Wales and England prepare for their crucial second World Cup games; OneLove armbands sell out after FIFA’S ban; listen to our World Cup-themed edition of the Daily podcast while you scroll.
Wales fans inside the ground have been getting into the spirit of things with less than half an hour until kick-off against Iran.
The players are also being put through their paces in the pre-match warm – with the temperature around 29C and climbing in Al Rayyan, the location of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Those players – if not the environment – will be grateful for the coolant machines designed to make conditions more tolerable.
Sky News has been speaking to former Wales captain Laura McCallister, who was among those told they could not wear their rainbow bucket hat – in support of the LGBTQ community – as they tried to enter the stadium before the side’s match against the USA.
“If we just give in to the first resistance, there’s not much point having principles, inclusion and diversity,” she said.
“So, you know, I’m very aware that a lot of friends and family and other football fans at home didn’t come to Qatar because they felt it wasn’t somewhere that was safe for LGBT people or were opposed to the regime and the views on migrant workers and women and LGBT people.
“So I think those of us who are here have a responsibility to stand up for them as well.
“In a sense we’re their voice here. So, yes, of course, you know, I was always going to wear my bucket hat and I’ll be doing it again today.”
As the Welsh national team make their final preparations for the 10am kick-off against Iran, here’s some Wales fans doing what some might argue they do better than anyone else…
Ahead of his side’s game against Iran shortly, manager Rob Page said his players would not be protesting against the One Love armband ban – even going as far as to suggest doing so may hinder their chances of victory.
Referencing the German team’s hands-on-mouth protest before their shock defeat to Japan, he said: “I want my players to focus fully on playing games of football and winning games.
“I am sure Germany now, in hindsight, will probably have the same message.”
Many will argue that Germany’s failure to win was entirely unrelated and that to link this to a widely applauded protest against FIFA and in support of free speech is facile.
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister has told Sky News it would be Islamophobic to be forced by FIFA to sell alcohol if a World Cup is hosted in the country.
An ambitious bid for the 2030 tournament is being explored by the Saudis – jointly with Greece and Egypt – and they have not been deterred by the heavy scrutiny on human rights faced by current hosts Qatar.
Even though alcohol is in some bars across Doha, assurances it could be sold at World Cup stadiums were effectively dropped by Qatar just ahead of the tournament beginning last week.
Saudi Arabia is completely dry, which it believes should not be a barrier to hosting a World Cup.
Asked if it would be Islamophobic to impose alcohol requirements on a tournament, Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told Sky News: “Yes, because the World Cup is for everyone.”
He added: “If you are against that, and you don’t feel like you’re going to enjoy your time coming, and you can’t respect that rule, then don’t come. It’s as simple as that.”
Given the human rights record of the middle eastern country – not to mention a climate that would likely see any World Cup having to be played at a similar time of year – many will hope the nation does is not awarded the 2030 tournament.
Saudi has major restrictions on freedom of expression and the rights of women and migrants.
In a statement released on Tuesday, a UN Human Rights office spokesperson said 17 men had been executed in Saudi Arabia since 10 November.
The spokesperson described the figure as “deeply regrettable”.
According to the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, 67 executions took place in the nation in 2021, more than double the previous year’s total.
Hello!
Wales will begin today’s proceedings with a game against Iran that is being framed by many as a must-win match.
Gareth Bale rescued a point against the USA on Monday, but will be hoping his side can bag all three against a team that shipped six goals to England.
Gareth Southgate’s men, meanwhile, will be feeling slightly more relaxed as they prepare to face the Americans in the late game of the day, which kicks off at 7pm UK time.
Here are today’s fixtures in full:
Wales v Iran 10am
Qatar v Senegal 1pm
The Netherlands v Ecuador 4pm
England v USA 7pm
That’s all for our coverage on the World Cup in Qatar tonight.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more news on the tournament.
Earlier we reported that Saudi Arabia wanted its investors to take over Manchester United and Liverpool – and hoped for Cristiano Ronaldo to play in its domestic league.
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal revealed the country’s latest sporting ambitions in an interview with Sky News – with the sovereign wealth fund already owning Newcastle and now funding a breakaway golf series.
Speaking about Ronaldo, he said: “Who wouldn’t want him to play in their league? He is a role model to a lot of young players – him and Messi – I would love to see them both play in the Saudi league.”
Asked if there was anyone in Saudi Arabia who wanted to buy Manchester United and Liverpool, he added: “I don’t know but I hope so.
“If there are investors and the numbers add up and it makes good business then the private sector could come in and sports in Saudi will benefit from these collaborations and these ownerships.”
Here is a clip of what Saudi Arabia’s sports minister said…
Football fans in Brazil have been celebrating in Rio de Janeiro after Brazil claimed victory over Serbia tonight.
After a tepid first half where Serbia’s committed defence had the upper hand, Richarlison de Andrade broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute and then scored a spectacular second 11 minutes later.
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