World Cup | Business Post

Matt Cooper: Infantino’s accession proves the maxim ‘be careful what you wish for’

The football world wanted Sepp Blatter out, but he has been replaced by an even more powerful autocrat with a speciality in gaslighting

The world at his feet: How Kylian Mbappé is leading out a new generation of football superstars

Kylian Mbappé is the golden boy of football in France who at the age of 23 is in contention for his second World Cup winners medal and he could yet become a bigger star than either Messi or Ronaldo

Matt Cooper: New contract means Ryanair’s ‘O’Leary era’ is still in mid-flight

It’s hard to imagine the Irish airline without its firebrand chief executive – but that won’t be necessary for a while, as his newly inked contract extends until 2028

Qatar signed up McAteer as ambassador to ‘dispel the myths’ about the country

The former Republic of Ireland winger was enlisted to promote the Middle East country’s hosting of the World Cup, in an attempt to counter negative coverage on human rights issues

Varadkar: next trade minister will face a ‘rockier’ period

The outgoing Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, speaking on a trade mission to Denmark, predicts a harder job for whoever his successor is

Brand it like Beckham: Why the former golden boy of English football is worth £150m to Qatar

The footballing legend is coming under fire for his deal to promote the World Cup host nation, but he’s been a prolific dealmaker almost as long as he’s been a footballer

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World Cup joy will come from the matches, not Fifa or autocratic Qatar

Fifa does love its autocrats; Russia hosted the World Cup four years ago, now it’s Qatar’s turn and as the global spotlight shines on it, Qatar appears insecure, prickly and defensive

Matt Cooper: Ronaldo spat raises questions over who has the bigger brand – superclubs or superstars

The Portuguese superstar is engaged in a war with Manchester United after an interview in which he claimed the club care more about marketing than sport. But the controversy suggests MUFC is no longer even at the top level of business management

Qatar World Cup

Emmet Ryan: No sign of a World Cup bounce as advertisers stay on the sidelines

Pre-tournament turnover is down as the controversies surrounding host country Qatar have seen brands act cautiously around promotions, while the Christmas timing is also a factor

Qatar World Cup

‘Never has football been hijacked so completely by a country for its own ends’

The kick-off of the World Cup in Qatar shows how football has been consumed by money, writes Susan O’Keeffe

Boycott or play ball? Ireland’s football fanatics conflicted as Qatar 2022 kicks off

Controversy over the gulf nation as tournament host, its horrific human rights record and anti-LGBTQ+ stance have left competing teams, fans and media broadcasters in a quandary

Profits surge by 254% at Bulmers owner C&C

Sales at the drinks company are now over €900 million

Players, pundits and sponsors face uncomfortable questions ahead of World Cup

It is too late for meaningful opposition to the Fifa tournament being held in Qatar, but there is still an opportunity for participants to protest against the country’s human rights record

Elaine Byrne: Qatar’s appalling record corrupts joy and celebration of World Cup

From the thousands of migrant workers who have died to the second-class status of women, the host country is so problematic it will be almost impossible to watch the football tournament

Editorial: Happy New Year to everyone, but most of all to young people

Young adults in Ireland and around the world have borne the severe Covid-19 restrictions this year with humour and serenity

‘If an Irish club has an opinion on this, it will be noticed in every part of the football world’

Ireland’s football community has started to grapple with the moral questions which surround the Qatar World Cup

Irish clubs should demand World Cup boycott, Norwegian campaigner says

Journalist wants League of Ireland clubs to call on the national football team to abstain from the 2022 tournament in Qatar in protest over worker deaths

James McDermott: The grounds for our world sporting bids would not inspire confidence

The only way our joint bid with the British nations for the 2030 World Cup finals will succeed is if Fifa officials are kept well away from inspecting our run-down stadiums