Blatter in U-turn over dates for Qatar 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
February 7 – Sepp Blatter appears to have performed a major U-turn over the 2022 Qatar World Cup, now declaring the tournament will be held in summer after all.
World Cup
Sir Bobby Charlton upset over Qatar 2022 decision
By Mike Rowbottom in Abu Dhabi
February 6 – Sir Bobby Charlton, part of England’s delegation which supported the failed bid for the 2018 World Cup finals in December, has spoken out here against the decision to award the 2022 tournament to Qatar.
Qatar won the World Cup and Qatar will stage World Cup vows angry bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
January 29 – The row over the Qatar 2022 World Cup looks set to escalate after Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed bin Hammam (pictured) rejected UEFA President Michel Platini’s suggestion that the tournament should be spread across the entire region.
We can’t air condition the beaches and the streets in Qatar, warns Platini
By Andrew Warshaw
January 26 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has re-iterated his idea of playing the Qatar 2022 World Cup in several Gulf countries for the good of the entire area.
Qatar’s Al Jazeera Sport first broadcaster to sign 2018 and 2022 World Cup deals
January 26 – FIFA has signed its first broadcasting contract for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups with Qatar-based Al Jazeera Sport, football’s world governing body announced today.
England 2018 lost because it did not have a compelling story admits marketing director
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
January 24 – England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup failed so spectacularly because its bid team had such poor relations with senior members at FIFA, a senior member of its management team admitted today.
Russia officially awarded host status for 2018 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 23 – Russia’s first milestone on the road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup was reached today in Saint-Petersburg when the country was officially given host status.
Russia to reveal make-up of organising committee
January 20 – Russia look set to unveil details of their Organising Committee for the 2018 World Cup in St Petersburg on Sunday (January 23).
Qatar World Cup construction firms can “learn valuable lessons” from London 2012 Olympics
January 20 – Companies looking to capitalise on Qatar’s infrastructure spending spree for the 2022 World Cup could learn valuable lessons from London’s preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Decision to move Qatar World Cup to winter was done deal claims FIFA Executive Committee member
By Andrew Warshaw
January 17 – The idea of staging the 2022 World Cup during the winter if Qatar became hosts was discussed weeks before last month’s vote, according to a senior member of the FIFA Executive Committee.
Southeast Asia considering joint bid for 2030 World Cup
January 17 – Foreign Ministers from Southeast Asia have discussed for the first time the possibility of a joint bid from the region to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
Putin demands Russia builds high-speed rail network for 2018 World Cup
January 16 – Russian cities hosting 2018 World Cup matches should be linked by an €4 billion (£3 billion/$5 billion) integrated high-speed rail network, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
Papers question Qatar spending spree to secure 2022 World Cup
By Andrew Warshaw
January 15 – Qatar’s landslide 2022 World Cup bid victory has burst into yet more controversy with two newspapers – one on either side of the Atlantic – questioning how they did it.
Talk of winter switch for Qatar World Cup “premature” says Bin Hammam
By Andrew Warshaw
January 14 – The head of Asian football has come out fighting by insisting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will not be switched from summer to winter or be shared with other Gulf nations.
Platini hopes Qatar World Cup will be hosted by “entire Gulf region”
From Andrew Warshaw in Nyon
January 12 – The controversial decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has taken yet another unexpected twist with UEFA President Michel Platini suggesting it could be expanded to include other Gulf nations.