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      Why is Matty Cash playing for Poland at the World Cup 2022?

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      MATTY CASH is making his debut at the World Cup this year – but he’s not playing for England.The Aston Villa star was born and raised in England and grew up in Buckinghamshire.
      Matty Cash plays his international football for PolandCredit: Getty
      But Cash plays his international football for Poland, who are up against Mexico, Argentina and Saudi Arabia in the group stages in Qatar.
      Cash has scored one goal for Poland previously and has made seven appearances overall.

      Why does Matty Cash play for Poland?
      Cash is eligible to represent Poland at international level because his mother and late grand-father were both born there.
      His mother is also fluent in Polish and Cash has said that he listens to audio of popular Polish phrases.
      He switched itnernational allegiance from England to Poland in 2021 and was granted citizenship last October.
      He was first called up to the squad in November 2021.

      “This is a very important and proud day for me and my family,” Cash said after being granted citizenship.
      “My application to get a Polish citizenship has been approved by Polish authorities.
      “I would like to thank the president, my family and other people who helped me. Now it’s time for a new challenge. I will give my all for this country.”
      Cash never made an appearance for England, at youth or senior level.
      The 25-year-old ultimately chose to play for Poland to increase his chances of playing international football regularly.
      Poland are in a group with Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Argentina at the World CupCredit: Getty
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      Do yellow cards get cancelled after the group stages at the World Cup?

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      YELLOW CARDS are a certainty during any football tournament but players are bound to be cautious of picking up too many in Qatar.The 2022 World Cup will be no different, with players knowing that if they pick up two yellow cards they will pick up a suspension.
      The Netherlands will be hoping to lift the World Cup in Qatar after a fine run of form heading into the tournamentCredit: AP
      However, there is a cut-off point for yellow cards to help ease concerns of those who pick up an early yellow in the tournament.
      We have all the information regarding the rules and when yellow cards are reset during the 2022 World Cup.
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      Do yellow cards get cancelled after the group stages at the World Cup?
      In short, no, yellow cards will not be cancelled after the group stages at the World Cup.
      If you pick up a second yellow for the tournament in the final match of the group, the player will miss the round of 16.
      John Stones picking up a yellow card in World Cup qualifyingCredit: Getty
      The same goes for if a player picks up his second, or fourth, yellow of the tournament in the round of 16, meaning that they would miss the quarter final.
      However, a player’s record will be reset after the quarter final and before the semi final.
      This is to ensure that nobody will miss a World Cup final because of suspension due to an accumulation of yellows.
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      Despite this, a red card in the semi finals would see a suspension in the last match if this were to be the case.
      This rule change will be a welcome one for England, who previously saw Paul Gascoigne miss the Italia 90′ World Cup final due to picking up a yellow card against West German in the semi final.
      Thankfully, nobody will suffer this heartbreak in Qatar due to this rule being tweaked since 1990. More

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      Who is Poland vs Saudi Arabia referee Wilton Sampaio at World Cup 2022?

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      WILTON SAMPAIO is a referee who has gone from the VAR booth to the green grass of the pitch for this World CupThe Brazilian is in charge of the Saudi Arabia match against Poland.
      Wilton Sampaio has been a listed referee for Fiifa since 2013Credit: Aizar Raldes
      Four years ago in Russia he was one of the officials tasked with getting the, then new, technology running smoothly and making sound decisions.
      The technology was hailed in Russia for being well run and now four years later the Brazilian has been given his whistle and book back.Who is Wilton Sampaio?
      Sampaio was born in 1981 in Teresina de Goias, Brazil.
      The 36-year-old will be a video assistant referee at the World Cup this summer.
      He was elected as one of the best referees in the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A champions.
      Sampaio is known in Brazil for handing out yellow cards at every possible occasion.
      The Brazilian impressed the Fifa officials during his VAR trainingCredit: Reuters
      After officiating three Copa Libertadores matches last season, the Brazilian produced 14 yellow cards and one red card.
      And he handed out 12 yellow cards after two Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A matches.Has he refereed at a World Cup competition?
      The competition in Russia will be Brazilian’s first ever job at a World Cup.
      He has refereed international matches at U17 and U15 level.

      Has he used VAR before?
      Video assistant referees are not used in the Brazilian leagues, but he was selected by Fifa after he excelled in the VAR seminars.
      Speaking to Globo, he said: “The feeling is very joyful.
      “It is a dream come true, to be able to work in a World Cup, my first in the professional category.
      “I tried my best to prepare to be among the selected , in the theoretical and practical parts.
      “The goal now is keep improving until the trip to Russia.”
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      World Cup schedule: What are the kick-off times for all the matches?
      World Cup prize money: How much does each winner earn?
      Who are the ITV pundits and commentators?
      Who are the BBC pundits and commentators?
      Meet England’s World Cup wags who are staying on a £1bn cruise ship More

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      World Cup 2022 – Tunisia vs Australia: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time for Group D clash

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      TUNISIA are set to take on Australia in their second 2022 Qatar World Cup encounter.The Eagles of Carthage landed a spot in football’s biggest cup competition by scraping past African rivals Mali over two legs.
      Jackson Irvine was on the losing team as the Aussies were thrashedCredit: Getty
      And they’ll be determined to at least go one step further than their 2018 campaign which saw them finish third behind Belgium and England in Group G.
      However, the Aussie’s fourth place group finish during the Russian World Cup edition could spur them on in the same manor as Tunisia.
      But the Socceroos haven’t managed to secure a World Cup knock-out spot since 2006.
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      What time does Tunisia vs Australia kick off?

      Tunisia will be taking on Australia in the second set of Group D fixtures on Saturday, November 26.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 10am UK time – 12pm local time.
      Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar is the allocated arena for this encounter and it can host a capacity of 40,000 fans.
      The Tunisian’s came out on top when the sides last met way back in a 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup clash.

      Read More on World Cup
      What TV channel is Tunisia vs Australia on and can it be live streamed?

      Tunisia vs Australia will be broadcasted LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
      Viewers also have the option to stream the entire action live via the BBC Sport website or BBC iPlayer app.
      The BBC iPlayer app is available to download on your mobile phone or preferred tablet device.

      Can I watch Tunisia vs Australia for FREE?
      Yes! Tunisia’s Group D clash against Australia can be watched for FREE in the UK so long as you have a valid TV license.
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      What are the odds?
      Tunisia win 6/5
      Draw 9/4
      Australia victory 13/5 More

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      Who is Lionel Messi’s wife Antonella Roccuzzo? Argentine model and former dental student

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      LIONEL MESSI lives a quiet life for a football icon, in contrast to that of his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.He will be looking to win his first World Cup with Argentina, but the nation must get a positive result when they face Mexico this week to stand a chance of doing so.
      And what is known about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is that he married his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in July 2017.
      The pair tied the knot in Argentina in July 2017Credit: Rex Features
      Who is Antonella Roccuzzo and how did she meet Lionel Messi?
      Antonella Roccuzzo was born Argentina’s third largest city of Rosario, just like Lionel Messi.
      She has known the Barcelona star since she was five years old as her cousin, Lucas Scaglia, was a childhood friend of his.
      If Messi has a reputation of being shy, this was certainly not the case in his pursuit of Antonella, as he regularly visited her home from a young age, just to see her.
      It is not known how long the pair have been together behind closed doors, but they went public with their relationship in 2008.
      The bond between the couple was believed to have strengthened in 2007, when Messi flew back to Rosario to comfort Antonella after the death of her friend.
      What is Antonella Roccuzzo’s job?
      Antonella Roccuzzo initially trained to be a dentist at university.
      But she ultimately switched to social communication.
      In November 2016, she posted on Instagram stating that she had signed a modelling contract with Argentine fashion label Ricky Sarkany.
      Where did her wedding with Lionel  Messi take place?
      The Barcelona striker married Antonella in a party billed Argentina’s ‘wedding of the century.’
      It took place at the plush City Centre Hotel and Casino in their hometown of Rosario in Argentina.
      Premier League stars Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero were present, while Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Samuel Eto’o were also in town.
      It has been reported that as well as guests having their phones banned, staff were sworn to secrecy – and over 450 police officers were brought in to manage the situation.
      And the couple looked overwhelmed to tie the knot in front of their young sons Thiago and Mateo.
      On March 10, 2018, Antonella gave birth to the couple’s third son, Ciro.
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      How tall is Lionel Messi and what is the Argentina superstar’s net worth?

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      GETTING the measure of Lionel Messi is very hard work on the pitch – as many of the world’s top defenders will testify.Whether leading a goal charge with Argentina in the World Cup or for PSG in Ligue 1, the mercurial forward always leads opponents a right song and dance.
      Lionel Messi is one of the wealthiest players in world footballCredit: Rex
      The 35-year old from Rosario always makes it a tall order for even world class teams who struggle to contain him, and he will look to work his magic against Mexico this week at the 2022 World Cup.
      And interest in the game is always heightened around the globe when he closes on goal.
      How tall is Lionel Messi?
      Actually, Messi is on the short side allowing him to make those amazing twists and turns as he sets of on a typical mazy run.
      The tale of the tape reveals him to be a shade under 5ft 7ins or, to be precise, 5ft 5.77ins.
      And this could explain why he doesn’t score very often with his head.
      Messi with wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their familyCredit: Instagram @antoroccuzzo88
      Another game, another goal for MessiCredit: Reuters
      Cristiano Ronaldo measures up at 6ft 1.62ins.Credit: Reuters
      Were efforts ever made to increase his height?
      Yes. Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child and was saved by his athletic abilities.
      His potential led Barcelona to sign him at just 13 and pay for his growth hormone treatment.
      How does Messi’s height compare with other leading football players?
      Well, Zlatan Ibahimovic towers above the Argentinian at is 6ft 4.77ins tall, while Messi’s great La Liga rival Cristiano Ronaldo is 6ft 1.62ins.
      Brazilian striker Neymar is 5ft 8.89ins as is French hitman Antoine Griezmann.
      Neymar’s Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez measures up at just under six foot at 5ft 11.65ins.
      Brazilian hitman Neymar is 5ft 8.89insCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      So much for Messi’s height, how high are his earnings? What is his net worth?
      Well, Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Messi’s net worth is an astonishing £300 million – more than Ronaldo.
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      He is the highest paid soccer player on an annual salary of £25.4m or £497,000 a week, with his impressive endorsement deals bringing in the rest.
      One of his biggest deals is with Gatorade, who he frequently appears in commercials for – most recently with Suarez in advance of the 2018 World Cup.
      But his most lucrative deal is with Adidas, with whom he even has a line of soccer cleats. Having been sponsored by Adidas since the early days of his career, the deal is a yin to the yang of Ronaldo’s Nike deal. More

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      World Cup 2022 – England vs Wales: Date, stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for final Group B match-up

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      ENGLAND’s third and final Group B game at this year’s World Cup is against rivals Wales. After losing 2-0 to Iran, the Welsh need a miracle to qualify for the last 16, but the Dragons CAN still mathematically get out of Group B.
      Gareth Bale and Wales need a minor miracle to qualify from Group B in the World CupCredit: Rex
      Daniel Sturridge scored the winner for England against Wales at Euro 2016Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The two sides haven’t played each other in a major tournament since Euro 2016, when England overcame their opponents 2-1 in the group stages.
      England were knocked out of that tournament before Wales were but since then, the Three Lions have enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance.
      They reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 before going a step further to play in the final against Italy in a losing effort at Euro 2020.
      This time, they’ll be looking to go a step further by winning their first World Cup since 1966.
      Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, despite that loss to England, but have failed to progress further at the two tournaments since, so the Dragons will looking to cause an upset.
      Read more World Cup
      When is England vs Wales?

      England’s clash with Wales will get underway from 7pm UK time on Tuesday, November 29.
      The game will be played at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
      The stadium opened in 2003 and can hold up to 50,000 spectators.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      England vs Wales will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The game is FREE to watch, so long as you have a TV licence.

      Most read in Football

      Who is in England’s 26-man squad?

      Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle)
      Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
      Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea)
      Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester City) More

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      When did Luis Enrique become Spain manager and what teams has the Barcelona legend managed?

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      LUIS ENRIQUE will once again be in the dugout for Spain at the World Cup in Qatar.It’s Enrique’s first managerial position since leaving Barcelona, taking over the role after interim boss Fernando Hierro stepped down after Spain’s 2018 World Cup quarter-final penalties defeat to Russia.
      The Spaniard will be hoping that he can prepare his team to come out on top against Germany as they face off this week.
      Luis Enrique faces the media ahead of England clashCredit: AFP or licensors
      When did Luis Enrique become the Spain manager?
      Luis Enrique was announced as the new national team boss in July, taking over the reins from Fernando Hierro who managed the side during the World Cup before stepping down.
      Hierro was filling in for former Spain boss Julien Lopetegui, who was sacked by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) days before the nations World Cup opener to Portugal.
      This was down to negotiations taking place between Lopetegui and Real Madrid, which occurred without any information to the RFEF.
      Lopetegui signed a three-year-deal to take over the Spanish giants from Zinedine Zidane but lost out on the chance to manage the country at the World Cup, despite winning 14 of his 20 games in charge while drawing the other six.
      Julen Lopetegui was sacked days before World Cup openerCredit: AFP or licensors
      What other clubs has Luis Enrique managed?
      Luis Enrique began his managerial career at Barcelona B in 2008 before doing spells at Spanish clubs Roma and Celta.
      Enrique became the Barcelona manager in July 2014 and won the treble in his first year in charge, scooping the La Liga Coach of the Year and the FIFA World Coach of the Year along the way.
      He added the double a year later and won a third successive Copa Del Ray in his final year in charge of the squad.
      Under Enrique, Barcelona won 138 of their 181 games, losing just 21 matches.
      Enrique celebrates as Barcelona win the Champions League in 2015Credit: EPA
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      Who is Luis Enrique?
      Luis Enrique was born on May 8 1970. He is 48-years-old.
      He spent five years at Spanish giants Real Madrid, winning the La Liga title and Copa del Ray for the first time as a player.
      He moved to Barcelona in 1996 and went on to win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Ray’s, the UEFA Super Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. Scoring 110 goals in over 300 Barcelona appearances in all competitions.
      He made 61 appearances as a player for the Spain national side, netting 12 goals.
      Enrique played over 300 games for BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Luis Enrique reveals Spain squad to face England and Croatia on a whiteboard More