As France and Morocco Take the Field, Colonial Past and Global Present Will Mix
History hangs over the World Cup quarterfinal between France and its former protectorate. These days, national teams intermingle and overlap.
World Cup 2022 (Soccer)
How a Curious FIFA Deal Gave Fox a Huge Bargain for World Cup Broadcast Rights
A decision to stave off litigation between Fox and FIFA turned into a bonanza worth hundreds of millions of dollars in discounted World Cup rights to the broadcaster.
Saudi Fund to Back Away From LIV Golf Under Mounting Financial Pressures
The Saudi league, established in 2022, attracted some of the sport’s biggest stars with huge contracts.
Messi Meets Trump and Argentina Is Divided
Lionel Messi, the Argentine soccer star, accompanied his team, Inter Miami, to the White House. The event turned into political dynamite back in Argentina.
How Saudi Arabia and Qatar Benefited From Rule Changes to Reach the World Cup
A soccer governing body that both countries have helped bankroll gave them extra rest and home-field advantage to set up World Cup qualification.
Qatari Push to Dominate Another Sport, Table Tennis, Draws Scrutiny
A wealthy Qatari businessman’s campaign to lead the sport’s global body is being investigated. One of his critics was detained and interrogated in Doha.
With Trump Visit, Qatar’s Image Makeover Scores Another Success
The emirate, once called “a funder of terrorism” by President Trump, has spent lavishly on overhauling its global reputation.
In World Cup Run-Up, Qatar Pressed U.N. Agency Not to Investigate Abuses
Lobbying at the International Labor Organization dovetailed with an influence campaign that sparked a corruption scandal at the European Parliament.