Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Media ID: 55377752
Caption:

Ronaldo lifts the trophy after Brazil win the 2002 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Germany. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Ronaldo’s Redemption: Recalling the Brazil Striker’s World Cup Fairytale 15 Years on

by Amy Lawrence | Jul 1, 2017 | Sports

In Saitama, during the summer of 2002, a busload of Japanese commuters facing the tiring last leg of their journey home found themselves suddenly overwhelmed by a gang of exuberant Brazilians who jumped aboard armed with ukeleles, percussion and an outpouring of...

Media ID: 55377491
Caption:

Then Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and former FIFA President Sepp Blatter pose with the World Cup after the Qatar announcement in 2010. (AFP)

Garcia Report Questions Qatar’s Efforts to Sway FIFA to Allow it to Host World Cup

by Asharq Al-Awsat English | Jun 28, 2017 | Sports

The International Football Federation (FIFA) published an investigation report Tuesday that demonstrated how voters exploited the murky system yet allowed Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. With the country’s vast wealth at its disposal,...

Media ID: 55376811
Caption:

Qatar Crisis Exposes its Fragility

by Mutlaq Muneer | Jun 17, 2017 | Business

London- The showdown with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has exposed the precarious position of Qatar. The soft power of the Qatar brand that was meant to protect it has never looked more fragile – Doha’s isolation is heading into a third week, said...

Media ID: 55367562
Caption:

In this Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 file photo, newly elected FIFA president Gianni Infantino of Switzerland reacts during the extraordinary FIFA congress in Zurich, Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

FIFA Boss to Encourage Co-hosting for 2026 World Cup, not Worried about Russia Hooligans

by Asharq Al-Awsat English | Feb 16, 2017 | Sports

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Thursday he did not fear hooligan troubles at the World Cup in Russia next year, adding he intends to encourage co-hosting for the 2026 tournament that could bring together three or four countries with four or five stadiums each....

Media ID: 55365297
Caption:

Cars drive past a logo in front of FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland June 8, 2016. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

FIFA Approves World Cup Expansion to 48 Teams in 2026

by Asharq Al-Awsat English | Jan 10, 2017 | Sports

FIFA approved on Tuesday to expand the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026 from its current 32, a move considered as the first major change to the World Cup format since the tournament was boosted from 24 to 32 teams for the 1998 tournament in France. Soccer’s...