Football, aka soccer, is life. At least, it is for many people across the globe. There are few things that are universally beloved but this sport comes close. And as teams on nearly every continent prepare for the start of the World Cup, all eyes are on one tiny country at the tip of the desert. Qatar. The first Arab country ever to secure the World Cup bid. But it s been a long and complicated road to get to this moment. Espionage. Embargoes. Covert deals. This is the story of Qatar s decades-long pursuit of the World Cup bid and its role in the nation s transformation into a global power.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Men's soccer team plays Iran at the World Cup, as Iran faces a crisis, with protests continuing for months after a woman was detained for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly and died in police custody.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Men's soccer team plays Iran at the World Cup, as Iran faces a crisis, with protests continuing for months after a woman was detained for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly and died in police custody.
Everything you always wanted to know about the Qatar World Cup (but were afraid to ask) Exclusive event for subscribers Delayed Gratification’s associate editor James Montague is one of the world’s foremost experts on Middle East football. He specialises in giving the deep cultural, social and economic background to the world’s favourite game in one of the world’s most misunderstood regions, immersing himself in fan culture and the machinations of sports and politics. And he has a newly […]