DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ FIFA investigates Ecuador fans' homophobic chants
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Nov 23 (Reuters) - FIFA said it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Ecuador over homophobic chanting by their fans in their World Cup opener. They were fined and received a points deduction for the next World Cup qualifiers but have been allowed to compete in Qatar. At Ecuador's opening game against Qatar, to kick off the World Cup on Sunday, some among their massed ranks of yellow-clad fans sang a homophobic chant against Chileans. Much to the amusement of many watching around the world, Ecuador fans also chanted "We want beer!" LGBT rights have taken prominence during this World Cup, drawing some protests, as homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.

☆ Group's E and F get underway with Belgium, Germany and Spain in action
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Germany will face a Japan team full of names familiar to fans around the world. For Costa Rica, it is a last hurrah for some of the country’s legendary players. So, with one final shot at glory, Belgium begin against a Canada side making its second appearance at a World Cup. Canada ended its 36-year drought to play in a World Cup when it qualified earlier this year. ETSpain vs. Costa Rica: 11 a.m.

☆ Gareth Bale saves Wales to frustrate USMNT
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images Walker Zimmerman fouls Wales' Gareth Bale in the box, conceding a second-half penalty that Bale would convert to tie the match at 1-1. Pedro Nunes/Reuters US fans stand for the national anthem prior to the Wales match. Stu Forster/Getty Images Wales' Neco Williams tries to fend off Weston McKennie on Monday. Francisco Seco/AP A family watches the opening match from their home in Doha. But just as all hope looked to have disappeared for Wales, Bale was clumsily brought down by Walker Zimmerman in the US box.

☆ Soccer Qatar's Bedouin roots star in World Cup opening ceremony
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"From Qatar, from the Arab world, I welcome everyone to the World Cup 2022," Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said. "How lovely it is that people can put aside what divides them to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together." Then, fireworks exploded from the roof of Al Bayt stadium, 44 km (27 miles) north of the capital, Doha. Earlier, the nearly full stadium erupted in cheers when Sheikh Tamim arrived at the stadium flanked by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The ceremony featured video footage of Sheikh Tamim as a boy playing soccer in the desert, which seemed aimed at countering the argument made by Qatar's critics that the Gulf Arab state has no soccer tradition.

☆ Qatar and Ecuador stick with trusted lineups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hosts Qatar's top scorer Almoez Ali and fellow striker Akram Afif lead the line against Ecuador in Sunday's World Cup opener as coach Felix Sanchez stuck with stalwarts from a settled squad that has had longer than most to bond and prepare. Experienced midfielder Hasan Al-Haydos, who can also play on the wing, took the captaincy for the World Cup debutants and 2019 Asian Cup winners at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium. Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro also named a predictable lineup, with Moises Caicedo anchoring the midfield and top scorer Enner Valencia leading the attack as captain. Ecuador: Hernan Galindez; Felix Torres; Piero Hincapie; Pervis Estupinan; Romario Ibarra; Michael Estrada; Enner Valencia; Angelo Preciado; Gonzalo Plata; Jhegson Mendez; Moises Caicedo. Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ecuador dampens Qatar’s party as controversial World Cup gets underway
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Al Khor, Qatar CNN —For the past year, a giant clock in Doha has been counting down to the opening match of the World Cup. Qatar and the world need wait no more, after this controversial tournament got underway Sunday with the host losing 2-0 to Ecuador. People watch as fireworks go off before the start of the World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium. The country’s last-minute ban of alcohol in World Cup stadiums also made headlines around the world. Colombian singer Maluma, who features in the official World Cup anthem, walked out of an interview on Israeli television when he was questioned about the Gulf state’s human rights record.

☆ After rocky buildup, football ready to grab World Cup spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

As host of the Middle East's first World Cup the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is expected to welcome a star-studded guest list of celebrities and political leaders including Saudi Arabia's crown prince and the presidents of Egypt and Algeria. The controversy that has long surrounded the decision to award the tiny Gulf state the World Cup has built to a crescendo ahead of the tournament, with unrelenting scrutiny of its treatment of migrant workers and the LGBT+ community. "We are ready," Hakeem Ahmad told Reuters as he entered the stadium with his wife and two children. "Whatever happens on the pitch, the world should look kindly on us today. "We hope that after today people will see Qatar in a different light, for who we really are.

☆ World Cup guide: Teams and players to watch
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Doha, Qatar CNN —In just over 24 hours, Qatar 2022 will burst into life as the host nation takes on Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup. Tournament favoritesOnly eight nations have ever won the men’s World Cup, many of which are among the favorites this time around. After being knocked out by England in the Euro 2020 semifinals, the team waltzed through World Cup qualification, winning nine of its 10 matches and conceding only three goals. In addition to making its World Cup debut, Qatar is a relatively unknown quantity with most of its players spending their careers in the nation’s top league. He will be an important player in Japan’s World Cup campaign and has already been dubbed the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’ back home.

☆ Unfancied Qatar and Ecuador eye best chance for early points
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Cawthorne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The more daunting prospects of African champions Senegal and perennial powerhouse the Netherlands await them next. Qatar had longer than most squads to bond during European camps, beat several Central American sides in recent friendlies, and draw self-belief from their 2019 Asian Cup title. "Obviously, I'm not talking about Qatar winning the World Cup, but competing at a good level against those three teams is our challenge," said coach Felix Sanchez. They boast some more recognisable names than the Qataris, including Premier League midfielder Moises Caicedo and veteran striker Enner Valencia. Ecuador, too, will be relieved just to be walking out after they faced possible expulsion over an accusation of fielding an ineligible player.

☆ World Cup 2022: when is the opening ceremony and who is performing?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the opening ceremony that will take place ahead of the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup in Qatar:WHEN WILL THE OPENING CEREMONY TAKE PLACE? * The opening ceremony of the World Cup will take place on Nov. 20, ahead of the opening Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador. WHO WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY? * FIFA are yet to announce a full list of performers for the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony. WHO PERFORMED AT THE 2018 WORLD CUP OPENING CEREMONY?

☆ World Cup 2022: start date, schedule, teams, venues and final
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Qatar:When does World Cup 2022 start? * The World Cup will start a day earlier than originally scheduled to ensure hosts Qatar play the opening match. The World Cup will feature 32 teams and will begin with a group stage, with teams divided into eight groups of four. * Games will take place at eight stadiums -- Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Stadium 974, Education City Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium. * With 80,000 seats, Lusail Iconic Stadium is the largest of Qatar's eight World Cup stadiums.

☆ Tim Sparv: Staying silent is ‘not an option’ with soccer heading in ‘dangerous’ direction after Qatar 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Former Finland captain Tim Sparv says he hopes this month’s World Cup in Qatar will be a turning point for a sport that he believes is heading in a “dangerous” direction. AFP/Getty ImagesFIFA’s changesAmid the continuing criticism of Qatar, FIFA has urged nations participating in the tournament to focus on soccer and to leave politics out of the game. “I think there’s been a shift in our understanding of where sport is heading. He has since written two pieces for The Players’ Tribune which have outlined his opposition toward the World Cup in Qatar, the latest publishing earlier this month. This work will continue long after the World Cup has concluded, as it is important to us that we continue to instil and build on the progress made over the last decade.”

☆ Ecuador's president to skip World Cup opener v Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

QUITO, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean President Guillermo Lasso has decided not to attend his nation's high-profile match against Qatar kicking off the World Cup, citing domestic unrest. Qatar and Ecuador, both rank outsiders, play each other in Group A on Nov. 20 after the opening ceremony at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium. "I have thanked the Emir of Qatar for the invitation to witness the opening match between our teams," Lasso tweeted. Instead of Lasso, his vice president Alfredo Borrero will attend the match in Qatar to represent Ecuador, according to a presidency statement. Ecuador did, however, get a three-point deduction for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs ($101,600) for using a document with false information.

☆ Morocco to play Georgia in World Cup warm-up game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 9 (Reuters) - Morocco have arranged a World Cup warm-up international against Georgia next Thursday, six days before their opening game of the tournament in Qatar. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation said the match would be hosted in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 17. Morocco will compete in Group F at the World Cup and play their opening match against Croatia at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Nov. 23. They will also play Belgium and Canada in the group stage. Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The 2022 World Cup kicks off on November 20 and runs through December 18 in the Gulf state. Khalifa International Stadium — The Khalifa International Stadium was the first of the Qatar 2022 World Cup venues to be completed. The Khalifa International Stadium was the first of the Qatar 2022 World Cup venues to be completed. It officially opened on May 19, 2017, and can hold 48,000 fans after being expanded for the World Cup. Neoscape Al Thumama Stadium — The 40,000-seat Al Thumama Stadium will host matches up to the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup.

Search resuls for: "Al Bayt"

15 mentions found