Qatar

Qatar To Host Final Of Soccer's 2022 World Cup On Dec. 18

7:45pm March 19, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

FIFA, soccer's governing body, also said the tournament will be played over "a reduced timeframe." Separately, FIFA announced that France will host the 2019 Women's World Cup.

An artist's impression of the Qatar Foundation Stadium, one of the venues for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A FIFA task force recommended today that soccer's showcase tournament be played from late November to the end of December.

FIFA Panel Backs Winter World Cup In Qatar In 2022

3:22pm February 24, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

Soccer's World Cup is typically played over the summer, but temperatures in Qatar during that season can exceed 110 degrees. A winter tournament would coincide with the European club season.

World News

U.S., Turkey Reach Agreement To Train, Equip Some Syrian Rebels

4:14pm February 19, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

A defense official tells NPR that the rebels will be vetted and screened under top-secret protocols. Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will also be part of the effort.

In Qatar, Released Taliban Member Raises U.S. Concerns

9:16pm January 30, 2015

by Bill Chappell

There are new suspicions that one of the men released from a U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl last year might be trying to contact Taliban fighters.

A member of the Saudi border guards mans a machine gun at the border with Iraq in July. Since the so-called Islamic State launched its offensive this summer in Iraq, Saudi Arabia has sent thousands of troops to the region.

World News

Facing Threats From ISIS And Iran, Gulf States Set To Join Forces

11:17am December 09, 2014

by Deborah Amos

The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to form an unprecedented, NATO-inspired joint military command. The growing strength of ISIS and Iran's influence have made cooperation more urgent.

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World News

American Couple Detained In Qatar Allowed To Return Home

4:54pm December 03, 2014

by Sam Sanders

Qatari officials had accused Matthew and Grace Huang of murdering their 8-year-old adopted daughter last year. The Huangs, who were acquitted on appeal, argued that their case had racial overtones.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter told a news conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday that FIFA wasn't responsible for the working conditions of laborers who are building the stadiums for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He said the companies that employed the

FIFA Chief Rejects Responsibility For Welfare Of Workers In Qatar

4:57pm December 02, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Sepp Blatter, who heads soccer's governing body, said the companies that employed the migrant laborers building the infrastructure for Qatar's 2022 World Cup were responsible for their safety.

FIFA To Review World Cup Corruption Report

2:29pm November 20, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

The decision reopens for scrutiny the mechanism by which Russia and Qatar were awarded the tournament in 2018 and 2022. The two countries were cleared last week of corruption in their winning bids.

FIFA Files Criminal Complaint Over 2018, 2022 Soccer World Cup Bidding

2:41pm November 18, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Soccer's governing body said assets may have been transferred to Switzerland in connection with the bids. Just days ago, FIFA cleared eventual winners Russia and Qatar of corruption.

FIFA Clears Qatar, Russia Of World Cup Corruption, Ignites Furor

4:50pm November 13, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

A report by a German judge examined the actions of countries that bid to stage the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. But the lawyer on whose work the report was based called it "incomplete and erroneous."