World Cup news: Former Premier League referee turns down FIFA's request to 'make a stand'

It was a truly extraordinary World Cup both on and off the field that culminated in Lionel Messi and Argentina's fairytale victory over France in a classic final. We witnessed the implosion of Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy, Morocco's magical run to the semi-finals, Kylian Mbappe do everything humanly possible but win the trophy, and failure for…

Against the odds, Qatar pulled off one of the greatest FIFA World Cup tournaments the world has ever seen. Sixty-four matches were played, 32 nations competed over 29 days but there could only be one winner - Argentina. It was just the fairy tale ending one of the icons of the modern-day game dreamt of and perhaps it was written in the stars a…

This year's World Cup was a tournament of firsts - the first to be held in the Middle East, the first to be held in November-December and the first where a woman refereed a men's World Cup match. From surprise victories, to tears and spectacular goals, this tournament will stick in the memory. Here are some of the most memorable moments of the 2022…

Uriah Rennie was a Premier League referee for 12 years, as well as being on the FIFA list for four years, but opted to rejected a request from the World Cup in a protest against Qatar Former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie rejected a FIFA request over Qatar's record on LGBT+ rights Former Premier League referee Uriah Rennie has revealed he…

Blend of cultures from Qatar's'inclusive' World Cup never seen before: Qatar FM The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, hosted in the Middle East for the first time, is the most inclusive in the history of the tournament, a top Qatari official said. Speaking to the Washington Post, Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spotlighted the…

Qatar believes the World Cup has been such a success that there are fresh moves within Government to launch a bid to host the 2036 Olympics. The first footballing tournament in one city has convinced organisers they can host the Games with relatively little work needed for brand new infrastructure. A fresh potential bid is no surprise given the…

History was made on Sunday when Qatar became the first Arab country to host a World Cup. The Fifa 2022 World Cup is also the second held entirely in Asia. It is the 22nd edition of the quadrennial tournament, which began way back in 1930. Prince William made a surprise trip to St George's Park the night before England's departure to wish the team…

Another day, another World Cup upset. This time it was Japan's turn to upset the odds, with a fantastic 2-1 win over a toiling Germany team. Earlier, Croatia drew 0-0 with Morocco. It was the third goalless draw of the tournament already. Spain also got off to a great start. They were in complete control as they smashed Costa Rica 7-0. Belgium put…

Melanie C has said she "wouldn't be comfortable" performing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as an LGBTQ+ ally. The host nation has faced widespread condemnation over its views on homosexuality (which is illegal in Qatar), women's rights, and the deaths of migrant workers who built the stadiums for the tournament. Numerous artists have distanced…

After winning the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2010, it quickly became clear that Qatar would have to pull a rabbit out of its hat to successfully stage football's showpiece event. The largest concern at the time was whether players could even perform in the searing summer as the Middle East prepared for its first World Cup. It took…

England is practising penalties without goalkeepers in a bid to avoid more shootout heartache. Gareth Southgate does not want his stars' confidence plummeting because his keepers are saving too many in training. So the Three Lions, who agonisingly lost the Euro2020 final on penalties to Italy, are training for spot-kicks using a skill net which…

Meet the most controversial footballer at the Qatar World Cup. And it's as far removed from the Socceroos' bold pre-tournament statement speaking out about the human rights concerns in Qatar as you could possibly be. Mehdri Torabi is the Iranian star who is pro-regime and has taken a stand in opposition to his teammates on a topic that has divided…

Brazil are the favorites to win the World Cup 2022 with the best online sportsbooks. The five-time champions have lifted this trophy more often than any other nation, and there is a sense that this could be the Selecao's time to add a sixth star to their jerseys. Their squad is deep and strong, while Tite - who will step down after the tournament -…

The world's biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, is set to take centre stage over the next four-plus weeks but this edition looks set to be the most controversial. From bribery accusations in the bid process, to horrific worker conditions and despicable human rights laws, this marks a new low for the already cellar-dwelling ethical standards…

Over the next month or so, you're about to be confronted by football. Unavoidable amounts of football! Your TV screens, social media feeds and newspapers are going to be filled with lots of bits and bobs about this footballer or that, playing for this team or that, doing this or that at the World Cup. Chances are, even if you're completely…

More than 1000 Bangladeshis died while working in Qatar between 2010 and 2020 as the Middle-Eastern country took up massive construction projects to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is due to kick off on November 20. A few more thousands of South Asian workers - from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal - also died during the same period, an…

The World Cup kicks off in Qatar on Sunday - and it's set to be the most controversial in the tournament's history. Concerns about corruption, migrant worker deaths and the country's attitude towards LGBT+ fans have dogged the event before a ball has even been kicked. And the timing of the tournament - with the final taking place a week before…

The Qatar World Cup is upon us and the opening match will be played next weekend. Since they were controversially handed the tournament in 2010 (where have the last 12 years gone?) by Fifa, the tiny Gulf state has been firmly under the microscope. Whether it be the human-rights abuses of the regime, the deaths of thousands of migrant workers or the…

For the first time in four decades, I will not watch a single minute of the men's soccer World Cup. Not one vuvuzela-shrieking minute. I love the beautiful game, but despise the foundation of never-ending abuse, excess, corruption, exploitation, and discrimination upon which its premier global event is built. I was one of the American teens in the…

FIFA has announced that it's releasing four blockchain games based on the upcoming Qatar World Cup, because apparently, the world needs more blockchain games in it. The soccer giant describes the games as "future-focussed" and says they're intended to "engage a wider group of fans" ahead of the monumental sporting event. Blockchain tech has been…

Fans travelling to Qatar for their first football World Cup hope for a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience after spending months saving up to make the journey. Up to 3000 Wales fans are expected to fly out for their country's first World Cup since 1958 while officials believe around 3000-4000 England fans will make the trip for the group stages. Both…

Gareth Southgate was unaware of the FA's investigation into allegations that Ivan Toney breached betting rules when he picked the Brentford striker in his most recent England squad. Toney remains eligible for the World Cup squad Southgate will name on Thursday, but with FA investigators confident they have enough evidence to charge him…

Australia became the first team to collectively criticise Qatar's human rights records in late October, as they released a video which featured 16 players calling for "effective remedy" for migrant workers and the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships. Football Australia released and accompanying statement, which called for reforms in the…

The world's biggest football show moves to Arabian peninsula Qatar this fall. It is the first time the FIFA World Cup will be held in the Gulf region, albeit amid widespread reservation for the host nation's predominantly conservative nature. Sepp Blatter, former FIFA president, pushed against all odds to stage the beautiful game's biggest…

Eric Cantona will not watch the Qatar World Cup and has delivered a crippling assessment of this year's tournament. The Manchester United legend accused the country of'horrible' treatment of workers who have built the stadiums and says there is no chance of a legacy in the country. Cantona believes World Cups should be awarded to countries with an…