Qatar regarded this year's World Cup in Doha as a golden public relations opportunity to dazzle the world with its new status as a major political player on the world stage.
After beating Germany in the team's opener, Japan worked its way into the round of 16 of the World Cup on Thursday by defeating Spain 2-1 the same score as last week.
One day after Iran and Wales were eliminated at the World Cup, FIFA finally gave a public assurance Wednesday that rainbow items and banners supporting protests in Iran will be allowed into stadiums.