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How The World Cup Works: A Guide For Everyone (Qatar 2022)

The FIFA men’s World Cup is the most popular tournament for the world’s most popular game. The 22nd edition kicks off in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 20, 2022. You know it’s a big deal, but do you know how the World Cup works?

FIFA release schedule for new club competition this year: The Intercontinental Cup

The first edition of the annual FIFA Intercontinental Cup for club teams from around the world will have five matches, with European Champions League winners Real Madrid to play in the final on Dec. 18 in Doha, the world soccer body said on Friday.

The tournament, which was announced in December last year, replaces the annual Club World Cup which will now be played every four years with 32 teams from 2025.

2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Watch: Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates goal with magic card trick in Asian Cup final

Qatar’s Akram Afif scored THREE penalty kicks in the AFC Asian Cup final on Saturday to guide the host country to a 3-1 victory vs. Jordan. Afif’s magic card trick celebration after his first penalty has gone viral.

This may be the most unique and coldest goal celebrations we’ve ever seen.

After burying the penalty, the Qatari star reached into his shin guard and pulled out a trading card of himself. Then with one quick movement and some sleight of hand Afif switched the card to reveal the letter “S”.

Afif magic card trick celebration

Qatar player accused of racist slur against New Zealand's Michael Boxall still in Gold Cup squad

New Zealand Football (NZF) said it will contact FIFA about protecting players from racism after the men's national team abandoned a friendly against Qatar at halftime in protest at an alleged racist slur against one of their players.

New Zealand said a Qatari opponent directed a "significant racist slur" at All Whites defender Michael Boxall, who has Samoan heritage, shortly before the interval.

Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Al-Shahrani returns to action after horror injury vs. Argentina

Saudi Arabia defender Yasser Al-Shahrani returned to training with his club Al-Hilal on Thursday, 133 days after suffering a serious injury during their stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar last year.

Al-Shahrani, 30, suffered head, chest and abdomen injuries after colliding with his own goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais in the final minutes of the game, which was arguably the biggest shock in World Cup history, with Argentina going on to lift the trophy.

Ted Lasso's subtle, yet touching tribute to Grant Wahl

The newest episode of Apple TV’s hit show Ted Lasso features an extremely niche yet beautiful tribute to legendary sportswriter Grant Wahl, who died while covering the World Cup in Qatar. Season three’s fourth episode ended with a message, “In memory of Grant Wahl,” but it was an earlier moment that eagle-eyed viewers will remember most.

Qatar's Al Thani submits new $6 billion bid for Manchester United

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted a new bid to buy Manchester United which is believed to be worth around $6.12 billion, Sky Sports News reported on Saturday.

Sheikh Jassim, a son of Qatar’s former prime minister, launched the bid in February. A spokesperson representing Sheikh Jassim said at the time that the bid was completely debt free, via Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation.

Manchester United did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

FIFPRO: Who thought a November-December World Cup was a good idea?

MANCHESTER, England - Global soccer players union FIFPRO said that the World Cup should never again be squeezed into a November-December window, and that Raphaël Varane's international retirement should ring alarm bells about the sport's smothering schedule.

FIFPRO released their World Cup 2022 Post-Tournament Review and Player Survey on Thursday, and said the results confirmed their fears around players' mental and physical fatigue and injury risk.

Qatari investors to make bid for Manchester United in the coming days

LONDON - Qatari investors are preparing to make a bid to buy Premier League club Manchester United in the coming days, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the deal.

The report added that the consortium will submit an initial bid for the club by the end of the week, and that officials from Qatar Investment Authority are helping with preparations for the bid.

Messi regrets Netherlands celebration, says Mexico was 'most difficult' opponent

It's been over six weeks since Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy and Argentina celebrated their long-awaited third star. Messi has since returned to playing for the traveling circus that is PSG, but the 35-year-old's thoughts won't stray far from that month-long odyssey in Qatar and the fulfillment of a life's dream for some time to come.

On Monday, a 45-minute interview in Paris between Messi and Argentine journalist Any Kusnetzoff for Urbana Play provided all the details from the triumph, fresh in the Golden Ball winner's mind. 

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