All continents in knockout round shows growth of game, says FIFA
The Qatar World Cup will set a record as teams from all continents have advanced to the round of 16 for the first time ever, FIFA said on Saturday.
FIFA Sport News
FIFA’s shortsightedness in World Cup expansion could make Qatar 2022 the last ‘classic’ tournament
LONDON: Competitive teams. Fair, hard-fought competition with no chance of blow-out scorelines or one-sided matches. A gripped, captivated global viewership of billions.
Mendy looks to have goalkeeping crown firmly back on his head
DOHA : Senegal’s Edouard Mendy has found the World Goalkeeper of the Year crown a heavy one to wear over the last year, but a commanding performance against England on Sunday would go a long way to restoring his reputation.
Group stage excels as World Cup just keeps giving - now for the serious bit
DOHA : The first World Cup hosted by an Arab nation enters its knockout phase on Saturday, but such has been the daily rollercoaster of shocks, comebacks and head-spinning group climaxes that everyone involved should perhaps lie down for a week in a dark room before carrying on.
Stunned Uruguay win but dumped out of World Cup on goals scored
AL WAKRAH, Qatar: Giorgian de Arrascaeta netted twice in six minutes as a resurgent Uruguay beat Ghana 2-0 on Friday (Dec 2) in a battle for their World Cup survival, only to crash out agonisingly on goals scored after South Korea's shock win over Portugal. In Group H deciders that went right down to the wire, Uruguay had one foot in the last 16 before South Korea scored in stoppage time to go through by virtue of notching one goal more than the South Americans over their three matches. Uruguay had left themselves with a mountain to climb, with their cast of big-name strikers unable to find the net in their opening games, leading to their first group-stage exit in two decades. "Without doubt, we did everything we could. We paid dear," said De Arrascaeta. "We are sad because we left our all in this game, we scored goals and the outcome didn't depend on us, it left us out." Veteran striker Luis Suarez, playing in his fourth World Cup, was recalled to the team as captain and was instrumental in both of the goals. At the final whistle, he was inconsolable and in tears after Uruguay's fate was sealed. With South Korea tied with Portugal late in their match and Uruguay two goals up, La Celeste looked almost certain to go through before the pendulum swung agonisingly in the direction of South Korea.
Uruguay exit World Cup with 'bad taste in our mouth' - coach
AL WAKRAH, Qatar : Uruguay's bitterly disappointed manager and players blamed penalty decisions against them for their exit from the World Cup on Friday after they beat Ghana 2-0 but were pipped to a last 16 spot by South Korea due to an inferior number of goals scored.
With World Cup going well, Qatar determined to host 2036 Games
DOHA : Qatar is determined to bring the 2036 Summer Olympic Games to Doha, according to a source familiar with the Olympic bidding process.
'Stunning victory': Japanese fans in Singapore surprised by World Cup win over Spain
SINGAPORE: Japanese football fans in Singapore have been thrilled by the World Cup exploits of their national team, who came from behind to stun former champion Spain on Thursday (Dec 1).