International Football
Qatari female artist Bouthayna Al Muftah unveils Official Poster for FIFA World Cup 2022
The Official Poster for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been unveiled during a special event at Hamad International Airport.
For the first time, a series of posters has been developed for the tournament – all designed by Qatari female artist, Bouthayna Al Muftah.
The main poster depicts traditional headwear being thrown in the air – something which symbolises celebration and football fandom across Qatar and the Arab world.
The seven supporting posters showcase the Arab world’s passion for football and the game as something that brings families together
“My main inspiration was the concept of collective memory,” said Al Muftah. “Most of my work focuses on past experiences, memories, tying them to the present and archiving them in a contemporary manner. I wanted the posters to follow this theme and tell the story of Qatar’s football culture.”
She continued: “I wanted each poster to show celebration and football fandom in Qatar. The main poster depicts the ‘gutra’ and ‘egal’ [traditional headwear] being waved in the air in a celebratory manner – which is something fans do here when a goal is scored.”
FIFA Marketing Director, Jean-François Pathy, said: “The Official Poster for Qatar 2022 is an atmospheric reflection of Qatar’s artistic and football heritage.
“We are very proud of this beautiful series of posters that portray Qatar’s passion for football and shines a global spotlight on such a talented, female local artist.”
“These stunning posters symbolise our love of football and our excitement at hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world,” said Khalid Al Mawlawi, Deputy Director General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.
“Our traditional headwear features prominently across many tournament assets – including the design of one our stadiums, Al Thumama, the tournament logo, the Official Mascot, La’eeb, and now the Official Poster. We are very proud that our culture and heritage feature so heavily in everything related to the tournament.”
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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