ENGLAND have touched down in Qatar preparing to start their World Cup journey, hoping to end 56 years of pain.
Prince William paid the stars a brief visit prior to wish them good luck ahead of the huge tournament and gifted each player their own personalised package.
England are scheduled to play Iran in their opening fixture on Monday, November 21.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the training pitch for the first time since his interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo, 37, could win international cap 192 when Portugal face Nigeria on Thursday.
And France have confirmed that Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out of the World Cup following Eduardo Camavinga’s reckless tackle in training.
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead of the tournament…
EXCLUSIVE: Young reflects on 2018 heartache
Ashley Young admits it still “kills” him discussing Croatia’s comeback win in Russia four years ago.
He said: “I cannot watch it. We should have won it. We should have got to the final.
“Even now, it kills me trying to talk about it. I don’t like hearing about the game, either.
“I know how good an opportunity we had as a group. We were naive in the second half.”
This time lads, this time.
EXCLUSIVE: Maguire booing is ‘borderline bullying’, says Young
Ashley Young, who has 39 caps, has also backed under-fire former United team-mate Maguire to star despite his torrid time at Old Trafford.
He said: “You are going to be criticised because you are captain at one of the biggest clubs in the world. But the criticism he is getting has gone too far.
“He can play well for England and gets booed. He can play well for United and he gets booed. It is borderline bullying.
“But he is a strong character and can deal with it.”
EXCLUSIVE: Southgate has changed culture, says Young
Gareth Southgate has changed what it means to play for England, says Ashley Young.
He added: “The criticism Gareth Southgate is getting is absolutely ridiculous. It is bulls**t.
“Because he has not taken a team into the latest final of the Nations League, people think that he should be criticised.
“Of course, going into a tournament you want to be winning games. But Gareth has totally changed what it is like to be with England.
“In previous years, under other managers when I was there, players were pulling out because they did not enjoy it.
“They were not injured. Gareth has managed to get the nation together.”
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Special’ England team can win it all, says Young
Ashley Young is convinced England can win the World Cup — and has urged the country to get behind manager Gareth Southgate and the players.
The Aston Villa veteran, included in the provisional 55-man squad for Qatar, has told the nation’s fans to prepare for an incredibly successful tournament run, which starts with Monday’s opener against Iran.
Young, 37, told SunSport: “There is something special coming from this England team. The country has to get behind them.
“Get behind every single player. Don’t single them out. Get behind all of them to go out and win this tournament.
“From the time Gareth has taken over, he has made a difference. These players will be more than ready.
“With the way the Euros went, I give us every chance of going to the tournament and winning it.”
BREAKING: Nkunku to miss World Cup
Christopher Nkunku’s World Cup hopes are reportedly over after he sustained an injury in France training.
The RB Leipzig star limped out of Les Bleus’ session at their Clairefontaine base after being on the end of a late challenge.
Training footage obtained by French outlet RMC Sport appears to show Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga inadvertently catching Nkunku late in a 50-50 tackle.
The attacker immediately shows his discomfort, sitting on the ground and shaking his hand at the pain.
Nkunku appeared to be caught on the ankle – putting his hopes of playing in Qatar in jeopardy.
Fabrizio Romano then tweeted: “Christopher Nkunku will miss the World Cup due to injury in today’s training session.”
Football crazy
Paul has travelled tens of thousands of miles to tournaments including Italia 90, France 98, and Brazil 2014.
He jetted to USA 1994 despite England not even qualifying – and travelled to Japan and South Korea in 2002 by bus, train and boat.
The 7,000 mile journey – via Iran, Pakistan and China – took two months and raised £5,000 for charity.
Paul the other one
A footie-mad dad is set to share a world record – by attending TEN World Cups in a row.
West Brom fan Paul Dubberley, 63, first watched England crash out to Maradona’s Hand of God in Mexico.
When he lands in Qatar this month he will have visited every tournament since 1986 – across all corners of the globe.
And he will match the Guinness World Record for the number of consecutive contests – set by a Venezuelan businessman at Russia 2018.
England’s fixtures
A reminder of England’s World Cup fixtures over the next couple of weeks.
Southgate’s Three Lions will look to finish top of the group and start with a healthy win on Monday against Iran.
You can’t do that Bud!
Budweiser has been told to hide its beer stalls at World Cup stadiums after Qatar’s royal family wanted alcohol to be less visible.
The Muslim-majority nation agreed to sponsorship from Budweiser when it launched its bid for the World Cup, which kicks off on Sunday.
Alcohol is allowed in hotel bars, restaurants and other places that are away from public view but these restrictions have been relaxed for tournament.
The installation of beer stations outside eight stadiums has been underway for most of the last month.
But late last week a senior Qatari royal asked for the beer concessions to be moved to less visible sites, the New York Times reports.
More on World Cup boozing
Those who want the alcohol-free version of the beer will have to splash out £6.91, with water at £2.30.
World Cup chiefs have wrestled with the demands from Fifa for drink to be available for fans with the customs of the Gulf State and the desire for supporters to stay under control and not booze to excess.
Budweiser stated that fans will be limited to a “maximum purchase of four Budweiser units per person.”
This is to prevent binge-buying and anyone must prove they are over 21 to be able to buy alcohol.
How much?
England World Cup fans must cough up nearly £12 for LESS than a pint as pre-tournament promises proved a Doha desert mirage.
Qatar 2022 organisers had indicated that the country’s strict drink laws and sky-high prices would be relaxed for fans coming from across the world.
While hotel bars were expected to be expensive, suggested prices for beer in the fan zones and at stadiums had been in the range of £7-£8 per pint.
But now official beer suppliers Budweiser – the only company allowed to sell alcohol in any official site at the World Cup – have unveiled the shock booze news.
In an advertising flyer posted by the American brewing giant, the price list makes clever that hopes of normal-priced beer for travelling fans have disappeared.
Urging fans to “Drink Wiser, Cheer Better, Hydrate Between Buds”, a half-litre of Budweiser – equal to seven eighths of a pint – will cost 50 Qatari Rials, or £11.61 at today’s exchange rate.
Saka’s smooth response
Arsenal fans were left beaming after Bukayo Saka gave a confident response to Man City star Kyle Walker over this season’s title race.
England stars have now headed to Qatar for the winter World Cup.
It saw Arsenal and Man City stars collide for the first time since September’s international break.
And Etihad icon Walker couldn’t resist asking Gunners favourite Saka a cheeky question as they greeted each other.
Walker asked: “When are you guys going to stop winning?”
But Saka was cool as a cucumber as he instantly replied: “Don’t worry about that bro!”
Three Lions jet makes a statement
England flew on a Gay Pride jet — to show a red card to host nation Qatar’s intolerance.
Boss Gareth Southgate and skipper Harry Kane led the 26-strong squad on board “Rain Bow”, a Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus.
It features a motif of Oscar — the airline’s LGBTQ+ Union Jack-trailing flying icon — beneath the cabin.
The gesture was proposed by FA chiefs keen to register concern about gay rights in the strict Muslim state where homosexuality can still carry the death penalty.
Southgate has vowed to make a stand.
He said: “We’re very strong on inclusivity. We understand the challenges that this tournament brings . . . the human rights challenges.”
More on England flight
The Three Lions flight, scheduled for 10am, eventually departed Birmingham Airport at 10:41 this morning – landing in Qatar at 4:57pm UK time
England are set to get their tournament underway against Iran next Monday.
They will then face the USA on Friday, 25 November – before completing Group B with a home nations clash against Wales on Tuesday, 29 November.
England are staying at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel in Qatar, with the Three Lions having booked all 101 rooms.
Today’s journey
Some England stars were in Premier League action as recently as Sunday, before linking up at the national training base at St George’s Park yesterday.
Earlier today Southgate and Co were given an incredible send-off as they departed St George’s Park.
The England manager was greeted by a sea of screaming kids waving flags and cheering him on.
Many reached out to Southgate and he began high-fiving the children, leaving them ecstatic by doing so.
With the crowd stretched out so far he had to wave to the others before boarding the coach to the airport.
BREAKING: Three Lions arrive in Qatar
Skipper Harry Kane led England stars off the plane as the Three Lions arrived in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s men have touched down in the Middle East tasked with ending 56 years of hurt – having come so close to winning Euro 2020 last year.
Prince of the pack
The Prince, who is the President of the FA, also shared a message with the Three Lions squad.
He said: “What you and Gareth have built here is something special, that’s clear to see.
“Play for each other, support each other, enjoy it, and I’m sure you’ll go far.
“I’m really here to point out the rest of the country is behind you, we’re all rooting for you. Enjoy it.”
‘Pride in the shirt’
The boxes also contained a message from manager Gareth Southgate, which Maguire shared on social media.
It read: “Qatar 2022 will only be the 16th time England have appeared at a World Cup.
“As we represent over 55 million people, of all ages from every community, you will also remember everyone who has helped you reach this point.
“Wear your shirt with pride and embrace the opportunity to make history.”
Kane also shared a photo on Instagram of the moment he received his package from Prince William, which he captioned: “Pride in the shirt 🦁🦁🦁.”
Prince William showers England squad with personal gifts
Prince William presented every England player with their own personalised package before the World Cup.
The Prince of Wales met the squad on Monday before they flew out to Qatar today.
He spoke to the whole group and was seen laughing with Harry Kane, Jack Grealish and Kieran Trippier after handing out his gifts.
Each member of the squad was presented with their shirt number and the history behind it.
The box told the stars how many England players have worn their number before and at which World Cup.
‘Truly an honour’ to play for England, says Wilson
England hot shot Callum Wilson claimed he knew in 2017, that he’d return to Qatar as part of his nation’s World Cup squad.
He said: “Back in 2017 I was in Qatar doing rehab work on my ACL injury when I said to myself ‘I’ll be back here in 2022 to play in the World Cup’.
“So to now be on the verge of flying to Qatar with England for the tournament is truly an honour and I’m determined to grasp this opportunity with both hands.
“I 100 per cent believed what I was saying at that time. Anyone that knows will know exactly what I was doing when I said that to myself back in 2017.
“I set my mind to a target I wanted to achieve and whilst it has been a long and whirlwind five years, it’s one that I’ve enjoyed and has gotten me to the point where my hard work can continue on the World Cup stage.”
Will ‘Super Jacky Grealish’ be a No1 hit?
All profits from the album will help fund Stonewall’s work to combat LGBTQ+ oppression in Qatar and across the world.
Other noteworthy tracks on the album include England favourites ‘Super Jacky Grealish’ and ‘England till I Die’ as well as a World Cup take on ’12 Days of Christmas’.
The new rendition cheers on the squad, name-checking Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
The album of World Cup terrace anthems has been available to stream on Spotify and to buy on iTunes since Tuesday, November 15.
Credit: Getty
What is on Crouchy World Cup CD?
Eight-track charity album ‘Crouchy Conducts The Classics’ also features orchestral versions of ‘Who Ate All The Pies’ and ‘We Love You England’.
Ex-Tottenham and Liverpool striker Crouch makes his conductorial debut in the concept album which has been created in partnership with bookmaker Paddy Power, who have launched a record label to support the new release.
The Stoke legend, 41, leads a 20-piece orchestra through a canon of terrace anthems, supported by a full gospel and chamber choir and three world class operatic soloists, including Potts, who mesmerises with his stirring rendition of ‘You’re Not Singing Anymore’.
Crouch said: “I’ve always dreamed of releasing my own album – so what better time than during a World Cup at Christmas?”
Crouchy’s Christmas album
Former England hero Peter Crouch has released a Christmas album with opera star Paul Potts – mashing football terrace chants with classical music.
The unlikely collaboration in time for the World Cup sees the duo deliver a unique twist on popular fan songs such as ‘Enger-land, Enger-land Enger-land’ and ‘V.A.R My Lord. V.A.R’.
Back to business for Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the training pitch for the first time since his interview with Piers Morgan as he linked up with his Portugal teammates.
The 37-year-old missed Manchester United’s last two games through illness, but he was back on the grass today.
Ronaldo could win international cap 192 when Portugal face Nigeria on Thursday.
Credit: Getty Mane injury update
Senegal have confirmed that Sadio Mane will miss the “first games” of the World Cup.
The Bayern Munich star suffered a leg injury last week and looked set to miss the tournament.
But Mane was named in the squad by Aliou Cisse and will now be hoping to play some part, although he will sit out the games with Holland and Qatar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
