Shakira rejection and expensive beer

Three days before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, disputes over how ethical it is to host a major tournament in this country do not subside.

They are caused not only by rumors of corruption in the International Football Federation, according to which Qatar obtained the right to organize the World Cup by dishonest methods, but also by statements by human rights organizations about the systematic violation of human rights in the country.

Because of this, it seems that the opening ceremony, which will take place on Sunday, November 20, was left without a headliner: according to media reports, Shakira refused to perform at it.

As you know, the Colombian singer has long been associated with football.

She lit up at the opening of the 2010 championship in South Africa with the song "Waka waka", and her composition "La la la" became the anthem of the 2014 World Cup.

The performer was going to come to Qatar, but at the last moment she changed her mind, explaining this for personal reasons.

There is no official list of artists for the upcoming event yet, but the names of Robbie Williams and Nora Fatehi, as well as the Black Eyed Peas and BTS, are named in the press.

The lead singer of the Korean band Jungkook has already arrived in Doha, but no other pop stars have been seen in Qatar yet.

But the fans have already arrived in large numbers and have managed to resent the conditions that they are offered in the tent camps.

The organizers of the tournament promised the guests spacious rooms with air conditioning, bathrooms, appliances and Wi-Fi, but in fact they had at their disposal tents with two beds and a cupboard for things.

At the same time, the cost of accommodation per day is $424.

Do not please fans of football and beer prices.

For 0.5 liters you will have to pay 50 rials (about 830 rubles).

It will be possible to buy it - no more than four mugs per person - in the ticket area near the arenas, but it is forbidden to bring it into the stadium. 

Drinking alcoholic beverages in public places is prohibited, but tourists, as an exception, will be able to drink in bars and hotels during the championship.

No less stringent requirements are imposed on the work of journalists.

Thus, the scandalous story of a reporter from Denmark, Rasmus Tantold, became known, who, according to media reports, was prevented from broadcasting live from the streets of Doha.

The journalist tried to argue with the steward, but he threatened to break the camera if the shooting was not stopped.

Tantold later wrote that he received an apology from the Qatar International Media Office and the Qatar Supreme Committee.

Messi's exclusive boots and Neymar's technical prowess

The participating teams are already preparing for the start with might and main.

On Monday, the first training session at the Al Nahyan stadium in the UAE was held by the Argentina national team, and more spectators gathered in the stands than other RPL matches gather - about 10 thousand people.

The main star of the team, Lionel Messi, trained in the new golden boots, which were released especially for him for the main football tournament of the four years.

The athlete in one of the interviews shared his expectations from the tournament.

In his opinion, the Argentines should not "succumb to public madness" and call themselves favorites, despite the fact that the team arrived in Qatar in good shape.

And in the Brazilian national team itself at that time, instead of the usual training, they decided to arrange a competition for the most technical technique.

To do this, the players were thrown off the ball using a quadrocopter from various heights.

The winner of an unusual mini-tournament was Neymar, who managed to take the ball from a height of 35 meters.

The PSG striker also commented on the likely layouts of the upcoming World Cup.

The Brazilian noted that in addition to his own team, Argentina, Germany, Spain and France are capable of reaching the final.

But he did not rule out unexpected results.

“The World Cup is full of surprises.

Some teams achieve unexpectedly high results in competitions, even if few people believe in them, ”said the athlete.

He also talked about talk about the PSG tournament where he plays alongside Messiah and Frenchman Kylian Mbappé.

“We don't often discuss it, but sometimes we joke that we will cross paths in the final.

I tell Messi that I will defeat him and become a champion, and we laugh heartily.

Playing with him and Kilian is a great pleasure.

They are two great talents, and Messi has long been considered the best football player in the world, ”The Telegraph quotes Neymar.

The British are the most expensive team in the world

Mbappe, meanwhile, has emerged as the top 50 football player to play in Qatar, according to ESPN.

In second place is his compatriot Karim Benzema, and Belgian Kevin de Bruyne rounded out the top three.

Messi ended up only in fourth position, Neymar in sixth, and between them the Pole Robert Lewandowski.

Also in the top ten are Croatian Luka Modric, Brazilian Vinicius Junior, Belgian Thibaut Courtois - Belgium and Senegalese Sadio Mane, who, however, is still recovering from an injury.

It is significant that there was not a single player from the England national team in the top 10 of the ranking, while according to the International Center for Sports Research (CIES), this team has the most expensive squad for the upcoming championship.

The total value of all its players is estimated at €1.499 billion. In second place, with a slight lag, is Brazil (€1.455 billion), in third is France (€1.337 billion).

One of those experts who consider the British to be among the favorites of the upcoming World Cup is the former team forward Wayne Rooney.

In his opinion, the representatives of Foggy Albion got a comfortable group, from which they should leave without any problems, and, subject to a successful combination of circumstances, reach the final and win.

And Rooney called Argentina and Brazil the main rivals.

“One of these two teams can definitely win the Cup.

It seems to me that Brazil probably has the best squad, but consistency will be key.

South Americans bring a special flavor to the championship, different from European teams.

It will be interesting to see what the result will be, ”said the ex-footballer.

In addition, he named two players whom he wishes success in the tournament if the title still does not go to the British.

“I would be happy if Messi or Ronaldo won the World Cup.

It would be the logical conclusion to their amazing careers.

I'm sure Messi will do everything in his power to help Argentina win," Rooney said.