What will tiny Qatar look like as host for worldโs biggest sporting event?
Qatar is a tiny nation that is smaller than Connecticut in square miles, so Qatar would be No. 49 on the list of largest states if it was a part of the U.S.
Qatar gives fans paid trips to sing at World Cup ceremony
Up to 1,600 soccer fans of the teams that qualified for the World Cup are being recruited for an all expenses-paid trip to Qatar to sing in the tournament's opening ceremony.
Poland, Sweden refuse to play Russia in World Cup playoffs
Polandโs refusal to play its World Cup qualifier against Russia next month in response to that nation's invasion of Ukraine gained wider support when Sweden followed with its own plans to protest to FIFA.
Richards, Busio enter US lineup for Cup qualifier at Jamaica
Defender Chris Richards and midfielder Gianluca Busio entered the U.S. lineup for a match at Jamaica as the Americans started their second-youngest lineup ever in a World Cup qualifier.
![Ronaldo's armband auctioned for $75,000 to help Serbian baby](https://www.click2houston.com/resizer/Evh6kAp6vqJ5bBDPR78NsJqoElM=/1600x1169/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BTS3HUGPP5DI3PDZRBXNFXSBEU.jpg)
Ronaldo's armband auctioned for $75,000 to help Serbian baby
Serbian state TV has reported the captainโs armband that Cristiano Ronaldo angrily threw to the ground during Portugalโs World Cup qualifier in Belgrade last week has been sold to an unidentified bidder for $75,000 at a charity auction.
![Lรถw limps closer to exit after Germany's latest painful loss](https://www.click2houston.com/resizer/O4PlY9O97T2YJ6hch9tTPkZtRO4=/1600x1065/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6IUQUOUFP5BS7C5VSIHUBOSXY4.jpg)
Lรถw limps closer to exit after Germany's latest painful loss
Germany's collapse at the World Cup in Russia the following month meant the final act of Lรถw's long tenure would be a rebuild. Germany's showing in Russia was its worst World Cup campaign since 1938, and there's been more unwanted history since. Losing to North Macedonia ended a 20-year, 35-game unbeaten run for the national team in World Cup qualifying. AdInjuries have played their part, too, leading Lรถw to use defensive midfielder Emre Can at left back and right back in successive World Cup qualifiers. Lรถw has done some useful groundwork for his successor, like persuading 18-year-old Bayern forward Jamal Musiala to choose Germany over England.
![Europe top teams win WCup qualifiers as Swiss move goalposts](https://www.click2houston.com/resizer/0WuNw1HXPpGRHYti31kEA_n4Ijs=/1600x1070/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3SIBQXQJ6FE6HFD4ZDGUR5KSOU.jpg)
Europe top teams win WCup qualifiers as Swiss move goalposts
(AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)World Cup qualifying in Europe took a quirky turn when the goalposts were removed before a match between Switzerland and Lithuania because they were deemed the incorrect size. Like Spain, France started its qualification campaign with an unexpected draw at home but also got back on track in its second game, easing to a 2-0 win at Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Denmark became the latest European team to use the World Cup qualifiers to direct attention to workersโ rights in 2022 host Qatar. ITALY FLYINGItaly's back-to-back wins to open World Cup qualifying come after a perfect 10 wins in qualifying for Euro 2020. RECORD WINDenmark earned its biggest win in a World Cup or European Championship qualifier.
![Portugal, Belgium held in WCup qualifying, Ireland shocked](https://www.click2houston.com/resizer/i5j31qqknhTpZ_GPdi4PNKtU9Ns=/1600x982/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SGGGVIECE5EOJCJSKJWXEG3MXY.jpg)
Portugal, Belgium held in WCup qualifying, Ireland shocked
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Portugal at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)Portugal and Belgium were left frustrated by draws in their World Cup qualifying matches. Stรฉphanie Frappart made more history as the first woman to referee a men's World Cup qualifier as the Netherlands beat Latvia 2-0. TV replays indicated the ball did cross the line, but goal-line technology and video review aren't used in the World Cup qualifiers. Artem Dzyuba scored both of Russia's goals to move within one goal of the Russian team record of 30 held by retired striker Alexander Kerzhakov.