Page 2 - Qatar World Cup 2022

Iran team refuses to sing national anthem at Fifa World Cup match

Iranian captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said the team would take a collective decision on whether or not to refuse to sing the anthem in support of anti-government protesters in Iran

VP Dhankhar emplanes to Qatar, will represent India at FIFA WC inauguration

Dhankhar is visiting Qatar at the invitation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar

Why FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on Sunday, will be one of its kind

Qatar on yellow card with accusations of sportswashing, curbs on fan freedom; many high-profile players to retire

FIFA World Cup 2022: How to get tickets, reach Qatar, watch the game live

FIFA World Cup 2022: Know all the information about how to get tickets for Qatar 2022, how to reach Doha, and how to watch the matches on TV, mobile phones, and laptops in India

Fifa WC 2022: Leverkusen says giving World Cup to Qatar was 'scandalous'

Bayer Leverkusen became the latest Bundesliga club to criticize the World Cup in Qatar by describing the decision to award the tournament to the country as "scandalous" on Tuesday. "The World Cup should never have been awarded to Qatar," Leverkusen said in a statement. "It was the least suitable of all applications for hosting a World Cup according to FIFA's own audit reports. Out of eight new World Cup stadiums, seven were new-build projects. Football culture does not exist in Qatar. From our perspective, that is a knockout criterion for a potential World Cup host." Leverkusen's statement also referred to widely reported issues of homophobia, the lack of freedom of expression and denial of women's rights plus the "unacceptable working conditions" endured by migrant workers in Qatar while helping the country get ready to host the 32-team tournament. "Questions ignored in the award of this tournament 12 years ago on the human rights situation, on equality and the freedom of expressi

Fifa WC 2022: Ronaldo 'thrilled' with Portugal's new generation of players

Cristiano Ronaldo knows a thing or two about World Cups. He has played in four of them and is about to make it to a record-tying fifth this month in Qatar. Ronaldo also knows when he sees something promising, and he believes this time there is reason to feel optimistic about the chances of a talented Portugal squad that mixes the right amount of experience and youth as it tries to win its first World Cup title. "The squad for this World Cup is a great mix of experienced players and young rising stars, and I hope we can show the world what this Portugal team is capable of at the very highest level of the world game," Ronaldo told The Associated Press ahead of the launch of his inaugural NFT collection with cryptocurrency exchange giant Binance. The collection will be available Friday, just before the World Cup starts, and the bidding price for some of the collectibles related to the soccer star will begin at the equivalent of about $10,000. The NFTs will feature seven animated statu

Germany's Lahm says it was 'mistake' to award World Cup 2022 to Qatar

Seven days before the World Cup is due to start in Qatar, former Germany captain Philipp Lahm says it was a mistake to award the tournament to the Gulf Arab country. Lahm, who is head of Germany's organizing committee for the 2024 European Championship, wrote Sunday in a column for Zeit Online that the World Cup does not belong in Qatar and he criticized the human rights situation in the nation. Lahm acknowledged some progress but homosexuals are still being criminalized, women do not have the same rights as men, and there are restrictions on freedom of the press and expression. He added that conditions for migrant workers are devastating. Lahm, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, slammed FIFA for awarding the tournament to Qatar in 2010 when he says there were better candidates available. FIFA has damaged soccer and its credibility as a western organization, said Lahm, who also questioned Qatar's enthusiasm for the sport. Soccer isn't a popular sport in Qatar and there's

Fox to avoid Qatar's treatment of migrant workers during FIFA WC broadcasts

Fox plans to avoid coverage of Qatar's controversial treatment of migrant workers during World Cup broadcasts, much as it didn't address criticism of Russia's government during the 2018 tournament. "Our stance is if it affects what happens on the field of play, we will cover it and cover it fully," David Neal, executive producer of Fox's World Cup coverage, said Thursday. "But if it does not, if it is ancillary to the story of the tournament, there are plenty of other entities and outlets out there that are going to cover that. We firmly believe the viewers come to us to see what happens on the field, on the pitch." Neal spoke at an event to debut images of the network's set in Doha made of LED screens, the hub of its coverage of a tournament that runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. "This set, in typical subtle Fox fashion," he said, "I think it will be visible from Mars." Qatar has been criticized over its treatment of the workers who built the World Cup venues. Paris' city government

Qatar World Cup will be my last, confirms Argentina's Lionel Messi

The 35-year-old plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina national team

FIFA likely to start Qatar World Cup 2022 a day earlier; find out why

The decision to start the World Cup matches a day prior as the football association plans to let the host nation, Qatar play against Ecuador on November 20

FIFA, Qatar prepare beer policy for soccer fans at 2022 World Cup

Beer with alcohol is expected to be sold at World Cup stadiums in Qatar but fans may be allowed to take only non-alcoholic drinks to their seats

Qatar Airways posts record $1.5 bn profit ahead of FIFA World Cup

Qatar Airways, known for on-board comfort and luxury, said Thursday its profits over the fiscal year topped $1.5 bn, marking the highest ever earnings for the carrier

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Ticket sales to open today, lowest $70 globally

Fans can start registering to buy Qatar World Cup tickets on Wednesday with prices for visitors starting at around $70, one-third cheaper than the tournament in Russia

Fifa confirms concussion spotters to be used at 2022 Qatar World Cup

Fifa is introducing concussion spotters at the 2022 Qatar World Cup to help with the treatment of head injuries and 'to make the game a lot safer'

Luis Enrique concerned about Spain''s struggles in qualifiers

As Spain struggled against Georgia, coach Luis Enrique said he felt like he was about to have a heart attack on the sidelines. Spain was coming off a disappointing home draw against Greece a few days earlier and appeared to be on its way to another setback that would leave La Roja winless to start its World Cup qualifying campaign. Its chances of securing an automatic spot for next year's World Cup in Qatar would suddenly be in jeopardy even though it had only played against some of the easier opponents in Group B. A goal by Dani Olmo two minutes into stoppage time on Sunday salvaged a 2-1 victory that left the team two points behind Sweden at the top of the group, bringing some much-needed relief for Luis Enrique. But the coach expects more problems ahead for Spain, including on Wednesday against Kosovo, the least experienced team in the group. I'm worried going into the match against Kosovo, I'm very worried, Luis Enrique said. If we don't have our best game, or the right preci

EAM S Jaishankar visits FIFA 2022 World Cup venue in Qatar built by L&T

Union Minister for External Affairs, S Jaishankar, alongside India's ambassador in Qatar Deepak Mittal, visited the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium which is a 2022 FIFA World Cup venue built by Indian construction giant Larsen & Tubro.

2022 Qatar World Cup to kick start from Nov 21; final on December 18

Host Qatar will open the Middle East's first World Cup in the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium at 3:30 pm IST on Novemebr 21

Xavi believes Lionel Messi will participate in the Qatar 2022 World Cup

He takes good care of himself and he can keep playing until he's 37, 38 or 39, says Xavi

Dope and hope

There are many loopholes in WADA's Russia ban

Qatar delays football World Cup stadium launch due to lack of certification

Three years ahead of the start of the 2022 tournament, Qatar has already launched the brand new 40,000-capacity Al-Janoub stadium and the refurbished Khalifa International ground.