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      Why is David de Gea NOT playing for Spain at the 2022 World Cup?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED goalkeeper David de Gea has been on fine form for the Red Devils this season is not playing at the 2022 World Cup for Spain.The 32-year-old has made 45 appearances for his national team and was once seen as one of the best goalkeepers in football.
      David de Gea has been on fine form for Manchester United so far this seasonCredit: Reuters
      However, he is not featuring for Luis Enrique’s side at the World Cup in Qatar as they prepare to face Germany.
      And we have all the details regarding the reasoning behind De Gea not playing for his national team.
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      Why isn’t David de Gea playing for Spain?
      De Gea was seen as Spain’s clear number one for years after the retirement of icon Iker Casillas.
      However, this is not the case anymore as the Spaniard was not included in Enrique’s squad for the World Cup despite being the number one in the 2018 tournament.
      Luis Enrique did not call David de Gea up for the Spain squad ahead of the World CupCredit: AFP
      The shot stopper hasn’t featured for Spain since a 1-0 loss to Ukraine on back in 2020 but was named in the Euro 2020 squad last summer.
      However, Unai Simon was preferred ahead of him as the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper keeps his place ahead of De Gea for the World Cup.
      De Gea wasn’t even included in a 55-man shortlist ahead of the final squad announcement as he fell out of favour with Enrique, who has outlined his preference in goal.
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      Speaking to the press earlier this year, Enrique said: “A goalkeeper should start the play and generate the first superiority, they must dominate the aerial play.
      “I need a goalkeeper that transmits peace and calmness to me, that doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes, errors are part of football. What they generate I like a lot.”
      It appears that De Gea does not match what Enrique is looking for in a goalkeeper and therefore is not in the World cup squad for the Spaniards. More

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      Why isn’t Toni Kroos playing for Germany at World Cup 2022?

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      TONI KROOS is one of the most iconic midfielders in world football.The German midfielder, 32, has won the Champions League five times in his storied career.
      Toni Kroos decided to stop playing for Germany after Euro 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      And he won the World Cup with die Mannschaft in 2014, playing a key part as they decimated Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals.
      But World Cup fans will have noticed his absence in the German team during this winter’s tournament.
      Especially after his superb form in the Champions League and given his Real Madrid midfield team-mates for their win in May, Luka Modric and Casemiro – who is now at Manchester United – are in Qatar.
      But Kroos has taken a different path during the latter stages of his career.

      Why isn’t Toni Kroos playing for Germany at the 2022 World Cup?
      Kroos decided to step down from international football following Germany’s campaign at the Euros last summer.
      The tournament was delayed by a year – but after they were eliminated by England in the last 16, he decided it was time to call time on his international career.
      While Kroos has never used the term ‘international retirement’ he has made himself unavailable for Hansi Flick’s squad.
      So Germany have had to press on with Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield.
      He said: “I’ve played for Germany 106 times.
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      “There won’t be another time. I made the decision to quit after this tournament a long time ago.
      “It has been clear to me that I would not be available for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”

      World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup More

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      Who is Ecuador vs Senegal referee Clement Turpin at Word Cup 2022?

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      THERE will be a familiar face in the middle during the World Cup.Clement Turpin is in charge for Ecuador’s World Cup group game against Senegal.
      Turpin is one of Europe’s most-respected refereesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The French whistler is a hugely experienced referee and was in charge for the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid last season.Who is Clement Turpin?
      Turpin is one of the most experienced whistlers heading to this summer’s tournament.
      The Frenchman began in the National league in 2006, taking just two years to reach Ligue 1 and the highest rung in the domestic ladder.
      In 2010 he was given Fifa listed status, meaning he could branch out into Europe.
      Since then he has reffed in 2014 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers and was in the middle during Euro 2016 in his home country.
      Turpin was in the middle for last month’s Europa League finalCredit: PA
      You may recognise Turpin from the Europa League final in Gdansk last year, where he was ably assisted by Jérôme Brisard and Benjamin Pages.
      Those two assistants have worked with the Frenchman for years.
      Ahead of the 2021 match between Manchester United and Villarreal he said: “I feel very proud.
      “Not only for myself, but also for my assistants, who have accompanied me for a number of years, and for all referees in France.
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      “I never said to myself that I would referee a European final one day.
      “From the start, I preferred to set myself small targets and challenges along the way.
      “I’ve never had a particular role model as a referee, but I’ve watched other referees and taken little bits of what they do and incorporated them into my own refereeing.”
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      Who is Luka Modric’s wife Vanja Bosnic, when did Croatia star get married and how many children does he have?

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      LUKA MODRIC is a key figure for Croatia in the World Cup and Real Madrid – having lifted his FIFTH Champions League title in 2022.And he has been inspired every step of the way by his wife and agent Vanja Bosnic.
      Modric and his wife sharing a loving kissCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Who is Vanja Bosnic?
      Vanja Bosnic is three years older than her husband, Luka Modric, at 36-years-old.
      The pair met in 2007 while Vanja was working at the sports agency of former Dinamo Zagreb executive director Zdravko Mamic.
      Modric’s wife would later take over as his agent and secure a monumental deal to take him to Real Madrid in 2012.
      But unlike many WAGs today, she prefers to keep a low profile, and doesn’t even have a public Instagram account.

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      When did Modric marry Vanja and how many children do they have?
      The two got married in May 2010 in the Croatian capital of Zagreb.
      Modric’s former Tottenham and Croatian team-mate Vedran Corluka was the best man at their wedding.
      The couple’s first child, son Ivano, was born just three weeks after their wedding.
      Since they have had two daughters,Ema and Sofia. More

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      Portugal vs Uruguay: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for World Cup 2022 Group G clash

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      PORTUGAL face off against South American giants Uruguay in their huge match in Group H.Cristiano Ronaldo has already lit up the tournament after scoring a penalty to become the first player to score in FIVE World cups.
      Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring in his FIFTH World Cup after netting a penalty against GhanaCredit: Getty
      Portugal’s path to Qatar has been rocky to say the least.
      After failing to top their group, Fernando Santos’ side were forced to do it the hard way, beating Turkey and then North Macedonia to book their place at this year’s tournament.
      Despite winning the Euros in 2016, the World Cup has continued to evade the European side, failing to progress past the round of 16 since 2006.
      They won’t have fond memories of Uruguay either, losing 2-1 at the round of 16 stage of the 2018 World Cup.
      Portugese fans will hope that their supposed ‘golden generation’ can step up a gear this year, and go all the way in Qatar.
      When is Portugal vs Uruguay?

      Portugal’s clash with Uruguay will take place on Monday, November 28.
      The match will kick-off at 7pm UK time.
      Portugal vs Uruguay will be held at the Lusail Stadium, which will also host the tournament final.
      The two sides’ last and only meeting was in the 2018 World Cup, and the game finished 2-1 to Uruguay.

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      What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      Portugal vs Uruguay will be shown live on ITV in the UK.
      You can also live stream the action via the ITV Hub, which can be downloaded onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch it for FREE?
      Yes, you can! The game is available to watch for FREE in the UK, so long as you have a TV licence.
      What is the team news?
      Nuno Mendes and Danilo are both injured for Portugal and will not play.
      After the win over Ghana it emerged that Danilo had broken a RIB – but still completed the 90 minutes.
      Uruguay will be without Ronald Araujo, who has been injured since September.
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      What are the odds?
      Portugal win 10/11
      Draw 23/10
      Uruguay victory 16/5
      Odds courtesy of Betfair are correct as of November 25. More

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      Who is Ferran Torres’ girlfriend Sira Martinez and is she related to Spain manager Luis Enrique?

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      SIRA MARTINEZ is the stunning girlfriend of Spain and Barcelona star Ferran Torres.The couple first began their relationship in 2021.
      Sira Martinez is dating Barcelona and Spain star Ferran TorresCredit: https://www.instagram.com/siramartinezc
      The couple have been together since 2021Credit: https://www.instagram.com/siramartinezc
      Sira has over 200,000 followers on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/siramartinezc
      Sira often shares loved up pictures of herself with TorresCredit: https://www.instagram.com/siramartinezc
      Torres, 22, played for Manchester City at the time, with the pair making things work long distance.
      The Spain forward then joined Barcelona in January, the city where Sira was born.
      But Torres isn’t Sira’s only link to football.
      Her dad is Spain manager Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League as Barca boss in 2015.
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      Who is Ferran Torres’ girlfriend Sira Martinez?
      Sira is a professional show-jumper and a member of the swanky Barcelona Royal Polo Club.
      She is also an influencer, and has 210,000 followers on Instagram.
      Sira often posts pictures of herself in equestrian action, as well as sweet couple shots alongside Torres.
      She has an older brother, Pacho, and younger sister Xana, who sadly passed away in 2019 aged nine after a battle with cancer.
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      Sira is a professional show-jumperCredit: https://www.instagram.com/siramartinezc
      She frequently posts pictures with her beloved horseCredit: https://www.instagram.com/siramartinezc
      What has Luis Enrique said?
      Spain gaffer Enrique said he has no problem with his players having sex on the night before matches during the World Cup.
      He was then asked what he would do if Torres celebrated a goal with a baby gesture, given the forward is an a relationship with his daughter.
      But Enrique revealed that would be where he draws the line.
      Enrique hilariously declared: “I would replace him in that moment, put him on the stands, and he wouldn’t set foot on a football pitch again.”
      Sira’s dad is Spain manager Luis EnriqueCredit: Getty More

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      Who is Netherlands vs Qatar referee Bakary Gassama and how many World Cups has he officiated at?

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      FIFA has selected 38 referees from around the globe for Qatar 2022 – and Gambia’s Bakary Gassama is one of the lucky men chosen.He takes charge of the game between the Netherlands and Qatar in the last round of group matches.
      Gassama is making his second World Cup appearanceCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The official is one of the chosen few to officiate matches at the World Cup, having experienced officiating on the world stage in 2018 and 2014.
      Here’s all you need to know about the experienced Gassama.
      Who is Bakary Gassama?
      Since starting in 2003, Gassama has risen from the Gambian league to taking charge of games at the highest level.
      After becoming Fifa-listed in 2007, his first major tournament was the 2012 London Olympics, where he was fourth official in the gold medal match between Brazil and Mexico.
      A veteran of three African Cup of Nations, the Gambian took charge of the 2015 final.
      With VAR in use in Russia, Gassama has prior knowledge of the system after its trial in the Confederations Cup last year.
      He is also the first non-Asian referee to ever officiate in the Qatari league.
      He got into a heated argument with now-Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz after the former Manchester United assistant manager raged at his decision when he was Egypt manager.
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      Egypt won the match – an Afcon semi-final – and Queiroz was sent off.Has he officiated at the World Cup before?
      This will be Gassama’s second World Cup after he appeared in Rio.
      The Gambian took charge of a Group B clash which saw Holland beat Chile 2-0.
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      Why is Croatia player Josko Gvardiol wearing a mask at World Cup 2022?

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      JOSKO GVARDIOL is one of the most sought-after talents in European football.The RB Leipzig centre-back, 20, has attracted transfer interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid in recent months.
      Josko Gvardiol puts on his face mask after the anthems at the World Cup in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Gvardiol was sporting two black eyes when he was on the bench for Croatia’s World Cup warm-up match recentlyCredit: Alamy
      But he has remained loyal to the Bundesliga club, who are regulars in the Champions League.
      And fans will have noticed the Croatia star is wearing an unfamiliar facial decoration during their World Cup campaign, starting against Morocco.
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      Why is Josko Gvardiol wearing a mask?
      Gvardiol was taken to hospital on November 10, during Leipzig’s 3-1 Bundesliga win over Freiburg.
      He collided with team-mate Willi Orban in the 17th minute and injured his face.
      Gvardiol wasn’t actually supposed to start the game but Abdou Diallo injured his knee in the warm-up.
      Unfortunately for Gvardiol, he injured his face, with a nose and eye problem and left the pitch with a bloody nose.
      Josko Gvardiol had a bloodied nose after a nasty collision with a team-mate during Leipzig’s 3-1 win over FreiburgCredit: Reuters
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      Scans later showed he broke his nose and is therefore being forced to wear a face mask at the World Cup, with Croatia’s first game less than two weeks away.
      RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose said: “I heard he has a broken nose.
      “The eye is swollen. He looks like a boxer after 12 rounds against a tough opponent.” More