Egyptian choice of Chechnya for World Cup base angers human rights groups
February 13 – FIFA is facing calls from human rights organisations to scrap Chechnya as a World Cup base for Egypt this summer.
World Cup
2026 World Cup in North America would generate $5bn in economic activity, says report
February 9 – An economic impact report on the potential hosting of the 2026 World Cup in the three North American markets of Canada, Mexico and the US, reckons the event would create $5 billion in economic activity and a net benefit of $3-4 billion after taking out potential public costs.
Russia sues stadium builders for $50m over missed construction schedules
February 8 – Russia’s Sports Ministry is suing companies building World Cup stadiums for 2.9 billion rubles ($50.8 million) over delays in constructions schedules.
Qatar’s $575m Al-Wakrah Stadium on course for end 2018 opening
February 8 – The 2022 World Cup venue designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid will be finished by the end of 2018, according to those responsible for the project.
Exclusive: FIFA step in at CAF congress to gag Morocco 2026 from showcasing bid
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – FIFA’s obsessive attempt to ensure the 2026 World Cup bid process is fair and clean has blown up in its face following the revelation that Morocco was gagged from making a presentation to its own African region last week.
Ahmad backs Morocco 2026 bid but stops short of publicly mandating African block vote
By Andrew Warshaw
February 5 – FIFA’s strict (some might argue over-the-top) directive to its member federations not to break any rules during the current lobbying campaign for the 2026 World Cup has led to understandable irritation at the head of African football’s leadership.
Exclusive: FIFA set to analyse Russia 2018 anti-doping samples in Lausanne
By David Owen
February 2 – For the second World Cup running, FIFA is planning to test anti-doping samples at a laboratory outside the host country.
No gifts, no bungs, no collusion. Is 2026 World Cup the most boring FIFA vote ever?
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – As serious lobbying for the 2026 World Cup gets under way, FIFA has reminded its federations not to break strict new guidelines when it comes to their dealings with the two contenders ahead of the vote in June.
From Sochi to Saint Petersburg – via Grozny. Russia’s 2018 World Cup base camps
By David Owen
January 30 – Twenty years have passed since I was dispatched on one of those hardship assignments: a visit to L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Pâtisserie in a quiet little town noted for its brioches in La France profonde.
Qatar 2022: Creating a magic carpet
By Anthony Harwood
January 26 – Another World Cup, another flurry of complaints about the poor condition of some pitches that teams will have to play on.
St Petersburg plans huge 2018 police presence as FIFA reports ticket requests hit 4m
By Samindra Kunti
January 26 – Saint Petersburg will carry out a massive 11,000 police officers strong law enforcement operation during the 2018 World Cup when the city will host six matches, including one semi-final, to ensure the safety and security of travelling fans. To date supporters from around the world have requested more than 4 million tickets during the second sales window of World Cup tickets.
Morocco say FIFA’s stadium criteria will not be an issue in 2026 World Cup bid
January 25 – The head of Morocco’s 2026 World Cup campaign has re-iterated that the country will be able to meet all FIFA’s requirements, not least when it comes to infrastructure.
Party poopers. Russia ready to shut down noisy Ukrainian troublemakers
January 25 – A report by Russia’s state-run newspaper Pravda has accused neighbours Ukraine of trying to disrupt next summer’s World Cup.
Russian tourist board focuses in on profiteering hotels over 5,000% World Cup price hikes
January 24 – Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism has named and shamed a list of hotels that have jacked up their prices by massive amounts for the World Cup.
UNITED 2026 powerplay comes with impressive credentials, no ‘s**t’
By Paul Nicholson
January 23 – The United 2026 World Cup bid heavyweights are on the road, locked and loaded with persuasive arguments and reasoning for why they are the only choice for hosting 2026. Absent were expensive gifts, brown paper bags of cash or even watches (not even Mickey Mouse ones) to shower their voting constituency with. For the faithful, FIFA 2.0 is a serious commitment.