Human Interest

Here's the history behind the black cloak Lionel Messi wore while lifting the World Cup trophy

Written by Pardis Mahdavi courtesy of The Conversation

Shortly before Lionel Messi took to the stage to lift up the World Cup trophy, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani put a black cloak, called a “bisht,” over the Argentinian soccer star’s shoulders.

Widow of U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl confirms cause of death and no foul play involved

An aortic aneurysm caused the death of Grant Wahl, an American sportswriter who collapsed and died last week while covering a World Cup match in Qatar, his widow said on Wednesday.

"Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium," his widow, physician Celine Gounder, wrote in a statement.

An aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and torso, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

Nearly 50,000 Morocco fans expected to greet France with wall of noise in World Cup semifinal

When Morocco takes to the pitch Wednesday night against France in the World Cup semifinals, they'll do so as 6/1 outsiders against the defending world champions. But one advantage the record-setting African side will have is nearly the entire backing of the 68,895 capacity Al-Bayt Stadium.

Top U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl dead in Qatar, brother Eric suspects foul play

Top U.S. soccer journalist Grant Wahl died in Qatar on Friday night while covering the World Cup. Wahl was 48.

The news came on social media when Eric Wahl posted a video claiming his brother had died in Qatar. Eric added that he believes foul play was involved.

Ivana Knoll, former Miss Croatia, is turning heads at the Qatar World Cup

Soccer fans were curious if there would be a modest dress code for women at the Qatar World Cup. Former Miss Croatia Ivana Knoll has gone on to prove that just about anything flies. 

Despite Qatar’s tourism rules stating that visitors need to avoid wearing excessively revealing clothing in public, Knoll has done the exact opposite.

Pelé is in 'stable condition' according to hospital amid concerns of soccer legend's health

SAO PAULO — Brazilian soccer great Pelé remains in stable condition after being hospitalized this week as he battles colon cancer, a hospital medical report said on Saturday.

Pelé, 82, has also responded well to treatment for a respiratory infection diagnosed this week and his condition has not worsened in the last 24 hours, medical staff at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital said.

Pelé - one of the greatest footballers of all time if not the greatest - was admitted to hospital on Tuesday to re-evaluate his cancer treatment.

Wounded hero Pulisic hurt his testicles, but he'll be ready for the Netherlands on Saturday

DOHA - Christian Pulisic was hailed by his teammates on Tuesday after his first-half strike sent the United States through to the World Cup knockout rounds, with the effort landing him in hospital with a pelvic contusion.

The Chelsea forward burst into the area and bundled the ball over the line in the 38th minute of Tuesday's Group B decider against Iran. But he could not even celebrate the goal as he had injured himself following a collision with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

World Cup streaker is the bravest person in the world

Everyone wondered if it would happen and at the halfway point of the World Cup, Qatar finally got its streaker. Monday’s final matchup between Uruguay and Portugal was interrupted momentarily when a pitch invader brandished what appeared to be a rainbow pride flag and found their way past security and onto the playing surface. 

Meet the Qatar Metro guy — a worker from Kenya who became the most viral person at the World Cup

A 23-year-old worker from Kenya has become one of the biggest stars off the field in Qatar. Abubakar Abbas has risen to stardom by saying one simple word: "Metro." Ladies and gentlemen, meet the star of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Metro guy.

Metro? Metro!

The internet and social media — especially TikTok — is incredibly random in terms of what goes viral. Abbas’ popularity spawned on TikTok where videos of him have garnered millions and millions of views.

Iran wants to ban the USA from World Cup after USMNT social media posted an altered Iran flag

According to Iran media, the Iranian soccer federation is filing a complaint to FIFA after the United States men’s national team posted a picture that included an altered imagine of Iran’s flag.

On Friday the USMNT twitter account tweeted a photo of the Group B standings with one noticeable detail missing. In a show of solidarity with the protests taking place in Iran, the symbol of the Islamic Republic was removed from Iran’s flag.

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