World Cup 2022: Fifa president Infantino “is in a gap and may cease digging” – dwell

The first signs of fallout from Infantino’s speech come from the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford. Here’s what he has to say:

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I had two thoughts when I heard those comments. First of all, I think there is a serious point about being prepared to review our own history. Wales is an outward-looking, inclusive nation where people’s rights really matter to us. But it wasn’t always like that. In our own history, we have had times when things that we have done, including things that we have done in other parts of the world, wouldn’t measure up to the sorts of beliefs and standards that we hold ourselves to today. So to take a moment to reflect on our own histories, it’s not a moment wasted.

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The second thought I had listening to what was said was to remind me of Healy’s first law of holes. Some people will remember Denis Healey, the great labour politician. And his first law of holes was when you’re in one, stop digging.

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(via Reuters)

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“It will be the best World Cup ever – of course.” Those the words of Gianni Infantino about an event marred before a ball has been kicked by criminality, corruption and death – and yet somehow the least contentious statement of yesterday’s grand address. (More on that shortly.)

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Today, at least, we’ll get to put his theory to the test. That’s right: 12 years after the World Cup was awarded to Qatar in a decision that left even David Beckham lost for words, the day is finally here and it looks like we’re actually going through with it.

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“Focus on the football” is another favourite Infantino directive. We can do a bit of that this afternoon, when the hosts face Ecuador at the gleaming new Al Bayt Stadium. And if the prospect of the planet’s 44th and 50th best international sides locking horns wasn’t enough for you, there’ll be a lavish opening ceremony beforehand featuring K-pop superstar Jeon Jungkook and nay-pop superstars the Black Eyed Peas.

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But before then we will have an uninterrupted stream of news, previews, buildup, correspondence, interviews, debates, squabbles, quibbles, protestations, trivia, reminiscences, hopes, dreams and regrets from this strangest of World Cups … plus a bit of football, too. Got any of the above? Please send them through via email.

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So kick back, crack open a Bud Zero, and stay tuned for live updates from day one of Qatar 2022.

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Key occasions

Ruben Neves is aware of which aspect his bread is buttered on. Here is the Portugal midfielder on You Know Who: “From what I’ve seen in coaching, he is in spectacular type. “He does not fear us in any respect, as a crew we all know very properly what we have to work on so that every particular person stands out on match day. If we’re good as a crew, Cristiano shall be phenomenal.”