ENGLAND’s squad numbers have been ANNOUNCED for the World Cup – with Marcus Rashford taking the No 11.
While James Maddison has played down a minor injury scare to gather together with the squad.
England are gearing up to face Iran while Wales face USA in their first game.
Argentina have touched down in Qatar ahead of the tournament with Lionel Messi arriving to try and cement his place in sporting folklore by winning the sport’s biggest prize.
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead of the tournament…
World Cup squad numbers
21: BEN WHITE
22: JUDE BELLINGHAM
23: AARON RAMSDALE
24: CALLUM WILSON
25: JAMES MADDISON
26: CONOR GALLAGHER
World Cup squad numbers
11: MARCUS RASHORD
12: KIERAN TRIPPIER
13: NICK POPE
14: KALVIN PHILLIPS
15: ERIC DIER
16: CONOR COADY
17: BUKAYO SAKA
18: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
19: MASON MOUNT
20: PHIL FODEN
World Cup squad numbers
England manager Gareth Southgate has released his World Cup squad numbers – and they suggest Marcus Rashford could play a big role.
Here is England’s squad list for the World Cup in full:
1: JORDAN PICKFORD
2: KYLE WALKER
3: LUKE SHAW
4: DECLAN RICE
5: JOHN STONES
6: HARRY MAGUIRE
7: JACK GREALISH
8: JORDAN HENDERSON
9: HARRY KANE
10: RAHEEM STERLING
Lahm slams FIFA’s Qatar decision
World Cup winner and Germany legend Phillipp Lahm has slammed FIFA for allowing Qatar to host the World Cup.
He said: “FIFA has damaged football and it’s credibility as a western organisation.
“Football isn’t a popular sport in Qatar and there is practically no opportunity for girls to play”
Ronaldo blasts Glazers
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has slammed controversial US owners the Glazer family — saying: “They don’t care about the club”.
Ronaldo revealed he has never exchanged a single word with any of the family since his return to the club, despite being one of the world’s biggest football stars.
The star forward accused them of being more interested in United being a “marketing club” rather than a football club so they can pocket more cash.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told Piers Morgan he believes the Glazers “don’t care” about the club and only see it as a cash cow.
Ronaldo said: “The owners of the club they, listen they don’t . . .”
He added: “The Glazers, they don’t — they don’t care about, about the club. I mean, professional sport.
“As you know this, Manchester is a marketing club. They will get its money from the marketing, the sport, it’s . . . they don’t really care, in my opinion.”
Asked: “Do you ever talk to them, the Glazers?”, Ronaldo replied “Never. No. They give all the power to the president, sport director”
Ronaldo slams Neville
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has accused former team-mate Gary Neville of criticising him to get more fame — and declared the TV pundit is no friend of his.
Neville recently said after the Tottenham game that saw Ronaldo refusing to come on as a substitute: “We know him, we love him but he can’t accept not being the star man. He’s going to have to leave, that’s it.”
Ronaldo said: “To listen as ex-colleagues or team-mates criticise you, when they only see one point of view. It’s easy.
“It’s easy to criticise, I don’t know if you have a job in television that they must criticise to be more famous. I really don’t understand it.
“It’s hard when you see people who was in the dressing room with you criticising that way.”
When asked if Neville had used his name to get attention, Ronaldo responded: “I think they take advantage of that because they are not stupid.
“I’m the number one followed guy in the world. It’s not by coincidence”
Jesus’ Spurs snub
Arsenal star and Brazil international Gabriel Jesus didn’t mention rivals Tottenham among his team’s Premier League title threats this season.
Jesus said: “We cannot look to others.
“We know Man City , obviously I know them more than most of the people. But we have to do our job. We know the Premier League is not easy, it is the toughest league in the world.
“It is not only Man City – it is Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea. What can we do? Just focus on ourselves that is all”
More from Ronaldo
Manchester United superstar and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo claims the club’s hierarchy didn’t believe his newborn daughter was ill and that’s why he didn’t attend pre-season.
Ronaldo told piers Morgan: Uncensored: “The executives at Manchester United didn’t seem to 100% believe my newborn daughter was ill.
“It’s painful because they didn’t take my word for it.
“That’s why I didn’t attend the pre-season preparation camp. I had to be there for my family”
Ronaldo speaks out
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence following his explosive interview.
Ronaldo hit out at United for “betraying” him and making him feel like a “black sheep”, blamed for everything going wrong at Old Trafford.
The star forward has fled the drama by linking up with Portugal ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner shared a photo of himself alongside several of his international team-mates.
Ronaldo issued the following caption: “Total and absolute focus on the work of the National Team. A united group, towards a single objective: to fulfill the dream of all Portuguese people!”
Not done yet
Wales do not expect the 2022 World Cup to be a last hurrah for Los Angeles FC star Gareth Bale.
Manager Rob Page said: “He will carry on. I expect him to be there. I do.
“I will tell you why, irrespective of what is going on in his career, he is always there for Wales. Whether he is playing or not at club level he just loves playing for Wales.
“If we have two games back-to-back, I’ll say to him, ‘You’re not starting the second game, I’ll see how it goes and might need you late on’.
“But he will be the one going to me on the bench, ‘Get me on. I want minutes. I can affect the game.’ I am having to pull the reins on him. He just loves playing for Wales, especially in Cardiff”
Tears and jeers
Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli revealed how he sobbed at being called up for Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad.
Martinelli said: “I’m very happy, it’s one of the most important moments in my life and in my family’s life as well – I’m buzzing. I’m so excited to go there and be part of this team.
“I cried a lot, I couldn’t even talk and I was with my family and on the phone but I needed to turn the phone off and call them later because I couldn’t even talk.
“I think it will be good for my career and to play in the World Cup will be amazing. I’m so excited to go there and I’m prepared for the challenge and and I hope we will win it”
Lionel’s Mess-tiny against England
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi could face England in his 1,000th career match at the 2022 World Cup.
Messi will captain Argentina in Qatar and could reach the milestone should his side make it to the quarter-finals.
The Albiceleste will face Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in their group, which they are favourites to finish top.
However, if the Three Lions finish second in their group alongside the likes of USA, Iran and Wales, then there could be a potential meeting between the two sides.
The Copa America winners would have to win their group and beat the second-placed side from Group D, which will be one of Denmark, France, Australia and Tunisia.
While England would have to beat the top-placed side from Group A, which will be between the Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador or Qatar
Ron for us
SunSport columnist Piers Morgan wants Arsenal to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo after his explosive interview on Piers Morgan: Uncensored.
Morgan believes Ronaldo would lead the Gunners to the Premier League championship alongside Gabriel Jesus.
Asked on Twitter if he hoped the North Londoners would sign the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, the journalist responded: “Yes, actually.
“He’s exactly what we need. Ronaldo and Gabriel Jesus would take us to the title”
Benzema’s Ronaldo statement
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has revealed that he has not received a message from former team-mate and Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after winning the Ballon d’Or.
Benzema was asked if Ronaldo had contacted him after he won the award, and he said: “No, not yet.”
The Portugal captain has won the Ballon d’Or five times but was not in the running for it last year even though he was United’s top scorer last season.
France star Benzema is now looking forward to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is hopeful of helping his country lift the trophy, especially as the day after the final is his 35th birthday
Sporting favourites for Ronaldo
Sporting Lisbon are favourites to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo after his bombshell interview.
According to Betfair, Sporting are 3/1 favourites to bring Ronaldo back.
More below:
Sporting Lisbon: 3/1
Chelsea: 4/1
Any MLS Club: 6/1
PSG, Napoli: 12/1
Roma, Man City: 16/1
Atletico Madrid, Newcastle, Arsenal: 25/1
Real Madrid: 50/1
Eriksson’s Ronaldo advice
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has advised Manchester United to offload Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after his explosive interview.
Eriksson told Saxo: “The manager will try to put out the best eleven and make changes during the game in order to win as many games as possible for the club as big as Manchester United.
“If you don’t play well, if United lose too many games, who will get the blame? Ten Hag. You have to play the best players you think will win the game for you even if it means dropping a big name player like Ronaldo.
“We are talking about one of the best players in the world for many, many, years, scoring goals for fun. I think personally, it’s very important that you sell Ronaldo because he cannot stay.
“I don’t think he should stay at Manchester United if he doesn’t play. He’s too big of a name and it will always create these discussions”
Ronaldo bombshell interview recap
Manchester United superstar and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo says he feels betrayed at Old Trafford in an exclusive interview with The Sun columnist Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo made several explosive claims as his career at United looks all but over.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner feels blamed for everything that has gone wrong at the club, and believes he is now being actively forced out.
The star forward delivered a damning verdict on by claiming the club hasn’t moved on since the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The ex-Real madrid star added that he doesn’t respect manager Erik ten Hag because he fells the Dutch tactician doesn’t respect him either
Not Jav-ing that
Former Manchester United star Javier Hernandez has been left out of Mexico’s World Cup squad.
LA Galaxy star Hernandez is going strong at 34-years-old, currently playing in America, and is still one of the more high-profile names among the country’s footballers.
But Mexico manager Gerardo Martino has left the striker out of his squad – and even opted for Wolves’ Raul Jimenez, who has been out for much of the season due to injury.
The Mexicans’ tournament in Qatar kicks off in a little over a week as they look to get through a tricky group containing the likes of Poland and Argentina
Messi and Argentina arrive
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi and the rest of the Argentina squad have landed in Abu Dhabi ahead of the World Cup.
Messi and his team-mates arrived in the United Arab Emirates and will lead his side out for their first game in eight days.
The Albiceleste will play Saudi Arabia followed by Mexico and Poland in Qatar soon after.
The Copa America winners are among the favourites to win the competition
Kimpembe OUT of World Cup
Paris Saint-Germain and France star Presnel Kimpembe has been ruled out of the 2022 World Cup due to injury.
Kimpembe has played less than 90 minutes of football since mid September and has since withdrawn from the squad due to a lack of match fitness after consulting with the national team’s doctor.
The centre-back will be replaced by Monaco ace Axel Disasi ahead of the Qatar tournament.
The Frenchman was part of the squad that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia
Maddison issues injury boost
Leicester star James Maddison has confirmed his injury sustained at West Ham is just a “small problem” after making England’s World Cup squad.
Maddison gave the nation some good news when he took to Twitter after the game.
The midfielder confirmed that his injury is not “too bad” and is set to jet off for Qatar with the rest of Gareth Southgate’s players.
Maddison said: “Another win & another goal. Perfect way to finish before the break.
“Injury isn’t too bad! A small problem that was causing a bit of soreness. Can’t wait to meet up with the lads Monday”
Serbia boss makes hilarious Mitrovic claim
Fulham were without main man Alexander Mitrovic at the weekend as he missed out due to injury.
He is expected to lead the line for Serbia in Qatar but his injury has led to many Serbians worried about his fitness.
But manager Dragan Stojkovic has confirmed that Mitrovic is going to the tournament.
He comically said: “Mitrovic will go to the World Cup without a leg, we can also cut his head off – he will still go.”
USA show solidarity
USA’s badge at their training ground in Qatar has been redesigned with rainbow colours to show support for the LGBT community.
Homosexuality is illegal in Doha.
The Americans face Wales first before playing Iran and England.
Mexico release World Cup squad
Mexico have announced their squad for the World Cup.
They are in a group with Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Former Man Utd and West Ham striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez has not made the cut.
He scored 18 goals in the MLS season as LA Galaxy finished fourth in the Western Conference but it is not enough for the 34-year-old who burst onto the scene at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Raul Jimenez has been included despite struggling with injuries.
England stars meet before heading to Qatar
England’s World Cup hopefuls have joined up with each other before jetting out to Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions met up St George’s Park today.
The squad will fly to Doha tomorrow, before their first training session at the Al Wakrah sports complex on Wednesday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
