Players stress importance of unity and describe how war affects their preparations for the tournament
The football on show at the 2022 World Cup made one of the best ever in a sporting sense.
The group stage finales were thrilling, there were memorable knockout games, and the final had all the drama you could wish for including a happy ending to one of the game’s most prominent recent chapters.
Despite this, there have still been questions raised about the quality of the football on show, leading to discussions around whether what makes a World Cup good or bad is determined by entertainment or quality.
Forward’s rise as the tournament’s leading scorer reflects a journey shaped by heritage and belief as Morocco reach the final, writes JAMES NALTON
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
JAMES NALTON discusses how Fifa claims to be apolitical, but as Infantino and Juventus players stood behind Trump discussing war, gender, and global politics, the line between sport and statecraft vanished


