lightning F57
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Argentina and the Dutch look strong to me. France too.
FIFA World Cup 2022
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ghazi52
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November 20, 2022
Qatar’s supporters wave a flag as they arrive at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on November 20, 2022, before the kick-off match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament between Qatar and Ecuador. — AFP
A general view of the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha, taken on November 20.
The World Cup kicks off with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador on Sunday as the month-long football showpiece finally gets under way after a tortuous 12-year build-up dogged by off-field controversies.
Foreign government officials, VIPs and celebrities will be in the crowd as the first World Cup staged in the Arab world opens at the Bedouin tent-inspired Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 kilometres (31 miles) outside of Doha.
The venue is one of an array of new stadiums built for the tournament, which has cost Qatar an estimated $200 billion, the most expensive World Cup in history.
South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook will headline the 30-minute opening ceremony, which organisers said on Sunday would reflect themes of “humanity, respect and inclusion”.
The list o
f foreign dignitaries at Sunday's opening includes Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who orchestrated a regional blockade of Qatar in 2017.
World Cup organisers hope the start of the football will quell the controversies that have overshadowed preparations for the tournament ever since Qatar was named as host nation in a shock FIFA vote in 2010.
Qatar's treatment of migrant workers and the Gulf state's human rights record have dominated the pre-tournament headlines.
On Saturday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino went on the offensive in an aggressive rebuttal of the opprobrium aimed at the event, arguing that much of the criticism was unfair.
“This moral lesson-giving — one-sided — is just hypocrisy,” Infantino said. “I don't want to give you any lessons of life, but what is going on here is profoundly, profoundly unjust.”
Controversies look certain to rumble on into the tournament even after the action starts.
Several European nations taking part — including England, Germany and Denmark — have said their players will wear rainbow-coloured “OneLove” armbands in a gesture of solidarity with the LGBTQ community.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
The move raises the prospect of disciplinary action from FIFA, which has revealed plans to make its own alternative armbands available to teams.
Infantino insisted that all World Cup visitors would be welcome regardless of sexual orientation.
“I've been speaking about this topic with the highest leadership,” he said. “They can confirm that I can confirm that everyone is welcome.”
Defending champions France suffered another injury hammer blow early Sunday after confirmation that star striker and Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema had been forced out of the tournament with injury.
The Real Madrid star limped out of a training session at the French camp on Saturday evening with a left thigh injury.
The French federation later confirmed in a statement that the 34-year-old would require “a recovery period of three weeks” and would play no part in the competition.
“I am extremely sad for Karim, for whom this World Cup was a major objective,” said France coach Didier Deschamps, who has decided not to replace the forward.
“Despite this new blow for the France team I have full faith in my squad. We will do all we can to rise to the huge challenge that awaits us.”
Benzema's withdrawal comes with France already battling the injury absence of star midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante.
Belgium are also reeling from an injury blow after striker Romelu Lukaku was ruled out of the Red Devils' opening two games as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
Australia winger Martin Boyle joined the list of footballers who will play no part in the tournament. Head coach Graham Arnold said the winger had failed to recover from a knee injury.
“We all feel for Martin and it is a cruel blow for him,” Arnold said.
Football World Cup poised for kick-off as Benzema blow rocks defending champions France
AFPNovember 20, 2022
Qatar’s supporters wave a flag as they arrive at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on November 20, 2022, before the kick-off match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament between Qatar and Ecuador. — AFP
A general view of the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha, taken on November 20.
The World Cup kicks off with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador on Sunday as the month-long football showpiece finally gets under way after a tortuous 12-year build-up dogged by off-field controversies.
Foreign government officials, VIPs and celebrities will be in the crowd as the first World Cup staged in the Arab world opens at the Bedouin tent-inspired Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 kilometres (31 miles) outside of Doha.
The venue is one of an array of new stadiums built for the tournament, which has cost Qatar an estimated $200 billion, the most expensive World Cup in history.
South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook will headline the 30-minute opening ceremony, which organisers said on Sunday would reflect themes of “humanity, respect and inclusion”.
The list o
f foreign dignitaries at Sunday's opening includes Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who orchestrated a regional blockade of Qatar in 2017.
World Cup organisers hope the start of the football will quell the controversies that have overshadowed preparations for the tournament ever since Qatar was named as host nation in a shock FIFA vote in 2010.
Qatar's treatment of migrant workers and the Gulf state's human rights record have dominated the pre-tournament headlines.
On Saturday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino went on the offensive in an aggressive rebuttal of the opprobrium aimed at the event, arguing that much of the criticism was unfair.
“This moral lesson-giving — one-sided — is just hypocrisy,” Infantino said. “I don't want to give you any lessons of life, but what is going on here is profoundly, profoundly unjust.”
Controversies look certain to rumble on into the tournament even after the action starts.
Several European nations taking part — including England, Germany and Denmark — have said their players will wear rainbow-coloured “OneLove” armbands in a gesture of solidarity with the LGBTQ community.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
The move raises the prospect of disciplinary action from FIFA, which has revealed plans to make its own alternative armbands available to teams.
Infantino insisted that all World Cup visitors would be welcome regardless of sexual orientation.
“I've been speaking about this topic with the highest leadership,” he said. “They can confirm that I can confirm that everyone is welcome.”
Benzema blow, Brazil arrive
All 32 teams competing at the World Cup have now arrived, with five-time champions Brazil the last to touch down in Doha late on Saturday.Defending champions France suffered another injury hammer blow early Sunday after confirmation that star striker and Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema had been forced out of the tournament with injury.
The Real Madrid star limped out of a training session at the French camp on Saturday evening with a left thigh injury.
The French federation later confirmed in a statement that the 34-year-old would require “a recovery period of three weeks” and would play no part in the competition.
“I am extremely sad for Karim, for whom this World Cup was a major objective,” said France coach Didier Deschamps, who has decided not to replace the forward.
“Despite this new blow for the France team I have full faith in my squad. We will do all we can to rise to the huge challenge that awaits us.”
Benzema's withdrawal comes with France already battling the injury absence of star midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante.
Belgium are also reeling from an injury blow after striker Romelu Lukaku was ruled out of the Red Devils' opening two games as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem.
Australia winger Martin Boyle joined the list of footballers who will play no part in the tournament. Head coach Graham Arnold said the winger had failed to recover from a knee injury.
“We all feel for Martin and it is a cruel blow for him,” Arnold said.
ghazi52
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November 20, 2022
FOOTBALL craze grips youth and children as Siddiq Village awaits the World Cup’s opening.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
KARACHI: As the Fifa World Cup kicks off in Al Khor’s Al-Bayt Stadium on Sunday, there will also be fireworks going off above the Gul Baloch Football Ground in Siddiq Village as the Baloch residents of this little Malir neighbourhood perform traditional dances.
As has been happening every four years here, the place is already wearing a festive look, literally. The walls have been whitewashed for the village’s two artists to paint the faces of the most popular players and flags of all the nations playing in the mega event, though there seems to be a particular fondness for Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Portugal here.
The Gul Baloch Football Ground is owned by the Gul Baloch Football Club. There is a big screen installed in the ground to screen the World Cup matches. “During the Uefa Europa League, we put up a screen on the top floor of our club building but this is the World Cup so we are expecting a bigger crowd,” says Rashid Abdul Razzak, who owns the Gul Baloch club.
The club has played a big role in fueling football talent among the local youth. Bilal Baloch, an under-18 player from here, now plays for Bremen City in Germany. Two more locals, Pir Baksh and Waseem Mohammad are playing in football clubs in Iran while another youngster, Yaseen Baloch, plays for Karachi United.
Razzak says that you encounter unique individuals, all great football fans, in Siddiq Village. There is Ghulam Murtaza, a fitness enthusiast, whose favourite football team happens to be Germany, and he has learnt the German language, too.
The house he lives in is called German House and its entrance is covered with the German flag. Another person who speaks Italian has Italy as his favourite team. You also run into Maqdoom Murad Baloch, a rap artist, who raps about his favourite teams.
BUNTINGS of flags from teams competing in Fifa Cup adorn a lane in the village.—White Star
Fifa World Cup turns Malir village into ‘football wonderland’
Shazia HasanNovember 20, 2022
FOOTBALL craze grips youth and children as Siddiq Village awaits the World Cup’s opening.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star
KARACHI: As the Fifa World Cup kicks off in Al Khor’s Al-Bayt Stadium on Sunday, there will also be fireworks going off above the Gul Baloch Football Ground in Siddiq Village as the Baloch residents of this little Malir neighbourhood perform traditional dances.
As has been happening every four years here, the place is already wearing a festive look, literally. The walls have been whitewashed for the village’s two artists to paint the faces of the most popular players and flags of all the nations playing in the mega event, though there seems to be a particular fondness for Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy and Portugal here.
The Gul Baloch Football Ground is owned by the Gul Baloch Football Club. There is a big screen installed in the ground to screen the World Cup matches. “During the Uefa Europa League, we put up a screen on the top floor of our club building but this is the World Cup so we are expecting a bigger crowd,” says Rashid Abdul Razzak, who owns the Gul Baloch club.
The club has played a big role in fueling football talent among the local youth. Bilal Baloch, an under-18 player from here, now plays for Bremen City in Germany. Two more locals, Pir Baksh and Waseem Mohammad are playing in football clubs in Iran while another youngster, Yaseen Baloch, plays for Karachi United.
Razzak says that you encounter unique individuals, all great football fans, in Siddiq Village. There is Ghulam Murtaza, a fitness enthusiast, whose favourite football team happens to be Germany, and he has learnt the German language, too.
The house he lives in is called German House and its entrance is covered with the German flag. Another person who speaks Italian has Italy as his favourite team. You also run into Maqdoom Murad Baloch, a rap artist, who raps about his favourite teams.
BUNTINGS of flags from teams competing in Fifa Cup adorn a lane in the village.—White Star
ghazi52
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The World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday with the Muslim nation, which faced a barrage of criticism over its treatment of foreign workers, LGBT rights and social restrictions, staking its reputation on delivering a smooth tournament.
In a show of solidarity, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General, are among the leaders at the opening ceremony in a tent-shaped stadium ahead of the first match between the hosts and Ecuador.
Qatar, which has denied accusations of abuse of workers and discrimination, and FIFA hope the spotlight will now turn to act on the pitch. Organisers have also denied allegations of bribery for hosting rights.
Inside Al Bayt Stadium many seats were still vacant with gridlock on the expressway leading to the arena, where cheers went up as Qatar’s team appeared for their opening match.
Onstage, singer Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS will perform a new tournament song, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi.
The football tournament, the first held in the Middle East and the most expensive in its history, is a culmination of Qatar’s soft power push, after a 3-1/2 year boycott by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain which ended in 2021.
The UAE, whose rapprochement with Doha has been slower than that of Riyadh and Cairo, sent its vice president who is also the ruler of Dubai, where many World Cup fans have opted to stay.
For the first time, a direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Doha landed in Qatar on Sunday despite the absence of formal bilateral ties, in a deal brokered by FIFA to carry both Palestinians and Israelis to the tournament.
The Gulf state’s Deputy Prime Minister Khalid Al-Attiyah, in remarks on state media, said Qatar was reaping the benefits of years of “hard work and sound planning”.
On Saturday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino rounded on European critics of Qatar, saying engagement was the only way to improve rights, while Doha has also pointed to labour reforms.
Denmark’s and Germany’s team captains will wear One Love armbands as they prepare to compete in a conservative Muslim state where same-sex relations are illegal. Organisers say all are welcome while warning against public affection.
Throngs of fans were already arriving in Qatar but the main rush will be later this week.
Daniel Oordt from Holland, clad in orange, told Reuters there was a feeling of “constant pressure around you not to say the wrong thing or make the wrong move”.
“It’s not a fun atmosphere to have at a World Cup.”
Four more members into the exclusive five #FIFAWorldCup
club
The World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday with the Muslim nation, which faced a barrage of criticism over its treatment of foreign workers, LGBT rights and social restrictions, staking its reputation on delivering a smooth tournament.
In a show of solidarity, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General, are among the leaders at the opening ceremony in a tent-shaped stadium ahead of the first match between the hosts and Ecuador.
Qatar, which has denied accusations of abuse of workers and discrimination, and FIFA hope the spotlight will now turn to act on the pitch. Organisers have also denied allegations of bribery for hosting rights.
Inside Al Bayt Stadium many seats were still vacant with gridlock on the expressway leading to the arena, where cheers went up as Qatar’s team appeared for their opening match.
Onstage, singer Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS will perform a new tournament song, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi.
The football tournament, the first held in the Middle East and the most expensive in its history, is a culmination of Qatar’s soft power push, after a 3-1/2 year boycott by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain which ended in 2021.
The UAE, whose rapprochement with Doha has been slower than that of Riyadh and Cairo, sent its vice president who is also the ruler of Dubai, where many World Cup fans have opted to stay.
For the first time, a direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Doha landed in Qatar on Sunday despite the absence of formal bilateral ties, in a deal brokered by FIFA to carry both Palestinians and Israelis to the tournament.
The Gulf state’s Deputy Prime Minister Khalid Al-Attiyah, in remarks on state media, said Qatar was reaping the benefits of years of “hard work and sound planning”.
On Saturday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino rounded on European critics of Qatar, saying engagement was the only way to improve rights, while Doha has also pointed to labour reforms.
Denmark’s and Germany’s team captains will wear One Love armbands as they prepare to compete in a conservative Muslim state where same-sex relations are illegal. Organisers say all are welcome while warning against public affection.
Throngs of fans were already arriving in Qatar but the main rush will be later this week.
Daniel Oordt from Holland, clad in orange, told Reuters there was a feeling of “constant pressure around you not to say the wrong thing or make the wrong move”.
“It’s not a fun atmosphere to have at a World Cup.”
Four more members into the exclusive five #FIFAWorldCup
club
Last edited:
lastofthepatriots
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I bet 30k dollars on Qatar winning opening match. Any takers?
Acetic Acid
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Egyptian President General El Sisi
Turkish President Tayyib Erdogan
Suadi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Sulman
All were invited for opening Ceremony of world cup.
And Khan signing a bat for Qatari Prince
What a honor it would have been for us if Khan was still PM
Khan was invited to winter Olympics earlier this year
But our lumber one **** army have their ego and small brain
Turkish President Tayyib Erdogan
Suadi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Sulman
All were invited for opening Ceremony of world cup.
And Khan signing a bat for Qatari Prince
What a honor it would have been for us if Khan was still PM
Khan was invited to winter Olympics earlier this year
But our lumber one **** army have their ego and small brain
Gomig-21
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It's actually the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Those balls look really great because of their subtlety. Not too flashy and very elegant.
First time since 2013. It almost looks like Thani was standing there as a referee lol. Erdogan does look a bit frail.
ghazi52
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Enner Valencia scores from the spot as Ecuador lead Qatar. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Enner Valencia scores again! Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Enner Valencia scores from the spot as Ecuador lead Qatar. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
GOAL! Qatar 0-2 Ecuador (Valencia 31)
Enner Valencia makes it 2-0 with a storming header!
Enner Valencia scores again! Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
lastofthepatriots
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Lmfao Qatar is so bad...
They don’t even have an attack and their striker is a chuttiya...
They don’t even have an attack and their striker is a chuttiya...
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