Most players who sought protection in Australia return to team as diaspora groups warn of possible intimidation, writes Eileen NG and Rod McGuirk
NORMALLY, with only a matter of days and hours before the start of a World Cup I would be bouncing off the walls with anticipation and excitement at the prospect of such a footballing jamboree.
Not this time. Because Qatar 2022 is tainted. Utterly tainted.
I view engaging with this World Cup akin to crossing a picket line. I’ve never crossed a picket line in my life and hardly intend to start now.
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
JAMES NALTON discusses how Fifa claims to be apolitical, but as Infantino and Juventus players stood behind Trump discussing war, gender, and global politics, the line between sport and statecraft vanished
JAMES NALTON discusses the use of dynamic ticket pricing at the 2026 World Cup and how it amplifies a culture already set up to squeeze as much money from fans as possible
Report raises alarm over ‘preventable deaths’ of labourers in Saudi Arabia



