Many Israeli fans marvel over the intriguing novelty of being in a country that has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Security-minded citizens remark how safe they feel. Despite this, Israelis have been accosted.
Brutal regimes have often seen the tournament as a means to gain international legitimacy and recognition.
The "Palestine in the World Cup" campaign has been launched • It will include giving out Palestinian shirts and flags in stadiums, the deployment of "Palestinian ambassadors" in the stands.
The Qataris have succeeded on at least one score – many regional leaders came specially to take part and get a closer look at the event.
Our correspondent went to see how Iranians who oppose their regime, still root for their homeland.
Facing potential sanctions, World Cup armband protest comes to an abrupt end in Qatar.
This World Cup will not only bring to the pitch the technical skills of its most talented players, but could also serve as the best seismograph for monitoring those processes and undercurrents currently affecting the world as a whole, and Europe in particular.
At least 10,000 Israelis are expected at the month-long matches, most of them coming through third countries. Those boarding the TUS Airways plane at Ben-Gurion Airport had originally been told they would have a brief stopover in Cyprus.
The Serbian master was competing in his first singles competition since winning his seventh Wimbledon title in July.
"Sometimes we don't know why certain things happen, perhaps it's a matter of someone blessing us or maybe it's just fate?," Yarden Gerbi writes in post alongside picture of the couple.