Al Thawadi says World Cup has been transformational, time will tell
By Andrew Warshaw
December 20 – Qatar’s World Cup chief Hassan Al Thawadi insists the tournament changed perceptions of the region and transformed his country.
World Cup
How Argentina won the 23-game World Cup
December 20 – An analysis of the Argentine player data from World Cup qualifying to World Cup final by the CIES Football Observatory shows how coach Lionel Scaloni used 40 players en route to the big prize.
FIFA rejected proposal of Ukrainian world peace message before World Cup final
December 19 – World Cup organisers reportedly rejected a personal request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to deliver an address ahead of Sunday’s final.
Salman hails Qatar 2022 organisation as showcasing Asia’s ability
December 19 – With the Qatar 2022 World Cup now complete, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the hosting capabilities of Qatar in delivering the first World Cup in the Arab world and the second in Asia.
Defeated Deschamps says his French future will be decided in New Year
December 19 – Following a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Argentina, French coach Didier Deschamps left his future as manager of the national team in the balance.
Argentina stop France in World Cup final classic. Messi attains immortality
By Samindra Kunti in Lusail
December 18 – In one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time, Argentina and Lionel Messi attained immortality defeating France and hat-trick star Kylian Mbappe from the penalty spot after a 3-3 draw.
Argentina vs France; Messi vs Mbappe. A crowning and a de-throning, but which way round?
December 16 – After 62 matches, it’s down to the last two: on Sunday France and Kylian Mbappe and Argentina and Lionel Messi will face off to crown the world champion and bring the 22nd edition of the World Cup, the first one in the Middle East, to a close.
Shadow of Cristiano? Portugal end Santos’ contract two years early
December 18 – Portugal have parted company with coach Fernando Santos following their shock 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Morocco at the World Cup.
English fans leave Qatar with clean record of no arrests
December 16 – In something of a first, no doubt fuelled in part by the widespread alcohol ban, not a single British fan has been arrested at the World Cup in Qatar, according to the UK’s football policing lead.
Man City trained most players for national teams, but Ajax had highest number in Qatar
December 15 – Dutch giants Ajax have trained more players for World Cup teams (11) than any other club, according to latest data from the CIES Football Observatory.
Morocco’s record breaking World Cup run broken by French resistance, and Mbappe
By Samindra Kunti in Al Khor
December 15 – After a history-making run, Moroccan hearts were finally broken. But following their 2-0 semi-final defeat to defending champions France coach Walid Regragui said that with a sense of pride prevailed that his side had shown “a good image”.
Nepalese call on Infantino to ‘stop looking the other way’ over migrant worker compensation
December 15 – More than three dozen Nepali civil society groups have called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to “stop looking the other way” while migrant workers in Qatar are denied compensation.
Moroccan fans left at home for semi-final after Qataris restrict flights into Doha
December 14 – Morocco’s national airline said it was cancelling all flights it had scheduled for today to carry hundreds more fans to Doha for the eagerly awaited World Cup semi-final, citing what it said was a decision by Qatari authorities to restrict air travel.
Messi says final will be his last World Cup game as Argentina aim for third title
December 14 – Lionel Messi is just one match away from the securing the biggest achievement of his glittering trophy-rich career after leading Argentina into their sixth World Cup final.
Kaili says she feels betrayed by EU over Qatar bribery allegations
December 14 – Eva Kaili, one of the key figures caught up in the latest burgeoning scandal involving World Cup hosts Qatar, says she feels betrayed by European Parliament colleagues who stripped the Greek MEP of her role as vice president of the assembly.