The World Cup Final is almost upon us, and the news is hotting up. Here’s all the latest from Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo might have left the World Cup, but he never stops training – even though the Portugal star doesn’t actually have a club.
He is unattached after leaving Manchester United in acrimonious circumstances on the eve of the tournament, and is rumoured to be on the brink of signing for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
He resurfaced after Portgual’s defeat to Morocco at one of his old stomping grounds – Real Madrid. Ronaldo was reported by Spanish outlets to be at Real’s training ground, Valdebebas, working on an individual regime separate from the club’s contracted players, so that he could be fit when the call inevitably comes.
Ronaldo had initially courted a move back to Madrid over the summer while still at United, as his family were based there for many years, but neither Real or rivals Atletico were interested.
England legend turned BBC pundit Gary Lineker has previewed the next World Cup – by turning his ire on one of the three nations that will host in 2026, the USA.
The Americans are set to stage the tournament along with Mexico and Canada, but Lineker, speaking on the News Agents podcast, said that the United States was not free from the type of criticism that Qatar has faced, which he had highlighted on the BBC broadcast.
“We pointed facts out at the beginning of the tournament; those facts remain,” said the ex-England striker. “So, lots of people were killed doing the stadiums. Yes, the stadiums are extraordinary, but at a great price.
“Homophobia is an issue here, women’s rights are a little bit of an issue here (in Qatar). For me, it was always really more about the corruption side of it because, as I said previously, I think pretty much every country, including our own, has got issues.
“And we’re off to America in four years’ time, with Canada and Mexico, but obviously America’s an extraordinarily racist country. So, there’s always issues but it was more the fact that we just pointed out a few facts.
“Particularly the aspect of it being so corrupt – they said it was going to be summer and it was in the winter. I don’t think anything’s particularly changed but it’s been a cracking tournament but that’s football; football is a wonderful sport.”
Luka Modric opting to retire from international duty would be “a pity” for all football fans, according to Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic, who hopes the midfielder will continue with his team.
Modric won the Ballon d’Or after leading Croatia to the World Cup final in Russia four years ago, and the Real Madrid star enjoyed another fine tournament as Dalic’s men reached the final four in Qatar.
However, the 37-year-old was unable to inspire his team to a semi-final victory over Argentina, leading to suggestions he may call time on his international career.
Modric refused to give anything away regarding his future after Tuesday’s defeat (Wednesday AEDT) but Dalic hopes his captain will still be available after Saturday’s bronze-medal match (2am Sunday AEDT).
“He was very disappointed yesterday, the defeat and the game were hard on him,” Dalic told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s logical that he feels that way, it was really hard for him.
“Our concentration is on the game on Saturday, we haven’t talked about that (retirement). We have to prepare for that game.
“I hope he stays in the national team. Of course, he will decide himself. We have a game on Saturday and we’ll talk after that.
“If Luka says goodbye to the national team, it will be a pity and regret for all the fans around the world. He showed so much good football, but he also proved to be a top professional.
“When he wins and when he loses, he behaves like a true professional. It is difficult for him, and he will make his own decision.
“It will be difficult for me, too, if he decides otherwise. The whole world respects Modric. It would be nice if he continued.”
Although Modric criticised referee Daniele Orsato for awarding Argentina’s Julian Alvarez a first-half penalty in Croatia’s defeat, he also expressed his hope Albiceleste great Lionel Messi goes on to lift the trophy.
Dalic believes that gesture demonstrated Modric’s class.
“The most difficult thing is to remain dignified in defeat. It shows the greatness of Luka Modric to congratulate them all, and it is difficult for him, as well as for all our players,” Dalic said.
Dalic also underlined his intention to remain in charge of Croatia, with the nation’s Euro 2024 qualification campaign set to begin against Wales on March 25.
A security guard has died after suffering a fall at a World Cup stadium in Qatar, the tournament organisers have announced.
The organising committee said that John Njau Kibue fell at Lusail Stadium on Saturday. He was taken to the hospital and put in intensive care but died on Tuesday.
The security staff at stadiums largely feature migrant workers, particularly from Kenya and other African nations. The committee did not specify Kibue’s nationality.
His family was informed and the organisers “are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency”, the committee said.
There was no match at Lusail Stadium on Saturday. The venue will host the final on Sunday between Argentina and the winners of the France-Morocco semi-final.
Since being named hosts of this year’s World Cup, Qatar has come under intense scrutiny over conditions for over two million migrants who work in the country in everything from construction jobs to service industries.
Rights groups say workers face unsafe conditions at work, including extreme heat that has caused deaths, as well as exploitation by employers, despite reforms instituted by Qatar.
Qatari officials say stronger regulations over work conditions have been imposed under the reforms. They say three workers died in workplace accidents connected to the construction of new stadiums for the World Cup over the past decade, along with 37 other stadium workers who died outside the workplace during that time.
They argue that accident rates at the stadiums are comparable to others around the world.
Grant Wahl, the US journalist who collapsed while covering Argentina’s penalty shootout victory over Netherlands, died of an aortic aneurysm according to an autopsy.
Wahl was in Qatar reporting on the World Cup independently, covering matches and also off-field issues through his Substack page.
His body arrived home in New York City on Tuesday (AEDT) and was taken to the local medical examiner’s office.
On Wednesday afternoon (AEDT) Wahl’s wife, Dr Celine Gounder, revealed on CBS Mornings that any suggestions of foul play could be put to bed.
“He had an autopsy done here in New York by the New York City medical examiner’s office, and it showed that he had an aortic aneurysm that ruptured,” she said on the show.
“It’s just one of those things that had been likely brewing for years.”
Gounder also wrote on Wahl’s Substack page that “there was nothing nefarious about his death.”
The news of Wahl’s death was initially broken by his brother, Eric, who posted an emotional video to Instagram alleging that the 48-year-old “had been killed” and that he was “healthy”. Those claims have since been retracted.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Lionel Messi says police behaved with brutality, beating Argentine fans at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during Brazil's World Cup qualifying defeat.…
Seven months on from their gripping World Cup round of 16 clash in Doha, world champions Argentina have defeated Australia 2-0 in Beijing. An…
The alarm bells were ringing on 22 November across Argentina. The Albiceleste lost their first game of the FIFA World Cup to Middle Eastern…
The long-standing debate between Lionel Messi devotees and those believing that Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest modern footballer is finally settled. Once and…
Argentina has collectively lost its mind in honour of the victorious World Cup champions.
