Nov 24 Qatar allows Israelis to fly directly to Doha for World Cup, but conflict with Palestinians catches up By Isabel Debre, Associated Press The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become the latest political flash point at the first World Cup in the Arab world — never mind that neither Israeli or Palestinian national teams are competing in the tournament. Continue reading
Nov 22 Secretary of State Blinken criticizes FIFA armband threat at World Cup By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press America's top diplomat on Tuesday criticized a decision by FIFA to threaten players at the World Cup with yellow cards if they wear armbands supporting inclusion and diversity. Continue reading
Nov 21 The World Cup is officially underway in Qatar. Here’s why it’s so controversial. By Tim McPhillips The 2022 World Cup officially kicked off in Qatar on Sunday, beginning weeks of competition in the world’s most popular sport. But even as soccer’s stars take the world stage, the first World Cup to take place in a Middle… Continue reading
Nov 21 World Cup teams end human rights armband protest after threats by FIFA By Graham Dunbar, Associated Press FIFA's threat of on-field punishment for players has forced World Cup teams to back down. Continue reading
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 Watch 8:38 Migrant workers recount abuse while building stadiums for World Cup in Qatar The World Cup starts Sunday in Qatar, but controversies have shadowed the event. To host, the nation went on a stadium-building spree, bringing in thousands upon thousands of migrant laborers. There are numerous stories about the workforce being mistreated and… Continue watching
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