International Soccer

3 things we learned from Qatar vs. Ecuador: The host nation is a bad joke

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is underway with Ecuador handling the supremely limited host nation Qatar 2-0 without surrendering a shot on target. It was a pathetic display from Qatar, but their tournament will thankfully be over quickly Friday after Senegal once again hands them a deserved beating. 

So what did we learn from Sunday's curtain raiser besides the fact that Morgan Freeman has added a couple million to his bank account?

¿Por qué le anularon un gol a Ecuador en su debut ante Catar?

No iban ni tres minutos de juego, en el partido inaugural del Mundial entre Catar y Ecuador, cuando la primera gran polémica del torneo se instaló en el debate de los aficionados. Esto luego de que el cuerpo arbitral liderado por el italiano Daniele Orsato decidiera anular un gol convertido por el ecuatoriano Enner Valencia.

El cobro se fundó en un supuesto fuera de juego en la construcción de la jugada, pero al ver las repeticiones la falta no parecía muy clara. Y eso desencadenó los ataques sobre Catar, nación anfitriona del evento, a la cual acusaron de corrupción. 

USMNT names its captain for the World Cup

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter named Tyler Adams captain for the World Cup on the eve of their opener against Wales after he emerged as the popular choice to lead the Americans on their return to soccer's showpiece event after an eight-year absence.

Leeds United midfielder Adams, 23, is the youngest captain by a distance at this year's tournament, with England's Harry Kane the only other skipper under the age of 30 in Qatar.

Los hijos de Messi parten rumbo a Catar y dejan el árbol de Navidad armado en casa

Thiago, Mateo y Ciro, los hijos de Lionel Messi ya van rumbo a Catar para acompañar a su padre en el debut de Argentina ante Arabia Saudita y una aventura que esperan concluya con el trofeo de la Copa del Mundo en sus brazos.

Hijos de Messi en Catar

Vestidos con el uniforme de La Albiceleste, los tres aparecen en una foto compartida por Antonela Roccuzzo, esposa de Messi, que se ha vuelto viral. Con la lectura "Allá vamos Qatar", el post subido originalmente a Instagram cuenta ya con más de 1,5 millones de likes. 

A fan's perspective: Arriving in Qatar

Nearly four and half years after the World Cup ended in Russia, the pinnacle sporting event takes center stage once again in Qatar. I was amongst diverse soccer fans waiting in long lines to board a full plane in Frankfurt, Germany. The lines ended up turning into a cluster of a mob, bursting to get their boarding pass checked and themselves onto the plane. Qatar 2022 is the most scrutinized World Cup in recent memory, and was this unbridled chaos at the airport another warning for more disorganized madness to come?

‘Me and the coach's daughter? Not a problem,’ says Spain's Ferran Torres

DOHA - Spain winger Ferran Torres faces big challenges at the World Cup in Qatar but his relationship with the daughter of national team coach Luis Enrique is not one of them, according to the Barcelona player.

"Not at all," Torres told a news conference on Sunday when asked whether he felt pressure because of the relationship. "I think the coach and I, we know how to differentiate between when it's family and when we are manager and player. I think we have to get on with it in a natural way, just that and we're getting along fine."

France moves forward without replacement for injured Karim Benzema

DOHA - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defense.

Benzema trained with the squad for the first time since arriving in Qatar on Saturday but was forced to leave the session early with a thigh injury and scans ruled him out of the tournament.

Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No".

The making of Weston McKennie: How America's most unique talent reached the top — and the team behind the scenes who helped him along the way

Weston McKennie is one of soccer's most unique talents. Even on the world's biggest stage, the 24-year-old American stands out in the middle of the pitch with his all-action style, covering every blade of grass, arriving first to every contested ball and occasionally looking like a one-man midfield out there.

But Weston would be the first to admit that his meteoric rise to playing for Italy's biggest club and representing his country on the world’s stage is grounded in the help, commitment and sacrifice of teammates, family, friends, and coaches.

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