The head of Fifa has said western countries should not criticise World Cup hosts Qatar and should apologise for their own histories.
Gianni Infantino gave an hour-long press conference in Doha on Saturday and said he struggled to understand the condemnation of Qatar over the treatment of migrant workers.
The tournament kicks off in the country on Sunday.
"For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people," Mr Infantino said at an event broadcast live on television.
"If Europe really cares about the destiny of these people, they can create legal channels — like Qatar did — where a number of these workers can come to Europe to work. Give them some future, some hope.
"I have difficulties understanding the criticism. We have to invest in helping these people, in education, and to give them a better future and more hope.
"We should all educate ourselves. Many things are not perfect, but reform and change takes time.
"This one-sided moral lesson is just hypocrisy. I wonder why no one recognises the progress made here since 2016."
Speaking about how the West should be handling any conflicts of belief with Qatar, Mr Infantino said criticism was not the best course of action.
"Don't start accusing, fighting, insulting. You start engaging. And this is what we should be doing," he said.
In reference to a last minute U-turn by footballing authorities to ban the sale of alcohol inside stadiums, Mr Infantino said it was a joint decision between Fifa and the Qatari government.
“Honestly, if this is the biggest [concern] we have for the World Cup I will sign immediately. Let me assure you that every decision that is taken at this World Cup is a joint decision," he said.
“It is discussed, debated and taken jointly. There will be many fan zones. Eight to 10. Over 200 places you can drink alcohol.
"I think personally for three hours a day if you cannot drink, you will survive. The same rules are in France, Spain and Scotland, where no beer is allowed in stadiums.”
The tournament in Qatar has been 12 years in the making, with critics focusing on how the country was preparing for the tournament.
The games begin on Sunday evening when the hosts take on Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium. Qatar will go on to play Senegal and the Netherlands.
While Qatar regularly participates in the continental AFC Asian Cup, the national team has stumbled at the final stage of World Cup qualifying campaigns.
As the host nation, Qatar automatically qualified and is the first Arab nation to host the tournament.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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