Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Asian teams and officials ahead of Qatar 2022

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Asian teams and officials ahead of Qatar 2022

Kuala Lumpur: With the focus of world football firmly set on Qatar, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has sent his best wishes to Asia’s teams and match officials ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. 

In another clear sign of Asia’s remarkable progress, a record six teams from the Continent as well as the largest ever ensemble of 19 AFC match officials will be looking to stand proud amongst the world’s best at the global showpiece from November 20 to December 18.

Ito: Over half the world will be watching — that's huge

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Ito: Over half the world will be watching — that's huge

Doha: A key player for Japan, Junya Ito is one of the first names on the team sheet and he will have to remain on song if the Samurai Blue are to survive arguably one of the toughest groups and reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

He may have struggled for game time when head coach Hajime Moriyasu first took over, but Ito soon warmed up when it came to the AFC Asian Qualifiers. In fact, red hot is the only way to describe his final-round performance, with four goals and two assists. Having also won a penalty, he had a hand in seven goals in all, more than half Japan’s total.

Even so, his road to the big time was more leisurely than fast track. He played football in high school and college, but his big break came when spotted by a scout. Next came a move to Ventforet Kofu, famous for an unlikely Emperor’s Cup victory in Japan. Hard work and resilience would then see him rise up the ranks to his present stellar status.

This season, he moved to Stade de Reims in the French Ligue 1, where he quickly became the team’s beating heart. Ito joined FIFA to share his thoughts on the World Cup and his hopes for the tournament.

Qatar welcomes first teams ahead of Sunday's opener

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Qatar welcomes first teams ahead of Sunday's opener

Doha: With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 getting under way later this week, stars from across the globe have been jetting in to Doha.

Hamad International Airport has seen a host of nations touch down, with Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad among the first to land for the first global showpiece to be held in the Arab world.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy in numbers

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

The FIFA World Cup Trophy in numbers

Doha: Who didn't dream at least once of lifting this cup themselves when they were a kid? Playing at the FIFA World Cup Finals is a dream that does not come true for every player and even fewer manage to hold the trophy aloft. Winning this trophy means becoming a football legend and being remembered as a hero for the rest of your life. 

From Diego Armando Maradona to Zinedine Zidane, via Ronaldo and Bastian Schweinsteiger – plenty of footballing legends have had the pleasure of lifting this trophy heavenward and by doing so have gone down in history forever.

Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Guide available now

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Guide available now

Doha: Tickets? Check. Hayya Card and accommodation? Check. What’s left before embarking on the experience of a lifetime? The official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Fan Guide, newly published, is available now for download and collection.

The 128-page Fan Guide is the essential one-stop resource for everything connected to the best FIFA World Cup ever, including key information on teams, stadiums, match schedules, and transportation on match day. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/fifa_world_cup/video/fifa_world_cup_qatar_2022™_-_know_your_team_|_islamic_republic_of_iran_1.html