Author: Steven Sahiounie

Group A in the 2022 World Cup will be intriguing, as hosts Qatar are joined by African champs Senegal, plus the Netherlands and Ecuador. [ MORE: Full schedule for 2022 World Cup ] This really is a wide-open group but the host nation got off to a terrible start as they were outclassed by Ecuador and Qatar are now out are losing to Senegal too. There’s no doubting that the Netherlands and Senegal are the favorites to advance as Virgil van Dijk will lead the Dutch as they look to make up for missing the 2018 tournament, but Senegal are missing main man…

With England, the USMNT, Wales and Iran placed together in Group B, this is an absolutely blockbuster group brimming with narratives. Can the Three Lions take care of business with minimum fuss? Or will the USMNT, Wales and Iran cause upsets as their solid units all have talented attackers who can win a game in just one moment? [ MORE: World Cup 2022 schedule, scores, hub ] From Harry Kane leading England to Gareth Bale leading Wales’ charge to Christian Pulisic primed to push the USMNT towards the knockout rounds and Iran’s hopes pinned on prolific forward duo Azmoun and Taremi, this…

With Argentina, Mexico, Poland and Saudi Arabia put together in World Cup 2022 Group C, this is an intriguing group of teams with very different styles of play. And the intrigue’s only increased with Saudi Arabia’s upset of Argentina. While Mexico and Poland battled to a 0-0 draw. [ LIVE: Watch World Cup en Espanol en Peacock ] Can Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste get into the knockout rounds? Will Mexico and Poland push them all the way? As for Saudi Arabia, they eased through qualifying and have already delivered a shock at this World Cup? Almost everybody would’ve expected Argentina will advance from…

World Cup 2022 Group D looked pretty straightforward on paper, as France, Denmark, Australia and Tunisia collide. That said, both Australia and Tunisia have the ability to be very tough opponents for the European powers and have proven tricky tests for their European foes. [ LIVE: World Cup 2022 schedule, how to watch, scores, hub ] France and Denmark were expected to glide through to the last 16 (France made light work of Australia in their opening game) as the reigning champions have Kylian Mbappe leading the way as injuries have impacted their attacking unit. As for Denmark, they showed their quality…

Japan and Spain sent early messages in Group E with an upset of Germany and demolition of Costa Rica, respectively, to start the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. [ LIVE: Watch World Cup en Espanol en Peacock ] Japan reached the Round of 16 at the last World Cup and gave Belgium everything it could handle before bowing out 3-2, while Costa Rica surprised everyone in 2014 when it emerged atop a Group D with England, Italy, and Uruguay, then beating Greece in the Round of 16. Of course, Spanish boss Luis Enrique and Germany’s Hansi Flick will be fancying themselves the…

Belgium, Canada, Croatia, and Morocco comprise a World Cup group that could produce any combination of knockout rounds entrants, even if there’s a sincere favorite. Even after laboring to beat electric Canada in the opener, Roberto Martinez’s loaded Belgium will be widely-ticketed to emerge out of World Cup 2022’s Group F. Kevin De Bruyne is capable of putting a Ballon d’Or on his mantle with a strong individual and team performance for the men’s team ranked No. 2 in the world by FIFA, but the World Cup Group F schedule is tough. [ MORE: Full schedule for 2022 World Cup ] Croatia…

World No. 1 Brazil was not given an easy ride to the knockout rounds with a tough draw in World Cup 2022 Group G this November.Tite’s imperious Brazilians will be tested by savvy Switzerland, fierce Serbia, and a Cameroon side capable of anything on its day.[ MORE: Full schedule for 2022 World Cup ]The group will feature classic midfield battles as Granit Xhaka, Casemiro, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa will patrol that part of the pitch.Who will claim the second spot in the group if Brazil does as expected and wins the group? Switzerland will be feeling very good…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Kurds in northeastern Syria have established their semi-autonomous administration which they call “Rojava”. They are now under threat of an increased invasion and occupation by Turkish ground troops, which could end in ethnic cleansing and mass casualties. Turkish President Erdogan has demanded for years that the US must stop supporting the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF) and their armed wing the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) which serve as the army of “Rojava”. Although Turkey and the US are partners in NATO, and long-term allies, with a US military base in Turkey, the two sides…

Dad used to criticise us children when we said we “loved” certain foods, as it sounded discordant to his Italian ears. Love was reserved for people. But it is with actual love that my father tends to some 100 Tuscan olive trees and makes the olive oil our whole family eats all year. He also delivers three special bottles of olive oil to our house for the kids with printed labels that say something like: “This bottle of olive oil is made for the sole enjoyment of my grandchild…” Elsa says it just clicks (her words) with everything. Even food she doesn’t…

I’ve been really enjoying Chococo’s Festive Collection, £12.50 for a box of nine filled chocolates (other sizes available) with centres such as Spiced Rum (so good: raisins marinated in Two Drifters rum), Gingerbread Caramel, Tawny Port and Fig (it’s all in the name). This is a great, seasonally named, box to give to someone you really like, but also a fantastic passive- aggressive present for someone who likes to squirrel away gifts and re-purpose them – because unless they act fast, they can’t! While you’re there, Chococo also does a very nice oat ‘milk’ Christmas Bauble filled with honeycomb chocolates, £13.50, and all…