Uruguay and Ghana set for epic rematch 12 years after controversial World Cup quarterfinal clash | CNN

Uruguay and Ghana set for epic rematch 12 years after controversial World Cup quarterfinal clash | CNN

CNN  —  Uruguay and Ghana’s quarterfinal meeting at South Africa 2010 is widely viewed as one of the most iconic World Cup matches in history. On a tense evening in Johannesburg, this was a game that had everything; drama, controversy, heartbreak, a villain and a hero – incidentally, both played by the same person. Luis … Read more

Justin Bieber launches clean water company Generosity at Qatar’s World Cup | CNN

Justin Bieber launches clean water company Generosity at Qatar’s World Cup | CNN

CNN  —  Justin Bieber is on a mission to make the world’s drinking water more sustainable. Bieber and Micah Cravalho have evolved bottled water brand Generosity into a water technology company that is providing premium alkaline water in refillable fountains across the globe. They showcased 150 water fountains this month at the FIFA World Cup … Read more

Why the birthplace of Islam is hosting one of the world’s biggest raves | CNN

Why the birthplace of Islam is hosting one of the world’s biggest raves | CNN

Editor’s Note: A version of this story first appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Sign up here. Abu Dhabi, UAE CNN  —  Electronic music, strobe lights, glittered faces and hundreds of thousands of people in mixed-gender gyrations are all part of a new kind … Read more

Ecuador dampens Qatar’s party as controversial World Cup gets underway | CNN

Ecuador dampens Qatar’s party as controversial World Cup gets underway | CNN

Al Khor, Qatar CNN  —  For the past year, a giant clock in Doha has been counting down to the opening match of the World Cup. Qatar and the world need wait no more, after this controversial tournament got underway Sunday with the host losing 2-0 to Ecuador. After a spectacular opening ceremony, which starred … Read more

World Cup 2022: Workers in Gulf state are united in wanting tournament to happen, says Gareth Southgate | CNN

World Cup 2022: Workers in Gulf state are united in wanting tournament to happen, says Gareth Southgate | CNN

CNN  —  England manager Gareth Southgate has a lot on his plate as the World Cup in Qatar grows ever closer. He is trying to turn around an England football team enduring its worst run of form since 1992, while facing an ever-growing injury list. All this as he prepares for the first World Cup … Read more

Qatar says it ‘commends’ call for reform after Socceroos video criticizing its LGBTQ and labor rights | CNN

Qatar says it ‘commends’ call for reform after Socceroos video criticizing its LGBTQ and labor rights | CNN

CNN  —  World Cup host Qatar has praised the Australian men’s national team for their efforts to raise awareness on “important matters” and said that “no country is perfect,” a spokesperson for Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said on Friday. In a video message produced by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and released Wednesday, … Read more

UK foreign secretary under fire for saying LGBT soccer fans should be “respectful” at Qatar World Cup | CNN

UK foreign secretary under fire for saying LGBT soccer fans should be “respectful” at Qatar World Cup | CNN

CNN  —  British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is receiving backlash for suggesting gay soccer fans should be “respectful” in Qatar when attending the FIFA World Cup set to take place in the Gulf Arab state later this year. Speaking to LBC Radio on Wednesday, Cleverly said he had spoken with authorities in Qatar – where … Read more

Group of prominent Iranian sports figures calls on FIFA to ban Iranian Football Federation from World Cup | CNN

Group of prominent Iranian sports figures calls on FIFA to ban Iranian Football Federation from World Cup | CNN

CNN  —  A law firm has sent a letter to FIFA on behalf of a group of former and current Iranian sports figures urging football’s governing body to suspend the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) and ban it from participating at this year’s World Cup in Qatar. “Iran’s brutality and belligerence towards its own people has … Read more