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FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday derided Western critics of Qatar's human rights record and blasted their 'hypocrisy' during an opening news conference in Doha, Qatar, before the World Cup, which kicks off on Sunday.

FIFA chief blasts critics ahead of World Cup in Qatar and accuses them of hypocrisy

8:31am November 19, 2022

by Russell Lewis

In an extraordinary opening news conference before the World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the host country's decision to ban beer at stadiums and Qatar's human rights record.

The Official Emblem of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is unveiled in Doha, Qatar.

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World Cup 2022: How to watch the matches online and on TV

7:00am November 19, 2022

by Giulia Heyward

The World Cup starts with host country Qatar playing against Ecuador on Sunday. Here's everything you need to know about how to catch the tournament's 64 matches.

Argentina fans kiss in the crowd while watching the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2014.

Here are things World Cup fans are restricted from doing in Qatar

7:00am November 19, 2022

by Bill Chappell

A FIFA boss once said, "Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup." But that was then. A beer ban in stadiums is just one of the changes fans face in Qatar.

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Qatar bans beer sales at World Cup stadiums, two days before it begins

4:38pm November 18, 2022

by Tom Goldman

Two days before the world's biggest sporting event gets underway, Qatar banned beer sales at World Cup stadiums. Alcohol is strictly regulated in the Muslim-majority Middle Eastern country.

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Qatar relied on migrant workers to build stadiums and other infrastructure for the World Cup. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about worker deaths and safety.

Why Qatar is a controversial host for the World Cup

11:13am November 18, 2022

by Becky Sullivan

FIFA's choice of Qatar to host the World Cup has long been marred by criticism over human rights abuses, the safety of migrant workers and the logistics of holding a soccer tournament in desert heat.

Budweiser beer kiosks are pictured at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup soccer tournament, which starts Sunday. Beer sales will now be banned at the tournament.

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FIFA bans beer sales at Qatar's World Cup stadiums in a last-minute reversal

9:11am November 18, 2022

Just two days before the World Cup is set to kick off, FIFA announced that only non-alcoholic beer will be sold at the 64 matches in Qatar. The tournament is sponsored by Budweiser.

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Ultrarunner Camille Herron ran 100 miles in world record time — or so it seemed

6:28am November 18, 2022

She ran the course in 12 hours, 41 minutes and 11 seconds. Later the track was remeasured. USA Track and Field officials claim the course was 716 feet short. They did not recognize her record.

Barbora Krejcikova, top right, and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, celebrate after beating China's Shuai Zhang, bottom left, and Belgium's Elise Mertens during the final of the women's doubles at the Wimbledon tennis championships in July. Wimbledon is relaxing its requirement for all-white clothing to allow female players to wear colored undershorts.

Wimbledon will allow women to wear colored undershorts, in nod to period concerns

4:06pm November 17, 2022

by Laurel Wamsley

The tournament will make an exception to its strict all-white clothing rules, after female players described altering their menstrual cycles to not stress about leaking onto their tennis whites.

Mexico's defender Edson Alvarez (right) fouls Brazil's forward Neymar during the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Mexico at the Samara Arena in Samara, Russia on July 2, 2018.

The World Cup is almost here. Get your head in the game with these 5 books

1:53pm November 17, 2022

by Bill Chappell

The beautiful game has inspired some beautiful writing: Two experts share their lists of essential reading as the 2022 World Cup prepares to kick off in Qatar.

Sports

NPR podcast tells the story behind Lionel Messi's journey to his final World Cup

7:35am November 17, 2022

La Última Copa, a new NPR podcast explores the meteoric rise of Lionel Messi, one of soccer's greatest talents, and looks at why critics have relentlessly questioned his Argentinian identity.

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