The U.S. announced on Monday a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, a response to China’s many human rights abuses. Soccer fans across the country are now wondering: What about Qatar?
Before expanding to 48 nations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2022 competition in Qatar represents the final tournament with 32 competing teams and the cutthroat qualifying cycle that comes with it. With just under a year until kick off on Nov. 21, 2022, what countries have qualified for the World Cup?
Including the host nation of Qatar, we already know 13 of the competing teams at the 2022 World Cup, and the remaining 19 spots are going to fill up quickly over the coming months. We’ll keep this list updated and current for your reading pleasure.
Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, spoke to the media on Tuesday reassuring that LGBTQ+ fans will be allowed to attend soccer’s biggest tournament next year. The assurance from Al Khater wasn’t completely transparent as LGBTQ+ supporters will need to be wary during their trip to Qatar.
What if I told you Qatar hired an ex-CIA officer to run a spy campaign to ensure the tiny but wealthy Middle Eastern country won and held on to the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup? Yeah, that sounds pretty believable.
DOHA — On the outskirts of Doha, low-rise apartment blocks are starting to take shape that will house many of the soccer fans due to descend on the Qatari capital next year for the World Cup 2022.
Qatar, which has been in the spotlight for its treatment of migrant workers on construction sites, hopes the tournament will attract 1.2 million visitors, roughly a third of its population.
On Sunday in front of 65,000 faithful at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal — needing only a draw to qualify for the World Cup — threw it all away in the 90th minute by allowing Aleksandar Mitrović to convert a back post header that sent Serbia to Qatar instead.
The Premier League will pause after the weekend of Nov. 12-13 next season and resume on Dec. 26 to accommodate the World Cup, the league said on Thursday.
The season will start on Aug. 6, with Matchday 16 being the last week of games ahead of the call-up period for the World Cup. The final round of league games will be played on May 28, 2023, with all matches kicking off simultaneously as usual.
Next season's dates have been confirmed ✅
Nine days after splitting ways with Ronald Koeman, Barcelona has found its dream replacement manager. Former Barcelona player Xavi Hernández will look to steer the Catalan cruiser in the right direction after being announced as the new manager. When will Xavi manage his first game?
Xavi will make his Barcelona managerial debut following the international break. His first game in charge will be on Nov. 20 against Espanyol at Camp Nou.
The first James Rodriguez Qatar goal was scored on Tuesday as the 30-year-old Colombian helped Al-Rayyan to a 4-2 victory in the Qatar Stars League. I still hear Peter Drury’s commentary of “my word this boy’s a star” from when James scored an absolute screamer against Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup echoing in my ear.
In 2014 it felt like James could conquer the Earth. In 2021 he’s scoring his first goal for Al-Rayyan.