Moscow warms up for World Cup Final Draw at the Kremlin Palace
November 27 – International football focus is warming up for the World Cup Final Draw which will take place this Friday in Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace.
World Cup
Russian senator claims evidence of ‘US plot’ to discredit 2018 World Cup
By Mark Baber
November 24 – Leading Russian senator Andrei Klimov, said on Thursday that he has credible evidence the United States aims to “discredit” the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia.
Al-Thawadi says 2022 World Cup ‘will always be worth it’, and backs Morocco for 2026
By Andrew Warshaw
November 21 – Despite being buffeted by all manner of “abuse”, whether over human rights, unproven corruption allegations or the tournament being controversially switched to winter, Qatar’s most senior World Cup official says he has absolutely no regrets in bidding for the 2022 tournament.
Peru beat New Zealand in play-off to complete line-up for Russia 2018 finals
November 16 – Peru became the final side to qualify for the World Cup with a 2-0 play-off victory over New Zealand on Wednesday as they reached the finals for the first time since 1982.
Jedinak hat-trick makes it five AFC qualifiers for Russia as Aussies knock-out Honduras
By Ian Griffiths
November 15 – Australia booked their place at next year’s World Cup finals as captain Mile Jedinak struck a second half hat-trick to help earn the Socceroos a richly deserved 3-1 intercontinental play-off win over Honduras at an emotional ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday.
Denmark take final 2018 slot to complete an unfamiliar-looking Euro line-up in Russia
November 15 – Last year at Euro 2016, there were smiling Irish fans wherever you looked while Iceland – who went on to defy their minnow status – joined Sweden as the only Scandinavian representatives at the tournament.
Italy crash out of Russia 2018 as Sweden slay a giant of world football
By Andrew Warshaw
November 14 – Incredible, unthinkable, unimaginable. For the first time in 60 years, the World Cup finals will be without four-time champions Italy after they were eliminated in the playoffs by Sweden on Monday.
Russia opens 2018 showpiece Luzhniki with Argentina sell-out
By Samindra Kunti
November 14 – Russia and Argentina inaugurated Moscow’s refurbished Luzhniki Stadium with a friendly international, but crowd congestion after the match left organisers red faced. In June and July, the venue will host the opening match and the final of the 2018 World Cup.
Senegal wait for CAS ruling on replay before booking Russia 2018 trip
By Andrew Warshaw
November 14 – FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura will no doubt be delighted at her native Senegal qualifying for the World Cup finals next year.
Al-Thawadi says World Cup should not be a political pawn for its blockading neighbours
By Andrew Warshaw
November 13 – As Qatar’s relationship with its Gulf neighbours grows ever more tense, the man leading the country’s 2022 World Cup preparations has re-iterated, not for the first time, that his country has nothing to do with terrorism and is in fact leading the fight against it in the region.
Leaks unveil UAE plan to use financial warfare to undermine Qatar 2022 hosting
By Paul Nicholson
November 10 – The stand-off in the blockade of Qatar by its Gulf neighbours has inevitably dragged the hosting of the 2022 World Cup into the geo-political mix with news that the United Arab Emirates has a plan to attack Qatar’s currency and devalue its economy. Alongside the financial warfare sits a PR offensive designed to destroy confidence in the Qatari economy and change the hosting status of 2022.
ITUC’s Burrow hails Qatar’s ending of kafala as start of a ‘new era’
November 10 – One of the fiercest critics of Qatar’s record on workers rights has welcomed steps made by the Qataris to end the ‘kafala’ employment system in the country and says other Gulf leaders should copy Qatar’s lead.
St Petersburg official admits to $850k stadium scam
November 10 – A former deputy governor of St Petersburg has admitted to his involvement in an embezzlement scheme related to the construction of the city’s World Cup stadium.
Billion dollar play-off. Peru playing for big stakes in 2018 qualification decider
November 9 – The 2018 World Cup play off between Peru and New Zealand could be worth at least $1.3 billion to the South American country if they are successful.
384 Russian hooligans now on ban-list ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup
By Mark Baber
November 8 – Russia has banned 384 citizens from attending sports events, according to Deputy Department Head of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Countering Extremism Sergei Pershenkov, who was speaking at a roundtable discussion in the State Duma on Tuesday.