Nov 20 European World Cup teams plan to defy FIFA in ‘One Love’ armband standoff By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press FIFA wanted seven European soccer federations to back down from allowing their captains to wear “One Love” armbands — a heart-shaped multi-colored logo aimed at exposing the host country Qatar’s record on human rights. Continue reading
Nov 20 What to know as the World Cup kicks off in Qatar By Jenna Fryer, Associated Press The first World Cup in the Middle East began Sunday night with a flashy opening ceremony and a match between Qatar and Ecuador, kicking off a global event under scrutiny for its host country's human rights record. Continue reading
Nov 19 Watch 4:41 News Wrap: COP27 nations near deal for climate disaster fund In our news wrap Saturday, COP27 climate talks inched closer to a deal to create a disaster fund for vulnerable nations, FIFA's head scolded critics of World Cup host Qatar, APEC wrapped up meetings in Bangkok, heavy snow fell in… Continue watching
Nov 19 FIFA president scolds critics of World Cup, Qatar in hour-long diatribe By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press FIFA president Gianni Infantino lectured Europeans for criticizing Qatar’s human rights record and defended the host country’s last-minute decision to ban beer from World Cup stadiums. Continue reading
Nov 18 Qatar bans beer sales at World Cup stadiums two days before opening game By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press Qatar banned the sale of beer at World Cup stadiums on Friday, a sudden U-turn on the deal it made to secure the soccer tournament — only two days before the opening game. Continue reading
Nov 07 Qatar’s ‘carbon-neutral’ World Cup raises doubts from climate experts By Suman Naishadham, Associated Press For years, Qatar promised something else to distinguish this World Cup from the rest: It would be ‘carbon-neutral,' or have a negligible overall impact on the climate. Continue reading
Oct 08 Watch 4:18 News Wrap: Crimea bridge explosion deals blow to Russian military operations In our news wrap Saturday, an explosion destroyed parts of the only bridge linking Crimea to Russia, funerals are underway for the 36 victims of a mass shooting in Thailand, Indonesia's president said FIFA will not sanction his country for… Continue watching
Jul 08 Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA By Daniella Matar, Associated Press Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been acquitted on charges of defrauding FIFA by a Swiss criminal court. The pair were among soccer's most powerful figures before being embroiled in corruption investigations. Continue reading
Feb 28 Russian soccer suspended from international competition over Ukraine war ‘until further notice’ By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press Russian teams have been suspended from all international soccer, including qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, as Moscow was pushed toward pariah status in sports after its invasion of Ukraine… Continue reading
Feb 27 FIFA allows Russia to compete in World Cup qualifiers By Rob Harris, Associated Press Protesting against FIFA's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Poland said it would still refuse to play the country in a World Cup playoff semifinal, which is scheduled for March 24. Continue reading