Qatar may reduce the number of stadiums proposed for World Cup 2022
By Mark Baber
April 24 – According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Qatar may reduce the number of stadiums for the 2022 world cup from the widely expected 12 to 8 or 9.
World Cup
Builder guarantees Brasilia airport will be complete for 2014
April 23 – Work upgrading the Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport in Brasilia has been guaranteed to be completed on time for the World Cup in June 2014, as negotiations for new retail concessions get under way.
Rain stops play at new Brasilia stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
April 17 – The stadium being used for the start of the Confederations Cup, the World Cup warm-up tournament, will only be officially opened a month beforehand. The news is a blow to Brazilian authorities who have pledged that the country will stage a World Cup to remember, but have suffered delays and setbacks in the preparation – this being the latest.
Russian revolution promises new, safe, stadia and no visas for 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent, in Manchester
April 11 – Russian football may have been blighted by hooliganism, racism and other misdemeanours on and off the field, but the whole image of the country will have changed by the time the World Cup takes place, said Alexander Djordjadze, deputy CEO of Russia’s World Cup organising committee, speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester today.
Brazilian ‘pride’ as Arena Fonte Nova opens on time
By Mark Baber
April 9 – Brazil completed its third stadium in readiness for the Confederation Cup later this year. The Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Bahia state, held its first match April 7 after four years of planning and construction, with local rivals Vitoria beating Bahia 5-1.
Roof falls in on Rio build plans as Joao Havelange Stadium is forced to close
By Mark Baber
March 28 – Joao Havelange stadium, which has been the main football venue in Rio de Janeiro as the Maracana is undergoing renovation, has had to close down due to serious structural problems with the roof and is unlikely to reopen any time soon.
Date dispute over postponed NI vs Russia World Cup qualifier
March 25 – FIFA could be forced into making a ruling on when to reschedule the World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and Russia, twice postponed because of the unseasonally hostile weather that has ripped through most of Britain.
Qataris say they are committed to a Summer World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
March 22 – Local organisers of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, having listened to claims and counter-claims over whether to switch the tournament from summer to winter, have responded by saying they would be willing to host at either time but still have a preference for summer.
2022 Qatar World Cup is still a summer event, no change, says Blatter
By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
March 21 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today gave his most unequivocal statement to date that the 2022 Qatar World Cup will be staged in summer – as per the terms of the original bid process.
Cairos is third bidder to join goal line tech race
By Andrew Warshaw
February 26 – One of the first companies to offer a system for goal line technology is back in the fray after being granted a license by FIFA – and has joined the race to be selected for next year’s World Cup.
Qatar builds on its building reputation
February 25 – Qatar is further opening its construction doors to the world and hosting the World Stadium Congress 2013 in Doha, 2-5 June.
Brazilian customs have a lot of balls
February 21 – Brazilian customs announced Wednesday that they had seized 200,000 counterfeit Chinese balls which were being smuggled into the country.
Maracana workers strike raises new Confederation Cup fears
By Mark Baber
February 20 – Fresh fears of whether Brazil will be ready in time to host the 2013 Confederations Cup Construction have arisen again, as workers refurbishing the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro went on strike on Monday.
FIFA commits to biological profiles for all players at 2014 World Cup
February 15 – Anti-doping authorities and FIFA have not always been comfortable bedfellows but both sides put on a positive spin after meeting at the headquarters of world football’s governing body on Thursday.
Report warns of human rights issues for 2022 World Cup build
The Human Rights Watch report has flagged potential human rights issues for migrant workers ahead of the World Cup 2022 build in Qatar.