Toure puts Russia 2018 on frontline of war on racism
October 16 – Former Ivory Coast star Yaya Toure says next year’s World Cup in Russia could be a watershed in FIFA’s efforts to stamp out racism.
World Cup
World Cup 2018 ticket boost: FIFA says 3.4m requests in first sales window
October 13 – Having initially announced that 2 million tickets had been requested with two days to go before the close of the first 2018 World Cup ticket sales window, FIFA has now confirmed more than 3.4 million requests.
Messi saves Argentina; Chile miss the cut; Portugal in but Dutch ditched
By Andrew Warshaw
October 11 – Cometh the hour, cometh Lionel Messi. Just when the odds were stacked in favour of Argentina failing to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1970, the mercurial maestro struck a superb hat-trick away to Ecuador to haul his country back from the brink of elimination.
The 2014 runners up began the day sixth in their group and needing a top-four place to qualify automatically.
Freak results usher new storm into US as Russia 2018 dreams are shattered
October 11 – The post mortem has just begun and will last all the way to Russia next year. Unthinkably given the weakness of their continental rivals, the United States have failed qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 after losing to tiny Trinidad & Tobago, a hugely embarrassing setback that could have ramifications on and off the pitch.
Iceland warm to Russia 2018 as smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup finals
By Andrew Warshaw
October 10 – They’ve done it again. All predictions that Iceland would be one-hit wonders after their sensational appearance at Euro 2016 have been well and truly crushed after they became the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup finals.
World Cup heartache: Irish slay Welsh dragon, Croatia gamble pays off against Ukraine
October 10 – How quickly emotions change in football. Having reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 against all odds, Wales’ 60-year wait for a place at the World Cup continues as they were beaten 1-0 by the Republic of Ireland in a winner-takes-all showdown for a playoff place for Russia.
Qataris dismiss report on 2022 construction crisis as geo-political skulduggery
By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers have angrily dismissed claims that the Saudi-led political and trade blockade of the Gulf state could see it stripped of hosting rights because of inability to complete essential infrastructure projects in time.
Egyptian joy as Salah winner books the Pharaohs a trip to Russia
October 9 – Mohamed Salah’s dramatic injury-time winner against Congo ended Egypt’s 28-year exile from the World Cup, sending the football-mad country into a massive celebration.
Russia 2018 pushing the deadlines but FIFA confident build is on track
By Andrew Warshaw
October 6 – A FIFA technical team led by director of competitions Colin Smith has completed the latest inspection to Russia’s World Cup sites and reports that although preparations are on course a “significant” amount of work is still to be done over the next few months.
Putin says 2018 stadium builds are not a problem, but no room for complacency
October 4 – In a significant intervention over organisation of the World Cup, Russian president Vladimir Putin has expressed concern over delays to preparations but says they are not yet “critical”.
Heat-stress: HRW get hot under the collar as Qataris insist 2022 workers are protected
September 28 – Organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are under fresh scrutiny over their treatment of migrant workers despite insisting for months that much work is being done to improve standards.
France 2019 targets a billion viewers as UEFA qualifying begins
By Samindra Kunti
September 21 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France to attract a billion viewers as local organisers unveiled the logo, slogan (‘Dare to Shine’) and additional scheduling details. Across Europe, qualifying got underway for the tournament with England trouncing Russia 6-0.
Samara World Cup stadium behind schedule, but builder says it will meet year-end deadline
August 25 – Samara’s World Cup stadium has fallen 30 days behind its construction schedule, the contractor of the venue has announced. The venue is set to host six matches, including a quarter-final, during the 2018 World Cup.
Head start for Qatar’s Al Thumama Stadium as design unveiled
August 21 – Qatar has unveiled the design for the sixth of the eight stadia it is building for the 2022 World Cup, the Al Thumama Stadium which is located six kilometres south of central Doha.
Qatar says Al Wakrah stadium is on schedule for 2018 delivery
July 18 – A second stadium being built for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be ready on time by the end of next year, despite the blockade imposed by Gulf neighbours.