Unique, divisive & controversial - the World Cup has landed

19.11.2022 - 00:57 rte.ie

A few years ago Dave Hill - the buck-toothed, bucket-hatted guitarist from glam-rock heroes Slade - recalled how the band recorded Merry Xmas Everybody in the middle of a New York heatwave.It was 1973, and according to Hill, "really hot… it certainly wasn't Christmassy.

Eventually towards the end of the year we heard the song, and of course, then it made a lot more sense."Will the Qatar World Cup ever have such an epiphanous moment?

Unlikely.For a start, beginning a World Cup just as the tinsel is going up feels as odd as screaming 'IT’S CHRISTMASSSSS’ in July.But then everything has been turned on its head for this controversial, divisive tournament, which kicks off on Sunday when the host nation take on Ecuador.Last week Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola exclaimed: "We have a crazy World Cup and the players can't rest."Back in 2010 Guardiola - then Barcelona boss - signed up to become an ambassador for Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

Presumably he believes did too good job.In the same year Guardiola was bigging up the Qataris, David Beckham was part of the FA delegation aiming to bring the 2018 World Cup to England.They lost out to Russia - a shock that was one-upped by the mic-drop confirmation that Qatar had won the race to host the 2022 edition.

World Cup 2022 soccer Sport cup David Beckham Sepp Blatter Pep Guardiola Russia Manchester Qatar Usa New York Ecuador

DOHA: For 90 minutes, the hulking, masked mass that is Joško Gvardiol kept Belgium’s big-name strikers at bay with timely tackles — none bigger than his stop on Romelu Lukaku two minutes into stoppage time. Then the 20-year-old Croat who is fast becoming the most sought-after center back in Europe went over to the side of the field and reached up to embrace his mother and cry. The fact that Croatia conceded only one goal in their three group games at the World Cup is largely down to the performance of Gvardiol, who, despite his hefty stature, is nicknamed “Little Pep” because of the similarities of his last name with that of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

Kane extends World Cup goal drought but equals Beckham feat

DOHA: For Harry Kane, the wait for a first goal at this World Cup goes on. Substituted after 58 minutes of England’s 3-0 win against Wales on Tuesday, he embraced his replacement Callum Wilson and made his way to the bench to watch the remainder of the game. England coach Gareth Southgate clearly thought the job was done and qualification to the knockout stage secured.

UK comedian faked shredding money over Beckham's Qatar World Cup deal

LONDON : A British comedian who appeared to shred 10,000 pounds in banknotes in protest at the former England soccer captain David Beckham's decision to take on a role as an ambassador for Qatar at the World Cup said on Monday he faked the stunt.