world cup
Taiwan thanks Qatar for removing China reference from 2022 World Cup ID system
- Taiwan thanked organizers of the World Cup in Qatar for modifying the identification system by removing the reference to China for Taiwanese attendees.
- Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry had previously condemned organizers for not including a Taiwan nationality option.
- The island’s demands appear to have been heard, however, because as of late Wednesday, World Cup ticket holders could register under “Taiwan,” complete with the Taiwanese flag.
- In a statement of appreciation for the quick modification, Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou told reporters this was a “positive development,” and added, “We express our thanks and affirmation for this goodwill.”
- In contrast, Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated that “Taiwan is part of China,” adding that the “one China” policy was a “basic norm.”
Taiwan thanked organizers of the World Cup in Qatar for modifying the identification system by removing the reference to China for Taiwanese attendees.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry had previously condemned organizers for not including a Taiwan nationality option in their Hayya identification system, which also doubles as an entry visa for those attending the World Cup.
‘Unacceptable’: Taiwan condemns Qatar for listing Taiwanese fans as Chinese at 2022 World Cup
- Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized organizers of the World Cup in Qatar in response to Taiwanese fans being listed as Chinese in the identification system.
- On Tuesday, Taiwanese fans entering their nationalities for the identification card that would serve as their entry visa for the World Cup in Qatar found that there was no listing for Taiwan available in the drop down menu.
- The following day, “Taiwan, Province of China” was added to the online system along with the Taiwanese flag.
- In response, Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Joanne Ou stated that it was “unacceptable to belittle our country” and demanded that the organizers make an “immediate correction of their ways.”
- In order to avoid political concerns that may arise, Taiwan is usually referred to as “Chinese Taipei” at most international sporting events, including the Olympics.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry criticized organizers of the World Cup in Qatar in response to Taiwanese fans being listed as Chinese in the identification system.
On Tuesday, Taiwanese fans entering their nationalities for the Hayya identification card that would serve as their entry visa for the World Cup in Qatar found that there was no listing for Taiwan available in the drop-down menu.
Ukraine’s men’s basketball team hopes possible Taiwan visit will provide mental refresh
- Ukrainian men's basketball team manager Andrii Lebediev said at a press conference on Saturday he hopes the team’s time in Taiwan will help them refresh their minds amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, if confirmed.
- Lebediev, two other national team staff members and a family member arrived in Taiwan on April 5 on a business visa after being invited by the Kaohsiung Steelers, a team under Taiwan’s professional basketball league P. League+.
- The purpose of the visit, which was welcomed by P. League+ founder and CEO Blackie Chen, was to provide opportunities for professional exchange on management and training.
- Ukraine’s national basketball team was competing in the FIBA World Cup European qualifiers in Spain on February 24, right around the time when Russia began its invasion of the Eastern European country.
Ukraine’s national men’s basketball team hopes their trip to Taiwan, if confirmed, will give their players peace of mind while they prepare for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European qualifier next month.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, team manager Andrii Lebediev said he hopes the new training environment will help the team refresh their minds amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Fencer Edgar Cheung becomes Hong Kong’s first athlete to rank No. 1 in the world in men’s foil
- The International Fencing Federation (IFF) released its world rankings on Saturday, putting Hong Kongese fencer Cheung Ka Long, also known as Edgar, at No. 1 in men’s foil.
- It is the first time a Hong Kongese fencer has reached the ranking, which was held by Italy’s Alessio Foconi for the past four years.
- Cheung cemented his status as one of the world’s greatest fencers when he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in the individual men’s foil in 2021.
- Along with Cheung, eight other Asian and Asian American fencers made top three in the world in their respective categories.
- Cheung has garnered widespread attention, appearing as the face of several high-end brands such as Dior and Nike.
Hong Kongese fencer Cheung Ka Long, also known as Edgar, became the country’s first athlete to rank No. 1 in the world in men’s foil.
The International Fencing Federation (IFF) released the rankings on Saturday, moving Cheung, 24, to the No. 1 spot previously held by Italy’s Alessio Foconi for the past four years.
Making history: Philippine women’s national football team qualifies for country’s first FIFA World Cup
- Malditas, the Philippine women’s national football team, recently made history by earning a victory ticket to their nation’s first World Cup.
- The team will advance to the semis of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup and make their way to Australia to compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
The Philippine women’s national football team, known as the Malditas, made history by securing a ticket to the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup game.
The Malditas defeated the higher-ranking Chinese Taipei team by a 4-3 penalty shootout in Pune, India, on Jan. 30, reported ABS-CBN News.
China Allegedly Forces Teen Out of Youth World Cup Because He’s Half Tibetan
The mother of a 14-year-old Kiwi-born footballer has alleged that her son, who was initially selected to play in the prestigious Gothia Cup soccer tournament in China, was dropped from his team because his father is Tibetan.
Known as FIFA’s “World Youth Cup,” the Gothia Cup is an eight-day tournament to be held in Chengyang district in Qingdao, China. Over a million players from 143 countries have participated in the tournament since it began in 1975.
Korean World Cup Reporter Kissed by Russian Women on Live TV Sparks Sexual Harassment Debate
A South Korean male reporter forcibly kissed by two Russian female fans while broadcasting at the World Cup late last month has triggered a sexual harassment debate on Chinese social media.
Jeon Gwang-ryeol was reporting for South Korean TV channel MBN on June 28 when one Russian female fan suddenly appeared onscreen and kissed him on the cheek.
Japan Lost in the World Cup, But The Fans and the Team Still Left in the Classiest Way Possible
Japan’s soccer team and its fans maintained their admired reputation at the World Cup up until the bittersweet end.
After starting the game strong with an early 2-0 lead, Japan suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat against Belgium which made a rousing comeback before the game’s final whistle.
Colombian Man Makes Japanese People Humiliate Themselves After Colombia’s World Cup Loss
A Colombian soccer fan recently subjected Japanese fans to public humiliation right after the Japanese soccer team defeated the Colombian club 2–1 in their World Cup match last Tuesday.
The man, identified as 40-year-old Guillermo Morales, apparently deceived some fans to look stupid on camera, including one woman to say “I’m a whore” in Spanish.
Celebrity Chef Suspended For Doing Racist ‘Slant Eyes’ After South Korea’s World Cup Win
Telemundo celebrity chef James Tahhan has drawn ire after making the racist “slant eye” gesture while celebrating Mexico’s entry into the World Cup’s Round of 16 thanks to South Korea’s victory over Germany.
The Venezuelan chef was seen making the gesture on the morning show “Un Nuevo Dia,” which he co-hosted.
Mexicans Everywhere are Celebrating Koreans for Beating Germany in the World Cup
Fans of the Mexican national football team are celebrating Koreans after the latter sent Germany home in a 2-0 match on Wednesday.
Germany, champions of the previous World Cup, will not advance to the knockout round for the first time ever.
Japanese Soccer Fans Have Inspired Other World Cup Fans to Clean Up After Matches
Japanese soccer fans may have started a positive tradition at the World Cup games after viral images showed them cleaning their section of the stadium after their team’s matches.
The act, which has since gained the world’s respect and admiration after going viral online, has inspired fans of other teams to do the same.
