World Cup 2022 results, schedule: Beer ban, opening ceremony, empty stadiums and results
Cristiano Ronaldo has doubled down on a TV interview lashing out at his Premier League club, but insists the rift won’t impact Portugal’s World Cup campaign.
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Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Monday that his explosive row with Manchester United would not impact Portugal’s chances at the World Cup.
Last week superstar Ronaldo lashed out at Premier League club United and the team’s coach Erik ten Hag in a TV interview after being relegated to a peripheral role this season.
“I have no doubt that this recent episode, that interview, and other episodes with other players that happen sometimes, can sometimes shake the player but won’t shake the team,” Ronaldo said at a press conference at the Portugal camp.
Ronaldo, who is set to start his fifth and likely final World Cup, was suspended for the Premier League club’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham last month.
The 37-year-old claimed during the interview that he felt “provoked” into that reaction by Ten Hag, and on Monday was unrepentant about giving the interview.
“I don’t have to worry about what others think, I talk when I want to,” he said.
“Everybody in the team knows who I am, what I believe in.”
Ronaldo said frosty interaction with his teammate for club and country Bruno Fernandes, along with images of him grabbing Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo by the head, had been overblown by the media.
“In these final stages of competitions there’s always those type of moments,” he said.
“We were just playing around, I have a great relationship with him. I was asking him, because his plane was late, I asked him if he came by boat.
“The same thing happened with Cancelo, he was a bit sad during training and I grabbed him by the neck and told him, ‘Come on, you’ve got this’, that’s what I said. And then it became another controversy at your end.
“The whole atmosphere is excellent, it’s bulletproof and iron-clad. The next player who comes here, you don’t have to ask about that, don’t talk about me, you don’t have to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo ... help them out, ask them about the World Cup.”
Portugal opens its Group H campaign against Ghana on Thursday before facing Uruguay and South Korea.
After missing a friendly with a stomach bug last week, Ronaldo says he is in perfect shape to play.
“I feel great, I have recovered my best shape, we’ve had good training sessions, the team and myself, I’m ready to start the World Cup in the best possible way,” Ronaldo added.
5PM: IS THIS THE WORLD CUP’S CRAZIEST SUPER FAN?
Think you’re a hardcorefootball fan? Chances are you have a long way to go to catch Bangladeshi chemist Abu Kowsir – literally.
Tying a few balloons to the letterbox in grand final week is one thing, but this is next level.
Kowsir is backing South Korea in the World Cup, and he and his wife Sabina have shown their dedication by stitching together South Korean flags into a 3.5km long banner that weaves a path from their home, along nearby streets and over a river into a neighbouring village.
The extravagant tribute cost them $5000 and testifies to Kowsir’s love of a country where he spent much of his adult life as a migrant worker, toiling in factories for 15 years.
“We love South Korea and this is how we chose to support the team,” Sabina, 34, told AFP. “We will keep supporting them and will pray for their victory.”
Kowsir said it took two weeks to sew the banner, which was partially bankrolled by his decision to sell a mango orchard he inherited from his father.
Its unfurling has caused a local stir on social media, with thousands of people visiting to catch a glimpse of it in person – even if they do not quite understand the reasoning behind the costly endeavour.
“They are crazy, spending so much money just to show their love for their team,” said neighbour Mohammad Akash.
South Korea, ranked 28th, faces an uphill battle against Uruguay when its campaign begins on Thursday, and the daunting prospect of a showdown with Portugal later in the group stage.
Kowsir says he has been gently ribbed by neighbours about his side’s dim prospects while drinking at a local tea stall, but he remains philosophical.
“There’s victory and defeat in every game,” he said. “As a Korean supporter, I hope they will play well. Even if they cannot reach the final, I will still support them.”
1PM: ENGLISH FANS’ SNEAKY BEER SMUGGLING TRICK
And amid an 11th hour alcohol ban at the stadiums in Qatar, Three Lions fans have come up with hilarious ideas to smuggle booze into World Cup games
Qatar U-turned earlier this week and banned alcohol from being sold at all World Cup stadia.
And it means that the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be the Doha city centre official Fan Festival – selling just Budweiser at almost $20 for less than a pint.
Alcohol is not illegal in Qatar, but being drunk in public is a crime - and there is a zero tolerance policy in place for drinking on the streets.
England fans reacted with fury to the U-turn, with some vowing to still “get p***ed” before games.
Now supporters have jokingly been brainstorming ideas about how to secretly carry booze into stadiums.
One fan suggested bringing in a can of beer covered with a Coca-Cola sleeve - allowing spectators to deceive security checking for booze.
Other suggested a hydration pack stuffed full of booze.
It’s interesting the English fans are so upset by the ban, you’d think they’d be used to it given the EPL booze ban.
12:45PM CAN WALES DO THE UNTHINKABLE?
The talk may be all about England and Iran but the other match in that group – USA against Gareth Bale’s Wales – will be one to watch.
Wales are playing in their first World Cup since 1958.
Captain Bale said he hoped to inspire a new generation of Welsh footballers. “Everyone’s dreamt of it for such a long time,” said the former Real Madrid forward. “We’ve had so many close calls. For us to be the team to get over the line was incredible.
“But more importantly the best thing (is) to grow football in our country, to inspire another generation. By doing that hopefully we’re going to have a stronger national team in the future.”
12PM BECKHAM TORN TO SHREDS
David Beckham’s reputation has been irreparably tarnished, according to Australia’s Craig Foster who has torn shreds off the England hero.
The former Manchester United midfielder - dubbed Golden balls - signed a $246m contract across 10 years to promote the World Cup - a move Foster and many others believe does more harm than good.
“What we picture David Beckham has irreparably been damaged. [...] He was seen as a gay icon and that became part of his brand and now, rightly, the LGBTIQ community around the world are feeling as though perhaps that was just part of his branding and it wasn’t authentic.
“Because to now be able to promote Qatar and say outwardly that it’s a fantastic place to come without mentioning the criminalisation and the oppression of the LBGIQ community, that’s clearly contrary to all the statements he’s made in the last 20 years.
“He has such an incredibly powerful brand that he is in a position where he can make positive change,’ he said.
“It would be wonderful if he admits his error and turns around and starts speaking up on their [the LGBTIQ community] behalf.”
The World Cup in Qatar started amid a backdrop of controversy over the Arab nation’s discrimination against gay people and women, as well as its human rights record.
10:55AM ENGLAND FACE WORLD CUP BAN
For weeks captains of the world’s biggest teams have said they will push on with their plans to sport a rainbow armband while playing at the World Cup.
It seems they may yet be forced to abandon making their intended statement with FIFA threatening yellow and red cards as well as bans to anyone breaching rules.
There are increasing reports that FIFA will issue heavy sanctions instead of fines and so it’s all eyes on England captain Harry Kane who will be the first to test the mood in their opening clash against Iran.
“We’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organisation that we want to wear the armband,” Kane reiterated. “I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment, and I’m sure by game-time tomorrow they will have their decision. “We’ve made it clear that we want to wear it.”
England maintain they wrote to FIFA almost three months ago stating their intentions and are yet to receive a response.
10:15AM FRANCE SLEDGE AUSTRALIA
The disparity between the Socceroos and France in terms of recognition and fame is apparent enough, but stark confirmation came on Sunday night in Doha time when towering French defender Ibrahima Konate was asked if he knew any of the Socceroos players.
“No, not at all. I don’t know any of them,” Konate, who moved to Liverpool last off-season for $65 million offered succinctly.
Okkaaaay then.
Eduardo Camavinga grabbed the mic next. Just two weeks ago, the boom 20-year-old midfielder was an unused substitute for Real Madrid against Celtic, who had Aaron Mooy running around in midfield for the whole 90 minutes.
The 20 year-old offered only a blank look. He didn’t know Mooy. Just offered some generalities about the Australian team.
JUST IN - England and Harry Kane banned from wearing the "OneLove" armband at World Cup in Qatar: FIFA pic.twitter.com/K03N3duJqC
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) November 20, 2022
8:23AM: ENGLAND WILL TAKE THE KNEE
Gareth Southgate said on Sunday that England will take the knee before their World Cup matches in Qatar to send a strong message of “inclusivity”.
On the eve of England’s Group B opener against Iran in Doha, Southgate once again found himself fielding as many questions about politics as he did on his team’s prospects.
The build-up to the tournament has been dominated by concerns over the Gulf state’s treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community.
England did not take the knee -- a gesture against racism and other forms of discrimination -- in their most recent matches in September.
The gesture has also been scaled back in the Premier League but Southgate’s players have agreed to repeat it before their World Cup matches.
“We feel it’s a strong statement that will go around the world, to young people in particular, to show that inclusivity is very important,” he said.
England are one of several European teams who aim to show support for the LGBTQ community.
8:45AM FANS STORM OUT
Ecuador fans roared their disapproval of Qatar’s last-minute alcohol ban during Sunday’s World Cup opener as thousands of supporters walked out of the stadium early.
Hundreds of South Americans chanted “We want beer!” from the stands as outclassed Qatar slumped 2-0 at the at Al Bayt Stadium.
The stadium, 50 kilometres (31 miles) outside of Doha, had been full for the opening ceremony before the match, with an official attendance of 67,372 given by FIFA.
Just three minutes into the game, Ecuador thought they had taken the lead through Enner Valencia, only for the goal to be ruled out for off-side.
Replays clearly showed it was a bad call.
Hundreds of fans began leaving once Qatar went 2-0 down in the first half.
As the second half wore on, more and more spectators departed until the stadium was half full by the final whistle. The match finished 2-0.
5:45AM: WORLD CUP START MOCKED BY FANS
Football fans mocked the start of the Qatar World Cup after the referee kicked off the game before the end of the stadium countdown.Hosts Qatar faced off against Ecuador in the first match of the tournament on Sunday evening, shortly after the opening ceremony.
And moments before play got underway, a voice came over the Al Bayt Stadium as fans prepared to count down the beginning of the match from 10 to one.
But when it reached four, the referee decided enough was enough and opted to blow for the game to start.
It made something of a mockery of the planned countdown.
5AM:WE WANT BEER
Enner Valencia’s first-half double left Ecuador coasting but their followers clearly also wanted to be toasting - to a comfortable performance.
However, just 48 hours before the big kick-off, Qatar’s tournament chiefs U-turned by refusing to allow alcohol at matches.
That could cost Fifa £40million as Budweiser prepare to play hard-ball.
The American beer company is one of the World Cup’s official sponsors and were set to provide booze in grounds and fan zones.
3:56AM FIFA’S BIG TICKET CLAIM
Nearly three million World Cup tickets have been sold, FIFA said Sunday, as the governing body’s president revealed the tournament had helped push revenues over the past four years to a record $7.5 billion.
A FIFA spokesman told AFP that 2.95 million tickets had been sold up to Sunday’s opening day.
The start of the World Cup has led to a surge of interest in the 64 matches over 29 days despite negative publicity over Qatar’s hosting.
Queues have built up outside the FIFA ticket centre in Doha and fans report long waits to get onto the official online ticket platform.
Qatar has already overtaken Russia 2018, when just over 2.4 million tickets were sold.
Originally published as World Cup 2022 results, schedule: Beer ban, opening ceremony, empty stadiums and results
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