International Football
VIDEO: ETO’O BECOMES QATAR 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP AMBASSADOR
BY DANIEL ETCHELLS
Samuel Eto’o, one of the most decorated players in world football, has joined the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) – the organisation responsible for delivering tournament infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and its associated legacy programmes – as a global ambassador.
Eto’o has won 15 major honours during his glittering career to date, a haul which includes three UEFA Champions League victories, four league titles across spells in Italy and Spain with Inter Milan and Barcelona, respectively, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
He joins Spain’s Xavi Hernández and sports broadcaster Mohammed
Saadon Al Kuwari as official SC ambassadors.
Former Cameroon international Eto’o earned 118 international caps and made appearances at four FIFA World Cups between 1998 and 2014.
In August 2018, he joined Qatar Stars League side Qatar Sports Club and made a new home in the host country of the next FIFA World Cup.
During a special signing ceremony with SC secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi, he became part of the journey on the road to 2022.
“It’s a great honour for me to be an ambassador for the SC
and hope I am able to deliver what is expected of me,” said Eto’o, a
four-time African player of year.
“The World Cup is the biggest competition in football – there is nothing bigger – and for the players who have had the chance to play in the World Cup, there is nothing more beautiful.
“Football goes much further than politics and it’s important that football travels the world because it’s everywhere, it’s an incredible social force.
“It has an impact on our lives even if some do not like football, we are always paying attention to football and I am happy that Qatar is and will be the face of it for a month during the World Cup, and Qatar will also be the face of the Middle East.”
he legendary striker, who in 1998 appeared at his first FIFA World Cup at the age of 17, has also made an impact away from the professional game.
In 2017, he was named the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund goodwill ambassador for Cameroon.
Additionally, in March 2006 he launched the Samuel Eto’o Foundation and has since built football schools across Africa with the goal of encouraging young people to have access to sporting facilities to hone their skills, while also providing the frameworks required for them to continue their studies.
The Foundation also provides healthcare and social integration opportunities for those who attend.
“It always humbles me to know I can bring a smile to someone’s face with small acts of kindness like lending an ear,” Eto’o said.
“What may seem benign to us, can mean the world to others.
“I told myself I have to share my experience with some and above all, the grassroots in Cameroon in particular and in Africa in general.
“I can establish football schools which will allow young people to overcome obstacles which they might face in Europe.
“This is why I embarked on this beautiful project that excites me every day and I’m happy because I have some players who play with some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
“It gives pride for me as the face of the Foundation but all those backing me have also played a big role in giving the youth this opportunity.”
Commenting on the announcement, Al Thawadi welcomed Eto’o to the team.
“Samuel is one of the most successful footballers in the history of the game and we welcome him to join us on this unique journey,” he said.
“As well as his remarkable achievements on the field, what makes him stand out is the commitment he has shown to using his profile to effect positive change away from the professional game.
“We have always been steadfast in our commitment to ensuring this World Cup is not only about the 28 days of on-pitch action, but about the impact it will have across the Arab world and beyond, for generations to come.
“I am confident that working alongside someone of Samuel’s calibre, stature and character can only help us to achieve these goals together.”
FIFA is set to expand the size of Qatar 2022 from 32 teams to 48 after the FIFA Council agreed the idea was “feasible” at a meeting in Miami last month.
Football’s global governing body has been considering broadening its flagship tournament for some time and it has already been confirmed the 2026 edition will feature 48 teams.
After analysing a feasibility study, the Council has agreed expanding the 2022 edition could work, so long as countries other than Qatar, the current sole hosts, agree to help.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been asked to confirm that any country being considered as a co-host of the 2022 World Cup complies with the governing body’s new human rights standards.
Before the FIFA Council meeting in Miami, Amnesty International and a coalition of non-Government organisations, trade unions and fans’ and players’ groups told the official about his “corporate responsibility”.
FIFA must ensure any country wishing to hold a World Cup first provides credible guarantees to meet international human rights law and labour standards, Infantino has been told.– INSIDE THE GAMES
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
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