morocco.