Tag: Soccer

Chaos at Al Bidda Fan Fest Before World Cup Opener

DOHA—Chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha on Sunday an hour before the kick off of the opening World Cup match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador after organizers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct. The venue has a capacity of 40,000 but at least…


Chaos Disrupts FIFA Fan Festival Before World Cup Opener

DOHA, Qatar—Chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha on Nov. 20 an hour before the opening FIFA World Cup match between host Qatar and Ecuador, after organizers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct. The venue has a capacity of 40,000 people but at least…


FIFA Revenue Hits $7.5 Billion for Current World Cup Period

DOHA, Qatar—FIFA earned record revenues of $7.5 billion in the four years of commercial deals tied to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the governing body of soccer said Sunday. The last three sponsors—two American and one from the Middle East—were announced hours before the opening game: YouTube, Visit Las Vegas, and Fine Hygienic Holding,…


US Battles Injuries, Idleness Ahead of World Cup Opener

DOHA, Qatar—A World Cup jammed into the middle of the European season isn’t ideal, especially for the United States. Injuries and idleness run throughout the roster ahead of Monday’s match against Wales. Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest and Luca de la Torre missed time, and Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner are among those struggling for playing…


World Cup Viewer’s Guide: Qatar Kicks Off, US Ready to Play

DOHA, Qatar—The first World Cup in the Middle East began Sunday night with a flashy opening ceremony and a match between Qatar and Ecuador without any beer for sale in the stadium. The beer ban imposed two days before the start of the tournament was the latest controversial snag for a global event already under…


US Returns to World Cup Against Wales After 8-Year Wait

DOHA, Qatar—Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Yusuf Musah were 11 years old the last time the United States took the field in a World Cup match. On the 3,066th day after that loss in Brazil, the Americans return to soccer’s showcase with a new-look team dreaming lofty goals and hoping for actual ones. Filled with…


World Cup Kicks Off in Qatar; US Returns to World Cup Against Wales After 8-Year Wait

DOHA, Qatar—The first World Cup in the Middle East began Sunday night with a flashy opening ceremony and a match between Qatar and Ecuador. The United States returns to the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament in Russia and will open play on Monday against Gareth Bale-led Wales. Gio Reyna, Joe Scally, and Yusuf…


Messi Scores as Argentina Routs UAE 5–0 in World Cup Warmup

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates—Lionel Messi played the entire game in Argentina’s final World Cup warmup and scored in a 5–0 rout of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday as the pre-tournament favorites stretched their unbeaten run to 36 games. Messi scored his team’s fourth goal right before the break, having also set up Julián…


‘Underdog’ Tag Suits Canada Well Going Into Qatar World Cup

Canada is about to kick off its 2022 World Cup, and is ready to thrive in the underdog role, which has led it to unprecedented success in making it to Qatar. Canada is in one of the most difficult groups in the World Cup. In terms of the average  FIFA world ranking, Canada was drawn…


Ronaldo Accuses Manchester United of Betrayal

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo says that the club have betrayed him and that he is being forced out, while he has no respect for manager Erik ten Hag. Ronaldo rejoined United from Juventus for a second spell at Old Trafford in August 2021 on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won eight…