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☆ Seven World Cup stadiums to be used for Asian Cup in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Hassan Rabea Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the Local Organising Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, and Abdulaziz Al-Mawlawi, Qatar Tourism Chief Marketing Officer, sit alongside the moderator at a press conference organised by the Local Organising... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreOct 9 (Reuters) - The upcoming Asian Cup in Qatar will be held across nine stadiums, including seven venues that were used for last year's World Cup, the local organising committee said on Monday. The tournament runs from Jan. 12 to Feb. 20. with the opening match and the final to be held at Lusail Stadium – the 88,966-seat venue that hosted the World Cup final. The seven World Cup venues are the Lusail, Al Bayt, Khalifa International, Al Janoub, Ahmad bin Ali, Al Thumama and Education City stadiums. Two other venues, the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium, will also be used. Hosts Qatar are the defending champions, having won the title in 2019 after an impressive unbeaten run.

Persons: Hassan Rabea Al Kuwari, Abdulaziz Al, Hassan Al Kuwari, Al Bayt, Al Janoub, Ahmad bin Ali, Al Thumama, Abdulla, Ashraf Hamed Atta, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Marketing, Communications, Local, AFC Asian, Qatar, Qatar Tourism, Khalifa International, Education City, Thomson Locations: Mawlawi, Qatar, Asia, Jan, Al, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon, Cairo

☆ Gareth Bale: Former Wales, Tottenham and Real Madrid forward retires from football aged 33
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Former Wales, Tottenham and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has retired from professional football aged 33. Bale, who spent last season at LAFC in MLS, was part of Wales' squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Bale has described the decision to quit international football as "by far the hardest of my career". Bale said: "After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football. "To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC.

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Grant Wahl, a U.S. sportswriter covering the soccer World Cup, died in Qatar on Friday, his family and U.S. Soccer said. His wife responded to the U.S. Soccer statement on Twitter, saying she was "in complete shock". Wahl, a former Sports Illustrated journalist who later moved to Substack, had been tweeting about the Netherlands-Argentina match earlier on Friday. He said last month he was briefly detained when he tried to enter a World Cup stadium in Qatar while wearing a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community in a country where same-sex relations are illegal. Wahl said in late November that World Cup security denied him entry to the United States' opener against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan and asked him to take his shirt off.

☆ 'Miraculous' Croatia ready for similar-styled Japan
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The population of Croatia is 4 million and the results we have achieved on the world stage are miraculous," said Dalic, whose nation were runners-up at the last World Cup and are unbeaten in three games in Qatar. We have become a world football force." The 12th-ranked Croatians are favourites to beat 24th-ranked Japan, but the Samurai Blue astounded expectations to defeat two powerhouses and former World Cup winners, Spain and Germany, at the group stage in comebacks. We have a similar mentality, Japan and Croatia. AGAINST THE ODDSThe coach said Croatia would fight to match or even better their performance in Russia.

☆ Messi scores in milestone match as Argentina reach World Cup quarters
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored his first goal in a World Cup knockout round on his 1,000th career appearance to beat Diego Maradona's tournament tally for Argentina as they beat off a late Australia fightback to win 2-1 on Saturday and reach the quarter-finals. Messi put Argentina ahead after 35 minutes with a coolly taken strike low into the corner for his 94th international goal to pass the great Maradona's eight World Cup goals, in a match where he was instrumental in almost every Argentine attack. Lifted throughout by rapturous, overwhelmingly Argentine support that sang and bounced in unison on all sides of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Argentina pressed and finally made the breakthrough. After Goodwin's deflected shot found the net, there was a real prospect of extra time in a stadium where the Socceroos had booked their World Cup place via a penalty shootout in an intercontinental playoff earlier this year. Argentina looked dangerous late on as they battled for a third goal, with Lautaro Martinez firing wide before substitute Garang Kuol missed with seconds left in stoppage time.

☆ Ambivalent Argentines want to be Messi but are more Maradona - author
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Lucila Sigal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Argentines aspire to be like clean-living Lionel Messi but in reality are more like flawed rebel Diego Maradona, an author says, as comparisons between the two great No. 10s become a dominant talking point of the Qatar World Cup. But only a World Cup would give him Maradona's stature. "People demand more from Messi because he's come on the scene to compete with and rival Maradona. "But unfortunately he needs to win here because in Argentina winning is what counts.

☆ Lionel Messi scores in 1000th career game as Argentina reaches World Cup quarterfinals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Lionel Messi scored in what was the 1,000th game of his storied career as Argentina beat Australia 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals. In the second half, Julián Álvarez capitalized on some slack goalkeeping by Australia stopper Mat Ryan to score his second goal of the tournament and extend Argentina’s lead. Those fans were soon crooning even more loudly when Messi curled a beautiful, left-footed effort past Australian keeper Ryan following a slick Argentina moved. After the break, Argentina began to turn on the style, though La Albiceleste’s second goal stemmed from hard work and pressing. With Australia pushing for a second goal, Argentina had an opportunities to catch the Socceroos on the break, with Lautaro Martínez missing numerous opportunities to seal the game.

☆ World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: who could win Golden Boot?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its knockout phase. England's captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the semi-finals. MARCUS RASHFORDSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Hannah MckayThe England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup campaign in Qatar. BRUNO FERNANDESSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPortugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS** Stats as of Nov. 30Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Belgium goalless with Croatia at halftime
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group F - Croatia v Belgium - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - December 1, 2022 General view as the Group F statistics are displayed during half time REUTERS/Albert GeaAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Belgium went into the break locked at 0-0 with Croatia in their decisive Group F clash at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Thursday. Morocco lead Canada 2-1 at halftime in the other match in the pool and as it stands the African side and Croatia are heading into the last 16. Belgium made four changes to their side, dropping skipper Eden Hazard and playing with Dries Mertens as a ‘false nine’, a change in tactics from manager Roberto Martinez. Mertens had a good opportunity when he was set up by Kevin De Bruyne, but shot well over the crossbar. Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Belgium’s golden era ends in a World Cup whimper
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was a meek end for a group of players who had taken the country to the top of the world rankings, but have no silverware to show for it. With 11 of their players in the squad over the age of 30, and a new World Cup cycle on the horizon, change is inevitable. Coach Roberto Martinez has also yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring soon. Too many players fell short of their usual standards, not least De Bruyne, whose poor form in the first two games robbed them of their usual cutting edge. Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Argentina must avoid Australia upset to keep Messi's dream alive
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Argentina are hot favourites to beat Australia on Saturday in pursuit of Lionel Messi's dream of winning a first World Cup, but they more than anyone have learned not to underestimate an underdog, especially the hard-battling Socceroos. "We've almost got no time to let it all sink in, enjoy it ... it's recovery, recovery, recovery," concurred Australia's assistant coach Rene Meulensteen. Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong," Argentina's Scaloni said. Reaching the quarter-finals would be dreamland for Australia, but for Argentina it is a bare minimum national expectation as they seek a third World Cup trophy. Messi, on his fifth and final quest to win the World Cup and match his great predecessor Diego Maradona in the No.

☆ Analysis: Streetwise Croatia ride their luck into last 16
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 37-year-old Modric pulled the strings early on as Croatia went for the goal that would have spared their nerves later in a subdued Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. GOOD FORTUNEGoing deep in a World Cup requires good fortune, but Croatia used up a large dollop of it against a misfiring Belgium side. Had Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Kovacic taken chances to kill off Belgium in the second half, Croatia would have won Group F rather than finish second behind Morocco. And then there is the fact that when Croatia do make it out of the group stage at a World Cup they tend to go far. This is their sixth World Cup and on the two other occasions they avoided a group exit they finished third in 1998 and second in 2018.

☆ Belgium knocked out of World Cup after goalless draw with Croatia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Belgium was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday after a goalless draw with Croatia left it third in Group F.In what was a frustrating evening for the Red Devils, both Romelu Lukaku and Yannick Carrasco spurned good opportunities to score the goal which would have sent Belgium through. For Belgium, it is another disappointing end to an international tournament, but manager Roberto Martínez said afterward that Belgium can go home with its “heads held high.”“It’s not easy to win games in the World Cup. We’re out, but we can leave with our heads held high.”Belgium's Timothy Castagne looks dejected after being eliminated from the World Cup. After the break and following the introduction of Inter Milan striker Lukaku, Belgium increased the tempo as it pressed for a vital goal – Lukaku heading straight into the arms of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. In the previous World Cup, we won three games in the group stage, we wanted to go all the way.”

☆ England roar into last 16 as Rashford scores twice in 3-0 Wales rout
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 29 (Reuters) - England marched into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group B winners after Marcus Rashford's double and a Phil Foden strike justified their first starts of the tournament in a 3-0 hammering of an outclassed Wales on Tuesday. Wales could have reached the last 16 with a victory if the match between Iran and the United States ended level but any hope of that scenario unfolding evaporated rapidly once Rashford smashed home a free kick five minutes after the break. Wales, whose talisman Gareth Bale was substituted at halftime having made no impact, looked crestfallen as their first World Cup for 64 years fizzled out. England continued to dish out the punishment though and Rashford made it 3-0 with a surging run in from the right before shooting through a crowd and past Ward's legs in the 68th. "We were a little bit disappointed after the USA result and it was important to have a good performance the next game.

☆ Walker back for England v Wales as Southgate rings changes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Jordan Pickford and Kyle Walker on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Hannah MckayAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 29 (Reuters) - England manager Gareth Southgate rung the changes for his side's final Group B clash against Wales with defender Kyle Walker getting his first taste of action at the tournament. With England all but assured of reaching the last 16 barring a four-goal defeat, Southgate made four changes in all with Walker coming in at right back for Kieran Trippier. The experienced Jordan Henderson replaces Mason Mount in midfield while Marcus Rashford, who came off the bench to score against Iran, will complement Harry Kane up front with Phil Foden also getting his first start in Qatar. Wales, who need to win and hope Iran and the United States draw or beat England by four goals, made two changes with Dan James and Joe Allen coming into the starting lineup in place of Harry Wilson and Connor Roberts. TeamsWales: Danny Ward, Neco Williams, Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale, Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, Kieffer MooreEngland: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Phil FodenReporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Pro-Palestinian sympathies among fans have also spilt into stadiums as four Arab teams compete. Qatari players have worn pro-Palestinian arm-bands, even as Qatar has allowed Israeli fans to fly in directly for the first time. The first Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup, Qatar has often seemed a regional maverick: it hosts the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas but has also previously had some trade relations with Israel. Arab fans have shunned Israeli journalists reporting from Qatar. Omar Barakat, a soccer coach for the Palestinian national team who was in Doha for the World Cup, said he had carried his flag into matches without being stopped.

☆ Doan to start for Japan, Costa Rica make two changes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group E - Japan v Costa Rica - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 27, 2022 Japan's Ritsu Doan and Takumi Minamino walk on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Issei KatoDOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Coach Hajime Moriyasu has rewarded Ritsu Doan with a start in Japan's second Group E game against Costa Rica on Sunday after he scored as a substitute in Wednesday's stunning World Cup upset of Germany. Doan's promotion was one of five changes to the starting line-up from the Germany match, with Miki Yamane coming into the defence in place of Hiroki Sakai. Hidemasa Morita, Yuki Soma and Doan come into midfield with Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo and Junya Ito dropping out, while Ayase Ueda will start up front in place of Daizen Maeda. Costa Rica coach Luis Suarez largely kept faith with the team that suffered a humiliating 7-0 loss at the hands of Spain in their group opener. Gerson Torres comes in for Jewisson Bennette in midfield, while Kendall Waston will line-up in a five-man defence in place of Carlos Martinez.

☆ Diplomatic foes Iran and U.S. clash in winner-takes-all contest
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Ties have been strained in recent years when then-President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of an Iran nuclear deal. The United States killed a top Iranian general in 2020 and Tehran responded with missile strikes at U.S. forces based in Iraq. The eagerly awaited meeting is a rematch of the 1998 World Cup group stage contest, dubbed the "mother of all games", which Iran won 2-1. Overshadowing Iran's World Cup build-up this year has been civil unrest at home over the September death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, arrested for flouting the country's strict Islamic dress code. They sang quietly on Friday at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, where boos and jeers were heard from Iran supporters.

☆ Costa Rica stun Japan with late Fuller winner
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's historic victory over Germany in their opener coupled with Costa Rica's 7-0 drubbing by Spain cleared the way for Japan to reach the last 16 with a game to spare. Costa Rica, written off before kickoff, are now level on three points with Japan and have a chance to reach the last 16. For Costa Rica the lack of goalmouth action was probably most welcome seeing as they conceded three times in the opening half an hour against Spain. Immediately after the break Japan looked more threatening with Hidemasa Morita finally testing Keylor Navas with a stinging drive the Costa Rica keeper turned away. Kicking towards their fans, Japan began to seize control and Moriyasu made another attacking change with midfielder Kaoru Mitoma coming on for right back Miki Yamane.

☆ Wales and Iran goalless at break after Gholizadeh strike disallowed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

AL RAYYAN, QATAR, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Wales and Iran were goalless at the end of the first half of their World Cup Group B match at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday, after Iran forward Ali Gholizadeh's strike was ruled out for offside. Gholizadeh thought he had given Iran an early lead after linking up brilliantly with Sardar Azmoun, but VAR ruled it out. Earlier, Wales striker Kieffer Moore had a shot from close range saved by Iran keeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini. Reporting by Manasi Pathak; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

CNN —Ahead of England’s World Cup clash with the United States on Friday, world soccer’s governing body FIFA said that Crusader costumes worn by England fans are “offensive.”Some England fans attend sports events dressed as the English patron Saint George, equipped with helmets, crosses and plastic swords. FIFA told CNN: “Crusader costumes in the Arab or Middle East context can be offensive to Muslims. Video Ad Feedback Hear from US journalist who was detained for wearing a rainbow shirt in Qatar 03:36 - Source: CNNThe rainbow flag is a symbol for LGBTQ rights, and in Qatar homosexuality is illegal. It’s not allowed.”“One security guard told me that my shirt was ‘political’ and not allowed,” Wahl wrote on Substack. The Welsh Football Association (FAW) said FIFA told the federation on Thursday that rainbow-colored flags and hats would be permitted at World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

☆ Bale to break Wales caps record against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Wales captain Gareth Bale will become their most capped player of all time when he makes his 110th appearance in their second Group B game against Iran on Friday. Bale overtakes team mate Chris Gunter, who is on the bench for the game at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand misses the game after getting concussed and breaking his nose in their first game against England and is replaced by Seyed Hossein Hosseini. Iran striker Sardar Azmoun returns to the lineup after starting on the bench against England. Reporting by Toby Davis; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Security escort man wearing pro-Iran protest shirt ahead of match
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v Iran - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 25, 2022. Reuters could not immediately confirm why the man, wearing a shirt declaring "Women, Life, Freedom", was being accompanied by three security officers in blue. A man standing next to her held a shirt printed with the words "WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM", one of the main chants of the protests. Another supporter held an Iranian flag with the words "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest), scored through with black lines as a security man stood nearby apparently pointing at him. Iran's World Cup team refrained from singing the national anthem ahead of their opening match with England on Monday, a sign of support for the demonstrations.

☆ Iran deliver sucker punch to Wales with stoppage-time winners
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

After Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the 87th minute, Iran produced a remarkable finale, with Roozbeh Cheshmi driving home to give them the lead before Ramin Rezaeian added another in the 11th minute of stoppage time. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Wales would have been forgiven for thinking they had survived, but Cheshmi had other ideas. That strike rocked Wales to the core and left them open for the coup de grace elegantly delivered by Rezaeian. Taremi cut in from the left and played the ball to Rezaeian in acres of space on the right. He bore down on Wales' substitute keeper Danny Ward before lifting the ball nonchalantly over him into the back of the net.

☆ Analysis: Relentless Iran do their talking on the pitch in defeat of Wales
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We played today with amazing character, which is the profile of our team. We played with a sense of unity, cohesion," said Queiroz, who was thrown into the air by his players after the full-time whistle. "Sometimes you lose your dignity, your honour, but of course in our first game we were bleeding in our pride. "The sending off didn't help, of course, but at that point we had five forwards on the pitch, so couldn't get a defensive shape." Reporting by Rohith Nair in Al Rayyan, Qatar; Additional reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Ken Ferris and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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