Gareth Southgate suggests England will ignore plea to avoid human-rights discussions
World champions France have suffered a blow with the news Christopher Nkunku will miss the World Cup through injury after limping out of training.
Didier Deschamps’ side have already been stung by injuries, including N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Presnel Kimpembe, and the Leipzig star is the latest talent to pull out of the showpiece event.
England meanwhile have touched down in Qatar, with Gareth Southgate getting his first look at his squad in training on Wednesday with injury concern over James Maddison, who was substituted for Leicester at the weekend. Each team has now finalised their squads for Qatar 2022 after Ghana, Mexico, Tunisia and Ecuador’s announcements on Monday.
Other injuries to follow closely include Sadio Mane, with Senegal desperate for the Bayern Munich star to be cleared. Follow all the latest news and squad announcements from the 32 teams below
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Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the World Cup stars with one last shot at glory
First there was the Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. Then, after a long wait, Lothar Matthaus joined him in an exclusive club. A second Mexican, Rafael Marquez, became a third member. There is a case for saying Gianluigi Buffon had beaten him to that, though an unused squad member in 1998 only actually took the field in four World Cups.
But, after only three footballers played in five World Cups in the tournament’s first 90 years, there could be three in three days. One is Andres Guardado, a reminder never to underestimate Mexico’s capacity to take hardy perennials to multiple World Cups. And, with a certain inevitability, the other two, forever twinned in the imagination, invariably pitted against each other in this team sport’s most enduring individual rivalry, are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Each first played and first scored in the 2006 World Cup. And while it is not beyond the realms of possibility – each has made a career of being the exception to the norm – that they could be back in 2026, Messi has said that this will “surely” be his final World Cup. He has rescinded his international retirement in the past, whereas the probability is that Ronaldo will have to be dragged screaming from the stage, perhaps complaining to Piers Morgan that he has been betrayed. He has voiced an ambition to play at Euro 2024 but even he may deem the next World Cup, when he will be 41, a tournament too far.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:59
World Cup 2022 fixtures: From the opening game to the final
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins on 20 November as 32 teams aim to reach the final and become world champions on 18 December.
The tournament will be the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to take place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 onwards in order to feature 48 nations.
Reigning champions France will be among the favourites, though no team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, alongside fellow European sides England, Spain, and Belgium. Brazil and Argentina will also likely feature in the knockout stages, while Senegal could represent Africa’s biggest hopes of winning for the first time.
England will meet play-off winners Wales in Group B with USA and Iran. Spain and Germany have been drawn in a tough-looking Group E with Japan and Costa Rica, while Portugal meet Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in a well-balanced Group H.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:51
Nick Pope: I never thought I was good enough to dream of World Cup
Nick Pope admits he did not dream of going to a World Cup as a child because he never believed he was good enough.
Now he is heading for the second of his career in the form of his life and hoping to play a part in ending England’s quest for another major honour.
The 30-year-old Newcastle United goalkeeper travelled to Russia four years ago as Gareth Southgate’s number three, but while Jordan Pickford seemingly remains the man in possession, Pope’s contribution to his club’s unlikely surge into the Premier League’s upper reaches has simply enhanced his reputation.
It is a scenario he did not envisage as a youngster taking his first steps in the game.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:45
England warned against underestimating Iran in World Cup opener
England cannot afford to underestimate Iran when they bid to get their World Cup campaign up and running in Qatar, according to former defender Paul Parker.
Gareth Southgate’s men open the Group B schedule at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan on November 21 and then play the United States before meeting Wales.
The build-up to a first winter World Cup has lacked the usual frenzy which precedes a summer showpiece tournament and England arrive in Qatar without a win in six matches following relegation from the top tier of the Nations League.
Nevertheless, there will be an expectation England should still have enough to see off the challenge of Iran, who are 20th in the Fifa rankings.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:43
England greeted by excited fans on arrival at World Cup in Qatar
Having finished runners-up at last summer’s European Championship on the back of reaching the semi-finals in Russia four years ago, the Three Lions are among the favourites to triumph in the Middle East.
Southgate’s 26-man squad linked up at St George’s Park on Monday fresh from the Premier League pausing and followed a whirlwind day of duties by jetting off to Qatar on Tuesday.
England flew on a plane called ‘Rain Bow’ – noteworthy given the host country’s oppressive laws and treatment of LGBTQ+ people – and touched down in Doha at around 8pm local time.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:35
Darts tournament helping England relax at ‘absolutely brilliant’ Qatar training base
England’s first training session in Qatar took place against the backdrop of a setting sun as the local call to prayer brought an end to the section open to the media.
All of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad took to the training pitch at the Al Wakrah Sports Complex to the south of Doha, a finely-manicured surface perfected by the Football Association’s own groundsman, who arrived in the country over the weekend to prepare.
Having been greeted by several hundred fans on their arrival at their nearby hotel base the previous night, England ran out in the 12,000-seater stadium which they hope will be their training location for the next few weeks.
Midfielder James Maddison described the temperatures as giving the day “a pre-season feel” but England get down to the serious business when they play their opening game against Iran on Monday.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:28
Prince William says he’ll support England and Wales after Michael Sheen criticism
During a recent visit to the Welsh Parliament, the Prince of Wales told Elin Jones, Llywydd of the Senedd that he will support “both” teams in Fifa 2022, which begins on 20 November.
“I’m telling everyone I’m supporting both, definitely. I can’t lose,” William said (via The Herald).
“I’ve supported England since I’ve been quite small, but I support Welsh rugby and that’s my kind of way of doing it. I happily support Wales over England in the rugby.”
William’s remarks come shortly after Michael Sheen criticised him for handing out shirts to the Three Lions during a surprise visit.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:21
Callum Wilson ‘over the moon’ about England recall for World Cup
Wilson has hit six goals in 11 Premier League starts for Newcastle this season, with Eddie Howe’s Magpies sitting third in the table heading into the break for the first winter World Cup.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:13
Ronaldo not training with Portgual
After a headline making week thanks to his combative interview with Piers Morgan – which is yet to air by the way – Cristiano Ronaldo will sit out today’s training session for Portugal as he deals with a reported stomach bug.
Michael Jones16 November 2022 17:05
World Cup stadiums: The eight venues hosting games in Qatar
The World Cup in Qatar is upon us and runs from November 20 to December 18.
Eight stadiums in the Gulf state will host 64 matches at the World Cup and the unique nature of the tournament, which is largely being held in and around the capital city of Doha, allows fans to attend more than one game a day – with the venues no more than an hour’s drive from each other.
Here’s all the info you need about the eight host grounds:
Michael Jones16 November 2022 16:58