FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Archives

South Korea thwart Uruguay to goalless draw in Group H encounter

DOHA: South Korea and Uruguay shared points in Group H after they ended on a goalless draw – fourth so far in this FIFA World Cup – in an evenly contested game, here at Education City Stadium on Thursday.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde came closest to scoring a breakthrough in each half but found themselves unlucky as both efforts ended up hitting the woodwork.

Hwang Ui-jo, however, missed Korea’s best chance to take lead in the 34th minute when he fired over the bar from only 10 yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat.

South Korea, who defeated Germany 2-0 in their previous World Cup match in 2018, have now kept consecutive clean sheets at the tournament for the first time.

The match witnessed an equally poised defensive strategy as neither Son Heung-min on one side nor Uruguay’s veteran strikers Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez and Edinson Cavani could find a clear opening.

With one point each, group favourites Portugal now have a clear chance to go ahead of the two teams as they face Ghana later today.

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Senegal’s Sadio Mane ruled out of Qatar World Cup with leg injury

DOHA: Senegal star Sadio Mane has been ruled out of FIFA World Cup 2022 after a knee injury he sustained in a Bayern Munich match last week.

The Bayern forward was diagnosed with an injury to his right fibula after he limped off during a Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen, 13 days before his national team’s Qatar campaign.

Mane will miss out on the World Cup since he has not recovered in time before the megaevent, confirmed Senegal’s team doctor on Thursday

“Unfortunately, today’s [Thursday] MRI shows us that the improvement is not as favourable as we imagined and unfortunately, we have to withdraw Sadio from the World Cup,” said Manuel Afonso in a video posted on the official Senegal Twitter account. He added that surgical intervention was needed.

The former Liverpool forward’s phenomenal run this year earned him the runners-up spot in the 2022 Ballon d’Or – bagged by Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

Mane, 30, was named African Player of the Year as he was voted ahead of ex-teammate Mohamed Salah and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal will face host Qatar four days after its opening game against the Netherlands. Its final game in Group A is against Ecuador on November 29.

The absence of its talisman will be a fatal blow for Senegal, as Mane inspired his national side to the African Cup of Nations title at the start of 2022, scoring the winning penalty in a shoot-out with Egypt.

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Messi, Argentina land in Qatar after 5-0 World Cup warm-up win

DOHA: Argentina and superstar Lionel Messi arrived in Qatar for the World Cup early on Thursday, just hours after a 5-0 warm-up victory, while defending champions France have also touched down in Doha.

Messi, 35, has a sackful of trophies but the tournament in Qatar is likely to be his final chance to equal the achievement of fellow Argentine great Diego Maradona in leading his country to World Cup glory.

He landed with the Argentina squad in the Qatari capital Doha at 2:30am (2330 GMT, Wednesday) from Abu Dhabi where they had beaten the United Arab Emirates 5-0 Wednesday in a friendly in which Messi scored.

One of the favourites going into this year’s World Cup, the South Americans will begin their campaign on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia in Group C, which also includes Mexico and Poland.

The 1978 and 1986 World Cup winners extended their unbeaten run to 36 matches as Messi scored his 91st international goal.

Messi was cautious about the team’s chances in Qatar, even though they are among the favourites.

“We have a very nice group that is very eager, but we think about going little by little. We know that World Cup groups are not easy,” the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said in an interview with CONMEBOL, the South American football federation.

France arrived in Doha on Wednesday, seeking to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

Ten members of the 2018 title-winning squad are in the squad, including captain Hugo Lloris, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

But the defending champions, grouped with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia, are without first-choice midfield pair Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who has missed a series of games for Real Madrid this season because of injury, is set for his first World Cup appearance since 2014.

The United States return to football’s top table after an eight-year absence and Christian Pulisic says this World Cup is an opportunity to change global perceptions of American soccer.

“That’s what we’re here to do,” Pulisic told AFP. “Maybe it hasn’t been the top sport or whatever back in the States.

“But we want to change the way that the world sees American soccer. That’s one of our goals.”

The build-up to the tournament in Qatar has been dominated by concerns over Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community.

Pleas from football’s world governing body FIFA for a switch of focus to football have gone unheeded by some countries.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said on Wednesday supporters boycotting the tournament were “right to do that” but hoped his team would do enough to persuade fans at home to follow them from afar.

“I hope that we play so fantastic that at the end of the tournament when we play the final they shall look on television and see how good we are.”

The veteran coach hit out at FIFA earlier this year, calling its decision to award Qatar the World Cup “ridiculous”.

“I think you have to play in football countries. (They have) more experience with everything,” he said on Wednesday.

England supporters from India outnumbered fans from England nearly 10 to one as Gareth Southgate’s team rolled into their World Cup base on Tuesday.

The supporters said they were angered by reports in the British and French media that they were “fake fans”.

Sajidh, 29, said Indian football fans in Qatar had been “outraged” by reports suggesting they had been paid to wear the shirts of World Cup nations.

“It is purely fake news and I would like to say loud and clear that none of us have been paid in any way,” added Sajidh, who gave only one name.

“We are diehard England fans.”

World Cup organisers weighed in on the issue on Wednesday, saying supporters from across the world had contributed to the local atmosphere.

“Numerous journalists and commentators on social media have questioned whether these are ‘real’ fans,” they said in a statement.

“We thoroughly reject these assertions, which are both disappointing and unsurprising.”

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Shakira backs out of FIFA WC opening ceremony due to personal reasons

KARACHI: Shakira has stepped back from performing at the glittering opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar due to personal reasons.

With the biggest football event of the year just around the corner, the famous ‘Waka Waka’ singer has changed her mind and decided to withdraw her name from the list of performers at Sunday’s opening ceremony, reported Spain’s Marca Magazine.

According to Marca, the claim about the Columbian singer’s purported withdrawal from the opening ceremony was made on the show El programa de Ana Rosa.

“It’s been confirmed to me that Shakira will not perform at the opening ceremony, but they won’t say if she will have another role throughout the World Cup,” said Adriana Dorronsoro quoted Spanish news outlet.

The report further added that Sandra Aladro, another contributor to the Telecinco program, also confirmed the development after speaking to Shakira’s entourage.

“They have confirmed that she won’t be performing,” Aladro said. “She was going to be a guest performer, now she will have to send a statement to explain everything.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the colourful opening ceremony of the magaevent will take place on November 20, ahead of the opening Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

Shakira set the stage alight with her mythical ‘Waka Waka’ song in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and ever since she has been ruling football fans’ hearts all around the globe.

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Southgate names 26-man England squad for Qatar World Cup

LONDON: Leicester midfielder James Maddison has been rewarded with a call-up to England team as manager Gareth Southgate on Thursday named a 26-member squad for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

England’s manager has picked a blend of youth and experience into the squad with 13 players set for their first FIFA World Cup while another three heading to their first major senior tournament.

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling will be joining the illustrious list of England players to have featured in three World Cups.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United, Callum Wilson of Newcastle, Kyle Walker of Manchester City, and Ben White of Arsenal have also been selected by Southgate.

Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips has been included despite injury concerns while Harry Maguire, who was dropped by Manchester United this season, also managed to receive the national call.

England will face Iran in their opening game at Qatar on November 21 before facing the USA and Wales in Group B.

Complete Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton, loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ben White (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United),

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), James Maddison (Leicester City), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United)

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Messi says 2022 World Cup will ‘surely’ be his last

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina captain Lionel Messi on Thursday said that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will “surely” be the last of his career.

“It’s my last World Cup, surely. I feel good physically, I was able to do a very good pre-season this year, which I couldn’t do last year. It was essential to get to where I am, with a good state of mind and a lot of hope,” the 35-year-old told ESPN Argentina.

Messi, who is due to appear in his fifth World Cup, made his international debut in 2005 and has since won 164 caps for Argentina and is the country’s all-time record scorer with 90 goals.

In the interview, which took place in Paris where Messi plays for Paris Saint-Germain, he admitted he was nervous about the impending tournament.

“There is anxiety, nerves about the World Cup,” he said. “We can’t wait for it to start.”

Messi’s international debut as a substitute against Hungary in 2005 lasted just two minutes before he was sent off but he quicky established himself in the national team set-up and travelled to Germany for his first World Cup in 2006.

He went on to play in the 2010 edition in South Africa, 2014 in Brazil, where Argentina reached the final, and 2018 in Russia.

The current side, under the management of Lionel Scaloni, have now gone 35 games without defeat and are likely to figure among the pre-tournament favourites for the tournament.

“We have reached a good moment, with a very well-equipped and very strong group, but anything can happen,” said Messi.

“All the games are very difficult. The favourites are not always the ones who end up winning or taking the path that one expected.

“Argentina is always a candidate because of its history and what it means. But we are not the only favourites, there are other teams that are above us.”

Argentina get their bid for a third World Cup title, and first since 1986, underway on November 22 against Saudi Arabia in Lusail, before further Group C matches against Mexico and Poland.

Messi has often struggled to emulate Argentine icon Diego Maradona on the biggest international stage, although was surprisingly named player of the tournament after his team lost the 2014 final to Germany.

He only scored once four years ago in Russia as Argentina bowed out with a 4-3 defeat by eventual champions France in the last 16, following a humiliating 3-0 thumping by Croatia in the group stage.

But hopes are high that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner could bow out from World Cups with glory in the Middle East.

Messi won the best player award as he led Argentina to last year’s Copa America crown — beating arch rivals Brazil in the final — to win their first major tournament title in 28 years.

Qatar will likely provide the last chance for Messi and his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, to finally lift the World Cup.

“I am going to have to reassess a lot of things after the World Cup, whether it goes well for us or not,” Messi admitted in March.

“I hope it goes well, but a lot of things are definitely going to change.”

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FIFA World Cup 2022 final venue to host Lusail Super Cup next month

DOHA: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final venue Lusail Stadium will host the special match named Lusail Super Cup between the Saudi Pro League champions and Egyptian Premier League winners on September 9 in a showpiece event.

“Showcasing Lusail Stadium is the final milestone in our journey ahead of the big kick-off on 21 November,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) as reported by Qatar’s newspaper The Penninsula.

“This incredible venue forms the centrepiece of our tournament and will be the focus of the world’s attention when it hosts the FIFA World Cup final on 18 December, which is also Qatar National Day,” he added.

According to the newspaper, the country’s biggest football stadium will host the special match followed by a concert.

The stunning venue is also the stage for this year’s FIFA World final scheduled on December 18, whereas it will host nine other matches during the megaevent.

The 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium is one of eight stadiums designated by Qatar for the World Cup, which will be the first ever in the Middle East.

It is worth mentioning here that FIFA World Cup 2022 will kick off on November 21 featuring 32 international teams split into eight groups.

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Semi-automated offside in place for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

LAUSANNE: FIFA confirmed on Friday that a semi-automated offside system will be used at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The optical tracking system was trialed at the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi earlier this year and had also been tested at the Arab Cup in Qatar last December.

“Semi-automated offside technology is an evolution of the VAR systems that have been implemented across the world,” the global body’s president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“This technology is the culmination of three years of dedicated research and testing to provide the very best for the teams, players, and fans who will be heading to Qatar later this year, and FIFA is proud of this work, as we look forward to the world seeing the benefits of semi-automated offside technology at the World Cup 2022,” he added.

The data-driven, limb-tracking technology uses both dedicated and broadcast cameras around the stadium to give the exact position of players on the pitch, offering referees precise information within seconds.

The term “semi-automated” is used because FIFA insists match officials will still make the final call, with a dedicated VAR assistant in place to monitor offsides.

“The new technology uses 12 dedicated tracking cameras mounted underneath the roof of the stadium to track the ball and up to 29 data points of each individual player, 50 times per second, calculating their exact position on the pitch,” FIFA said.

“The 29 collected data points include all limbs and extremities that are relevant for making offside calls,” it added.

The competition begins on November 21 when Senegal plays the Netherlands in Doha with the final on December 18 in Lusail.

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FIFA World Cup Trophy unveiled in a ceremony at Lahore

LAHORE: The glittering trophy of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been unveiled by the former french footballer Christian Karembeu in a ceremony, held here at a local hotel today.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by the Pakistan football stars Kaleemullah, Hajra Khan, and Saddam Hussain along with other footballers.

The officials of the Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Sports Board were also present on the occasion.

Ahmed Orakzai, secretary of Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), received a souvenir from the French footballer, who expressed his delight over the occasion. He also presented souvenirs to Kaleemullah and Saddam Hussain.

Young football talents hailing from Gilgit, Malir, and Lyari were also invited to the ceremony.

The mega event of FIFA Men’s Football World Cup will be held in Qatar this year from November 22 to December 18 between 32 teams.

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FIFA World Cup trophy reaches Pakistan

LAHORE: The FIFA Trophy of the Football World Cup 2022 in Qatar, has reached here for its tour to Pakistan.

Former French player and 1998 World Cup winner Christian Karembeu brought the glittering trophy to Pakistan.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy was taken to Pakistan via a chartered flight following the conclusion of its tour to Azerbaijan.

Karembeu, on this occasion, talked to the media and expressed his excitement about touring the country for the second time. He also commented on the future of football in Pakistan and claimed that playing more often will help in the promotion of the sport.

“I feel immensely pleased to be touring Pakistan for the second time. I had a desire to tour the country again which has now been fulfilled,” Karembeu stated.

“If more and more football is played in Pakistan then it will help in the promotion of football in the country,” he concluded.

The captain of the Pakistan women’s national football team Hajra Khan also received the trophy at the airport and termed its tour to the country honour.

“FIFA World Cup Trophy’s tour to Pakistan is an honour for us. People here love and play football and are passionate about it,” Hajra stated.

“The situation of Pakistan football is not good but still the tour of FIFA trophy is a big thing,” she concluded.

According to the details, the official ceremony of the FIFA World Cup trophy will take place at a local hotel this afternoon. Whereas, will leave for Saudi Arabia tonight.

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