# World Cup
Last week
29th January 2023 - 4th February 2023
# Australia
Hosts want 'urgent' answers over Saudi sponsorship of Women's World Cup
Visit Saudi is reportedly poised to be named among the sponsors.
# exit door
Fiji head coach Cotter quits seven months before Rugby World Cup
The 61-year-old took charge of Fiji in 2020.
Last month
January 2023
# depth chart
Which players have played the most for Ireland under Andy Farrell?
The Ireland boss has handed out 30 debuts since his tenure began in 2020.
# Trouble
Everton woes worsened by Southampton comeback win at under-threat Goodison
Nottingham Forest boost survival hopes with victory over Leicester, and Wolves beat relegation rivals West Ham.
Last year
2022
# Goat
Pep Guardiola hails Messi as greatest footballer ever
City manager describes World Cup win as ‘final achievement of an incredible career’ for Messi.
# world cup champs
Argentina forced to swap bus for helicopters as fans swarm streets during homecoming parade
Players and staff had to abandon their open-top bus parade.
# Your Say
Poll: Will you watch the World Cup final?
Argentina will take on reigning champions France in the final today.
# Eva Kaili
Greek MEP at centre of Qatar-linked corruption scandal faces key court ruling
Eva Kaili was arrested last week during a series of police raids across homes and offices in which at least €1.5 million in cash was seized.
# World Cup
US journalist Grant Wahl died of aortic aneurysm in Qatar, his wife confirms
Céline Gounder expressed her gratitude for the ‘outpouring of support, love, and sympathy from around the world’ following her husband’s death.
# Eva Kaili
EU parliament sacks vice president amid Qatar corruption probe
The assembly’s MEPs voted 625 to one to strip Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili of her vice presidential role.
# All to do
Varane insists France must avoid Morocco ‘trap’ to earn place in World Cup final
The defending champions are just two victories away from becoming the first side to retain the World Cup trophy since Brazil in 1962.
# World Cup
French sports minister wore rainbow-sleeved jumper during quarter final game in Qatar last night
The rights of the LGBTQ+ community has been a recurrent point of discussion at the World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
# Your Say
Poll: Who will win this year's World Cup?
After England’s woes last night, the semi-finals have been confirmed.
# On the up
Ireland reach all-time high in Fifa rankings ahead of World Cup in Australia
The rise continues for Vera Pauw’s side.
# Poll
Poll: Are you watching the World Cup?
We’re asking if you are tuning into the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
# New Era
World Cup winner White warns 'naive' South Africans ahead of Champions Cup debut
White’s Bulls team face Lyon and Exeter this month.
# possibility
Raheem Sterling considering return to England's World Cup squad
The 27-year-old travelled back to the UK to check on his family’s well-being following a break-in.
# Time to go
Belgium’s Eden Hazard retires from international football
Hazard won 126 caps for his country.
# CONSEQUENCES
Qatar World Cup chief: Migrant worker death toll 'between 400 and 500'
Hassan Al-Thawadi gave the figures during an interview on TalkTV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored.
# Qatar 2022 News
Man with rainbow flag invades pitch during World Cup game
The man was on the field for about 30 seconds during the second half.
# Not happy
Iran complain to Fifa over removal of Islamic Republic symbol in US social media posts
The US infuriated their opponents by posting altered images of Iran’s flag.
# Ugly scenes
Riots erupt in Brussels after Morocco stun Belgium at World Cup
Police used water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters.
# stunned
Morocco impress with late brace as Belgium slip to shock World Cup defeat
Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal were on target for the winners.
# messi win
Messi magic helps keep Argentina's World Cup hopes alive
Messi’s goal meant he tied fellow Argentine icon, the late Diego Maradona, on eight goals and 21 appearances at the World Cup for Argentina.
# World Cup
Fifa bans fans from dressing as crusaders at England versus USA World Cup match
Fans have been spotted at the tournament dressed in chainmail while carrying plastic swords and shields with the St George cross.
# OneLove
Fifa accused of 'sinister abuse of power' over OneLove armband
Fifa threatened sporting sanctions, starting at a yellow card for the captains, if the armbands were worn.
# Swiss on a roll
Swiss get the job done over Cameroon in low score bore
Switzerland won their opening Group G game 1-0 this morning.
# World Cup
Coveney criticises Fifa's 'extraordinary' decision on One Love armbands
Under Fifa’s rules, players wearing kit that is not authorised by the governing body could be shown a yellow card.
Voices
World Cup 2022: Fifa's clampdown on rainbow armbands conflicts with its own human rights guidelines
Sophie King-Hill of Birmingham University looks at the controversy at this tournament.
# Qatar World Cup
Gay Australian footballer Cavallo 'lost respect' for Fifa
‘All the work my fellow allies and the LGBTQ+ community are doing to make football inclusive, you have shown that football isn’t a place for everyone.’
AS IT HAPPENED
USA v Wales, World Cup
Al Rayyan Stadium hosted tonight’s Group B clash, which finished 1-1.
# Dominant
Saka and Bellingham sparkle as England crush Iran
Gareth Southgate’s side have been touted as one of the pre-tournament favourites.
# Comedian
Joe Lycett reveals the £10,000 he appeared to shred in David Beckham-Qatar protest was fake
The comedian previously threatened to destroy the money unless David Beckham reneged on his deal with Qatar 2022.
# Protest
Iran team do not sing national anthem before first World Cup game
Iranian players did not sing the anthem in support of anti-government protesters in their country.
# Next Job
'It's about winning trophies' - Six Nations and World Cup in view for Ireland
Andy Farrell believes he and his squad learned plenty from their autumn clean sweep.
# Reaction
'A terrible face for football': How RTÉ, BBC and beIN opened World Cup coverage
Gary Neville, Alan Shearer and Richie Sadlier were among those to weigh in on the controversial tournament.
# World Cup
Harry Kane still set to wear OneLove armband despite Fifa’s late intervention
Fifa has launched a new captain’s armband on the eve of the World Cup in Qatar.
THE MORNING LEAD
Qatar 2022: The carbon-neutral World Cup that never was
Qatar and FIFA promised a carbon-neutral World Cup, but experts argue it is far from that.
# looking ahead
Final four? Surprise package? Biggest flop? Our writers' World Cup predictions
The42′s journalists look ahead to Qatar 2022.
# Golden Boot
Poll: Who is going to be top scorer at the World Cup?
Harry Kane won the Golden Boot in 2018.
