What’s Happening At The World Cup?

Australia's triumph and tons of controversy.

Every four years, 32 countries gather in a single host nation for the FIFA World Cup, to decide who is the greatest at soccer (or football, if you prefer).

It’s the single largest sporting event in the world, even bigger than the Olympics, and the 2022 World Cup has been like no other.

From the get go, the Qatar World Cup has been filled with controversy and triumph alike – it’s been pretty hard to keep up with it all.

So, we thought we’d pull everything together so you can head into Australia’s Thursday morning match a genius.

We've already had HALF of the games at #Qatar2022 🤯 

What was your favourite moment from matchweek two?

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 28, 2022

How does the World Cup work?

Before the tournament begins, countries across the globe play in qualifying matches in regional zones (i.e., Australia in Asia) in the hopes of making it to the World Cup.

From those qualifying matches, the top 32 teams across the globe are sorted into eight groups of four countries each.

In the first stage of the World Cup, those eight groups play in a round-robin style tournament, everyone playing each other once.

From there, the top two teams from each group move to the Round of 16, in which the winner of each group plays the runner-up of another. The winners then advance to the quarterfinals, then the semi-finals, before the final two teams face off in the final for the coveted World Cup trophy.

Australia’s made it past the first round (the group stage) just once, back in 2006 – but there’s a chance we could do it again this year.

How are Australia doing?

In case you were wondering what the cheers across the country were about on Saturday night – Australia won a game. That might not sound like a lot, but it’s pretty huge.

Australia has only ever won two world cup matches before this, and the last was 12 years ago, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Australia beat Tunisia 1-0 in stunning fashion on Saturday night, including a huge goal off Mitchell Duke’s head to put Australia in front.

Australia get their first World Cup win since beating Serbia in 2010.🇦🇺

Mitchell Duke scored the winner. He and his son then did the same celebration.🥺 pic.twitter.com/u7eA1twfB8

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 26, 2022

Australia is the lowest-ranked nation in group D, which also includes Denmark, Tunisia, and the reigning World Cup champions, France.

After going down 4-1 to France last week, people weren’t too optimistic about the Socceroos, but this win has given everyone hope.

Australia are now heading into their final match against Denmark Thursday morning (unfortunately at 2am Eastern time) with high hopes. All Australia need to do is beat or draw Denmark to advance to the next stage, and people are pumped.

Australia v Denmark on Wednesday. I've been waiting a long time for this.

— Shane Anderson (@Globalgallop) November 26, 2022

 Denmark are still the favourite for Thursday’s game, but if Australia can pull off a miracle, it’ll truly make Australian sporting history.

What else has been going on?

In one word – controversy. Since Qatar won the right to host way back in 2010, there have been significant criticisms over FIFA’s decision.

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association – the international governing body of Football) has long been subject to allegations of corruption and bribery, and the decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has only furthered these claims.

Why is football ran by idiots ? I can't bring myself to watch this world cup. It is the most blatant example of corruption in sport we have ever seen and action on the pitch can not detract from that reality. FIFA is not fit for purpose and hasn't been for years.

— John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) November 22, 2022

Qatar had never previously qualified for a World Cup, and as one of the hottest nations in the Middle East, it’s not exactly set up for a winter sport.

As a result, Qatar has spent a whopping US$229 billion on hosting the World Cup. Russia, the previous hosts, spent US$16 billion.

What’s more, Qatar also has history of human rights abuses, and it’s been reported that since 2010, more than 6,500 migrant workers from South Asian nations have died, many while building World Cup stadiums.

"The World Cup shouldn't be here, you've got a country and the way they treat migrant workers, gay people. We're on about spreading the game but dismissing human rights, it's not right. It shouldn't be here."

Powerful words from Roy Keane about the World Cup in Qatar pic.twitter.com/lAUbItPC0Z

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 22, 2022

Qatar is also accused of intense homophobia and transphobia – homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, punishable with seven years in prison.

Teams like England, America and Australia have spoken out against Qatar’s LGBT rights abuses – Australia released a video before the tournament began calling out Qatar.

England was actually prevented from wearing rainbow armbands in their first match against Iran – in response, they’ve started games by taking a knee.

Just last night, a protestor ran onto the field, wearing a shirt labelled “save Ukraine” and brandishing a Pride flag during the Portugal v Uruguay match. The fan was caught by security and was escorted off the field, and it’s unclear what has happened to him since.

A man ran into the field during World Cup match in Qatar waving a pride flag and wearing a ‘Save Ukraine’ and ‘Respect for Iranian Woman’ shirt. pic.twitter.com/lUqrEuCJ9N

— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 28, 2022

There’s been countless controversies in this world cup, ranging from the climate impact, the cost, Qatar’s conservative views on things like alcohol and romantic relationships, corruption, bribery, modern day slavery and so much more.

It leaves a bit of a sour taste in fans’ mouths as they watch the world cup, the world’s favourite competition, and it seems that FIFA is in some real hot water.