TOPIC

Fifa World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup 2022
The 2022 Fifa World Cup was hosted by Qatar, with a total of 32 teams from around the world comepting at the event. France, the winners of the previous World Cup, were beaten by Argentina in a 4-2 penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 draw.
China’s players walk onto the pitch at the start of their group A first-round match against India at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province, on September 19. China has focused on ridding the sport of corruption, with little attention paid to how its football performance can be improved. Photo: Xinhua
Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Opinion | To achieve its football goals, scandal-hit China can learn from Japan

From its 1991 low point, Japan rebuild its local league, focusing on clean governance, youth development and a long-term vision: World Cup victory by 2092.

videocam
Fifa

Chinese superfan books into Messi’s hotel for glimpse of hero

Diplomacy

Editorial | Sport and politics should be kept as far apart as possible

Fame and celebrity

Meet Sam Li Sirong, China’s 19-year-old fashionista football star

From the football field to high fashion, Sam Li Sirong is making waves as a rising star in both industries … here’s everything you need to know about the 19-year-old

Sam Li Sirong may only be 19, but he’s already a rising star in both football and fashion. Photo: @sam.li.sirong/Instagram
Middle East

Qatar-linked Man United bid the next phase in kingdom’s global charm offensive

Qatar-linked bid aims to elevate the country to ‘position of visibility and legitimacy’, as it seeks to boost ties with Asia, rest of the world.

videocam
Eileen Gu

China’s Gu among host of big names nominated for Laureus World Sports Awards

Eileen Gu’s double gold medal-winning performance at Beijing Winter Olympics earns her nod in World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award, while likes of Lionel Messi and Iga Swiatek headline sportsmen and women categories.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Timepieces

7 of Cristiano Ronaldo’s most expensive diamond-studded watches

It’s no secret that Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo loves a bit of luxury … here are 7 of his most expensive watches, from Hublot to Girard-Perregaux

Cristiano Ronaldo has splashed out to own one of the world’s largest and priciest watch collections, with a preference for diamonds, tourbillons and large timepieces. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram
Netflix

Netflix adds Fifa World Cup, Six Nations to growing sport slate

Streaming service commissions docu-series on 2 of the biggest events on the sporting calendar, while season 5 of ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ will premiere on February 23.

videocam
Fame and celebrity

‘He brought the greatest joy’: Argentina fans crazy for Lionel Messi tattoos

Lionel Messi tattoos are among the most requested skin art in Argentina after the team’s World Cup victory, followed by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who was crucial in the final match.

Hong Kong

Opinion | Let 2023 be the year in which Hong Kong’s fortunes turn around

After a year of sporting excitement and economic turbulence, Hong Kong is emerging from Covid-19 to fresh possibilities and a long-awaited return to normality.

9
People take photos of a Christmas tree by the waterfront in the West Kowloon district in Hong Kong on December 25. As we welcome a new year full of possibilities, Hong Kong must learn from the hiccups that other countries have experienced in reopening. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

11 Asian icons who shaped 2022: from World Cup stars to BTS and Blackpink

It’s been a fabulous year for Asian stars, from Squid Game’s HoYeon Jung and Marvel’s Simu Liu and Park Seo-joon to Michelle Yeoh – here’s a look back at 2022’s breakthrough icons

BTS’ Jin, HoYeon Jung, Simu Liu and Michelle Yeoh all had a fantastic 2022. Photos: AP; @hoooooyeony, @jin/Instagram

Pele’s family gather at hospital bedside, as cancer battle continues

Family members visited the legendary Pele at Sao Paulo hospital where he is suffering from worsening cancer as well as kidney and heart problems.

Villa boss Emery to speak to Martinez about World Cup celebrations

Argentina goalkeeper was seen holding a baby doll with its face covered by photo of France’s Kylian Mbappe during victory parade.

Son Heung-min

How does South Korea’s Son Heung-min make and spend his football millions?

The South Korea captain, who scored a goal at the Qatar World Cup, loves Ferrari, Maserati, Patek Philippe and Rolex, but also donates generously

videocam
Footballer Son Heung-min is an ambassador for various fashion brands including Calvin Klein. Photo: Calvin Klein

Fifa probe Salt Bae’s ‘undue access’ at World Cup final

Celebrity chef was widely criticised after enthusiastically posing for photos with surprised Argentina players including a bemused and irritated Lionel Messi.

Nusret Goekce, nicknamed Salt Bae, kisses the Fifa World Cup trophy after the final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium. Photo: TNS

Video | Why I did not watch the World Cup

Lionel Messi

Messi beats an egg to become most liked post on Instagram

Lionel Messi sets yet another record after social media post celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar racks up more than 65 million likes.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Messi evacuated by helicopter after crowds swarm World Cup winners

Argentina’s World Cup heroes abandon an open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires as millions of ecstatic fans flood onto the streets and bring the city to a standstill.

Fans of Argentina bring the open-bus parade to a halt in Buenos Aires. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong

Letters | For football’s sake: China should host World Cup, even in face of defeat

Readers discuss how hosting the tournament will help Chinese football, Hong Kong’s strengths as an insurance hub, and why tourists are not flocking back to the city.

7

Video | Sea of fans greets Lionel Messi and Argentina team at home after World Cup victory

Americas and the Caribbean

Fans flood streets of Buenos Aires to catch glimpse of Argentina football team

Captain Lionel Messi and the team waved at fans from a bus as they carried the Fifa World Cup trophy aloft after securing the country’s third title in Qatar on Sunday.

videocam
Argentina’s players celebrated with their 2022 World Cup trophy on board a bus as they began their open-top bus parade tour through Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Qatar World Cup: Inconvenient truths about the beautiful game of sports

Global sports will always be political. But hypocrisy should never get in the way of the beautiful sporting tradition of uniting people around the world.

videocam
Qatar emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani covers Argentina’s Lionel Messi in an Arab bisht as Fifa president Gianni Infantino waits to present the winning trophy at Lusail Stadium on December 18. Photo: PA Wire/dpa
Fame and celebrity

Who is Lionel Messi’s gorgeous fashionista wife, Antonela Roccuzzo?

The 2022 World Cup champ and Instagram influencer were childhood friends before their OTT ‘wedding of the century’ in Argentina – so what’s her life like as the wife of one of football’s biggest stars?

Huge crowds welcome Argentina team after World Cup victory

World Cup winners Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, arrive in the nation’s capital city Buenos Aires to tens of thousands of fans.

Human rights

Editorial | Football proves to be final winner, but do not forget the losers

Climax of World Cup a memorable affair in controversial Qatar competition tainted by claims of corruption, deaths of migrant workers and human rights abuses.

videocam
Argentina’s Lionel Messi kisses the trophy as he celebrates winning the Fifa World Cup on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
France

French President Macron’s behaviour at World Cup final stirs critics

French President Emmanuel Macron was an unmissable presence at the final, even making an appearance in the team’s changing room to deliver an emotional postgame pep talk.

French President Emmanuel Macron with France’s Kylian Mbappe as President of the Argentine Football Association Claudio Fabian Tapia and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani look on during the trophy ceremony. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s World Cup fever wins over young football fans, shoppers

Malls soak up atmosphere and dollars, with some that broadcast matches recording more than 20 per cent uptick in business for the month-long spectacle.

World Cup: curtain falls on most politicised sporting event in recent memory

As Lionel Messi defined an era with his World Cup victory with Argentina, so another came to an end as the curtain fell on Qatar 2022 in the most spectacular fashion.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement