Pogba out of France World Cup squad
November 1 – Reigning champions France have suffered another blow ahead of the World Cup with the news that midfielder Paul Pogba will miss the tournament after failing to recover from knee surgery.
Qatar 2022
German envoy pulls out of Qatar visit after minister questions HR record and 2022 hosting
October 31 – Qatar’s World Cup preparations continue to be buffeted by off-the-field political interventions with Germany’s human rights envoy postponing an official visit.
Unauthorised ticket sales sites list England group games at $10k+
October 31 – Thousands of fans heading to the World Cup risk having their tickets annulled because of the volume being sold on unauthorised websites, cybersecurity experts have warned.
China’s vivo to use new Qatar 2022 hook-up to promote foldable smartphone
October 30 – With just 21 days to go before the Qatar 2022 World Cup kick-off, Chinese smartphone-maker vivo has announced it has become an Official Sponsor and the Official Smartphone of the event.
FBI probe former CIA agent Qatar used to spy on 2022 bid rivals
October 28 – Next month’s World Cup in Qatar has been rocked by further allegations of underhand methods used to win the vote to stage the event 12 years ago.
Australian squad turns up pressure on Qataris to speed up reform with 16-player video message
October 27 – Australia’s World Cup squad are the latest country to take aim at Qatar’s human rights record, issuing a three-minute video focussing on treatment of foreign workers and restrictions on the LGBTQI+ community.
Covid tests will not be required to enter Qatar for World Cup
October 27 – Qatar is set to drop mandatory pre-arrival Covid-19 tests for thousands of visitors from across the globe attending the World Cup.
Ukraine club calls for Qatar 2022 ban on Iran for supplying Russia’s ‘kamikaze’ drones
By Andrew Warshaw
October 25 – FIFA is coming under further pressure to kick Iran out of next month’s World Cup – this time because of its military support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Qatari Emir slams critics of his country for their ‘fabrications and double standards’
October 25 – The ruler of Qatar has taken the unusual step of publicly adding his voice to that of World Cup organisers in denouncing the constant stream of criticism levelled against the host nation in the build-up to next month’s tournament.
Qataris deny HRW report of LGBT+ arrests and beatings
October 24 – Despite promises by organisers and FIFA president Gianno Infantino that everyone will be welcome at the Qatar World Cup regardless of gender or sexual orientation, it’s a very different story on the ground in the build-up to the tournament, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
US Soccer joins growing group of FAs calling for remediation fund for Qatar’s migrant workers
October 19 – US Soccer has become the latest football federation to support a compensation fund for migrant workers in Qatar.
US ambassador tells Qataris if you invite the world you need to be open to it
October 19 – The United States expects “patience and tolerance” from Qatari authorities when the Gulf state welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans to the World Cup next month.
James, Jota and Kante out of Qatar 2022 as injury lists mount
October 19 – With little over a month to go before the World Cup, several nations are being forced to revise their plans, with a number of key players ruled out by injury.
Infantino says Qatar is ready to welcome the whole world for ‘best-ever’ World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
October 18 – In the face of continued western media scepticism, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and World Cup organisers are cranking up the public relations narrative, insisting to anyone who will listen that the tournament in Qatar will be remembered for all the right reasons.
Political shape-shifting: FBI joins FIFA in Qatar, Emir and Putin declare their love
October 14 – In a remarkable turn round, the FBI and FIFA have teamed up to protect this winter’s World Cup in Qatar from potential crime including match-fixing.