The FIFA World Cup™ is taking place in winter this year giving consumers the unique opportunity of having the world’s biggest competition overlap with the holiday shopping season – and companies the opportunity to gift jerseys, merchandise and much more to employees and customers.
BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's self-styled "first fan" Marcelo Martinez is so keen to see Lionel Messi and teammates at the World Cup that he arrived in Qatar six months early.
The first traveling Argentinian fan — and possibly the first visiting fan full stop — flew into Doha on May 3 with his blue-and-white wig, and has been having a blast ever since.
"Wonderful things have been happening," said the 54-year-old lawyer, who has found plenty of Qataris and expatriates sporting Argentina shirts. "They all love Messi and Argentina here."
The football that was at the feet — and hand — of Diego Maradona as he shocked the world with acts of both brazen gamesmanship and breathtaking skill in Mexico 36 years ago has been put up for auction and is expected to sell for at least $2.8 million.
The ball in question is from the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and England, in which Maradona scored six minutes into the second half by sneakily punching the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton into the net, a goal he said afterwards had been helped by the "Hand of God."
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is counting the days until the World Cup and believes his team have a good chance of winning the tournament.
Messi, who will be playing his fifth World Cup in Qatar, told Star+ he is feeling nervous ahead of the tournament but is in positive mood.
Argentina will arrive in Qatar with their confidence high after winning the 2021 Copa América final against hosts Brazil, which Messi believes was a turning-point for his team after several near misses.
The final FIFA rankings before the 2022 World Cup were released Thursday, revealing a top five that's largely in line with what the odds makers have for the tournament in Qatar.
Brazil rightfully holds the top spot and is seen as the favorite after turning its qualifying campaign into a program on Joga TV, while the Seleção's eternal rivals, Argentina, sit third riding a 35-match unbeaten streak.
Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain will retire at the end of the season, the 34-year-old said on Monday, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-laden career that lasted almost 18 years.
Higuain started his career with River Plate but made a name for himself at Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus before moving to Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in 2020, scoring over 300 goals in his club career and 31 times for Argentina.
Welcome to Talking El Tri, your new favorite Mexican soccer podcast!
On our first episode, Luis and Yahir discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Liga MX v MLS and the future of each league. They dive in to El Tri's World Cup group and how they see Mexico performing. Yahir talks a little trash and they ask each other fun questions de Los Cantaritos!
On Tuesday night at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, Lionel Messi was limited to 34 minutes off the bench but again demonstrated why his form has Argentina firmly placed among the favorites in Qatar.
Messi scored twice — giving him nine goals in his last three international appearances — to continue his incredible start to 2022-23 (he has six goals and eight assists in 11 games for PSG).
The first was a 22-yard rip that skipped into the corner beyond a despairing Andre Blake in the 86th minute.
La Pulga (The Flea), El Enano (The Dwarf), Messías (The Messiah) and The G.O.A.T are some of the nicknames people use to talk about the incomparable Lionel Messi. Quite an array of options to which we have to add one more: La Comadreja (The Weasel).
Lionel Messi was involved in all three of his team’s goals vs. Honduras on Friday as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 victory. The PSG forward is a man on a mission and he showed that at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with this ridiculous chip shot.
In the 69th minute (nice) and Argentina leading 2-0, Messi scored a worldie. The goal was so nonchalant and peak Messi. He didn’t even look like he was trying, no first touch, just shoot.
Stop that Lionel Messi.