Explainers

SOUTH KOREA travel to Qatar for their tenth consecutive World Cup, more than any other Asian country.Fans will have fond memories of 2002, where the Taeguk Warriors reached the semi-finals in their home tournament, accompanied by their famous national anthem.
South Korea beat Spain to reach the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup where they lost 1-0 to GermanyCredit: AFP
South Korea finished second in their group to qualify for QatarCredit: Reuters
The Aegukga, translated as ‘The Patriotic Song’, was adopted in 1948, the year the country was founded. However, its lyrics date back to the 1890s.
The anthem was originally set to the popular Scottish song ‘Auld Lang Syne’, before composer Ahn Eak-tai created its own melody.
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What are the lyrics to South Korea’s national anthem?
Aegukga is thought to mean ‘the song to wake up the mind to love the country’. You can’t say it’s not patriotic!
It’s lyrics reference the country’s nature, mentioning South Korea’s famous Namsan Mountain in Seoul.
Here’s how it goes:
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Verse 1
Until the East Sea’s waves are dry, Mt. Paekdu worn away,God watch over our land forever, our Korea manse.
Verse 2
Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land;Guarded by her people, ever may Korea stand.
Verse 3
Like that Mt. Namsan armoured pine, standing on duty still,wind or frost, unchanging ever, be our resolute will.

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Verse 4
In autumn’s arching evening sky, crystal and cloudless blue;be the radiant moon our spirit, steadfast, single and true.
Verse 5
With such a will, such a spirit, loyalty, heart and hand,Let us love, come grief, come gladness, this our beloved land. More

TWO-TIME World Cup champions Uruguay travel to Qatar with the aim of topping group H.Portugal look to be their main competitors. However, Ghana are also seeking revenge following their dramatic penalty shootout defeat in 2010.
Luis Suarez is set to play in his fourth World CupCredit: EPA
Diego Alonso joined the Uruguay national team in 2020 after being sacked by David Beckham’s Inter MiamiCredit: Reuters
Newly appointed manager Diego Alonso finished third in his qualification group, ensuring their place at this winter’s tournament.
However, they did struggle against rivals Brazil and Argentina, losing all four games they played against them.
In Qatar, Alonso looks set to rely on the versatile Federico Valverde and Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur to help pull the strings from midfield.
Old school veterans Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are expected to lead the line once more for their country.
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What are the lyrics to Uruguay’s national anthem?
Himno Nacional de Uruguay is the longest national anthem of all the countries competing at the tournament, made up of 105 bars.
However, a far shorter version will be performed before matches.
Its lyrics were written by Francisco Acuña de Figueroa in 1833 and has been the official anthem ever since.
Figueroa was also the author of the lyrics to Paraguay’s national anthem.
Uruguay won the first ever World Cup in 1930Credit: EMPICS Sport
Here’s how the age-old piece goes:
Verse 1
Easterners, the Fatherland or the grave!Liberty or with glory we die!It is the vow that the soul pronounces,and which, heroically we will fulfill!It is the vow that the soul pronounces,and which, heroically we will fulfill!Which we will fulfill!We will fulfill! We will fulfill
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Verse 2
Liberty, Liberty, Easterners!This cry saved the fatherland.Which her brave warriors, in fierce battlesWith sublime enthusiasm filledFrom this sacred gift the glory we deservedTyrants: Tremble!Tyrants: Tremble!Liberty in combat we shall cry out!And dying, Freedom too!Liberty in combat we shall cry out!And dying, Freedom too!Freedom too!

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RIGOBERT SONG has led his side to their eighth World Cup, with the Indomitable Lions keen to stamp their mark on Group G. Cameroon make up five African countries boarding the plane to Qatar and all-time top-scorer Samuel Eto’o has lofty ambitions for his nation.
Ex-West Ham defender Rigobert Song played in four World Cups for CameroonCredit: EPA
Cameroon beat Algeria 2-1 in the play-off final to book their place at the World CupCredit: AP
Following their dramatic last gasp win against Algeria, booking their place at the tournament, Eto’o told the dressing room: “We go to Qatar to win the World Cup.”
The former Barcelona and Chelsea striker, who is head of the Cameroonian Football Federation, went on to say: “We enter each match to win. The others don’t have the same magic as we do.”
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What are the lyrics to Cameroon’s national anthem?
To get them in the mood, Cameroon will sing their inspiring ‘O Cameroon, Cradle of our Forefathers’ before games.
The anthem, known widely as The Rallying Song, reflects the dreams and ambitions of the Cameroonian people.
It was composed in 1928 and rapidly gained worldwide popularity. An English version was written in the 1960s.
Here’s what it means:
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Verse 1
O Cameroon, cradle of our ancestors,Go, upright and protective of your freedom.Like a sun, your proud flag must beAn ardent symbol of faith and unity.May all your children, from North to SouthFrom East to West, be all love,May serving you be their only goalTo fulfil their duty always.
Chorus
Dear Fatherland, cherished land,You are our one and true happiness.Our joy and our lifeTo you, love and great honour.
Verse 2
You are the grave where our fathers sleep,The garden that our ancestors have cultivated.We work to make you prosperousOne fine day we will finally get there.Be Africa’s faithful childAnd always progress in peaceHoping that your young childrenWill love you without bounds forever.

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SERBIA have qualified for their second consecutive World Cup, and face five-time winners Brazil in their opening gambit.The journey to Qatar has been quite the story, beating Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in stoppage time to top their group.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in stoppage time to book their place in Qatar, sending Portugal to the play-offsCredit: Reuters
Serbia also won their Nations League groupCredit: AP
The Eagles’ national anthem is an equally heroic tale. ‘Boze pravde’, meaning ‘God of Justice’, was put on hold when Serbia became a part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
The anthem wouldn’t return for another 77 years, when citizens demanded their beloved anthem be reinstated following the dissolution of Yugoslavia.
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What are the lyrics to Serbia’s national anthem?
Boze pravde became official in 2006 when the country restored its independence.
Here’s what the words mean in English:
God of Justice; Thou who saved uswhen in deepest bondage cast,Hear Thy Serbian children’s voices,Be our help as in the past.
With Thy mighty hand sustain us,Still our rugged pathway trace;God, our hope; protect and cherish,Serbian lands and Serbian race! More

CANADA captured the hearts of a nation during a fantastic qualifying campaign which saw them top their group, securing a place at just their second ever World Cup.Their first challenge is up against the second highest ranked team in the world, Belgium.
Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 to qualify for the World CupCredit: Reuters
Canada’s last appearance at a World Cup was in Mexico 1986Credit: Getty
Head coach John Herdman has started to deploy Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies in a more advanced left-wing position, with fans looking to the 22-year-old for an attacking spark.
Canada finished 24th out of 24 teams during their last World Cup appearance in 1986. So in truth, they can’t do worse this time round.
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What are the lyrics to the Canada national anthem?
‘O Canada’ became the country’s official anthem in 1980, although it has been in circulation for a further 100 years.
Herdman has encouraged his players to sing loud and contemplate the meaning of the lyrics in Qatar.
Here’s how it goes:
O Canada,
Our home and native land!
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True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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MOROCCO are all set to play in their sixth World Cup in Qatar, with an aim of matching their performance over 35 years ago.In Mexico 86′, the Atlas Lions surpassed all expectations, topping a group consisting of England, Portugal and Poland.
Hakim Ziyech has been called up to Morocco for the first time in 12 months after retiring from international duty following a spat with former manager Vahid HalilhodzicCredit: Getty
Morocco beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 5-2 on aggregate to book their place in QatarCredit: AP:Associated Press
It has been a bumpy road since then, failing to qualify for the World Cup in between 1998 and 2018. But they look to be back on track under new coach Walid Regragui, with a handful of talented players eager to impress.
Their campaign gets underway against Croatia.
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What are the lyrics to the Morocco national anthem?
Little is known of the origins surrounding the ‘Moroccan Cherifian Anthem’.
The music was composed in the early 20th century, but it is the lyrics that spark particular interest.
Legend has it that the first time Moroccans heard the anthem sung was by crowds through a live broadcast of their first World Cup game in Mexico, 1970.
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Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
Root of the free,Rising place of the Lights,Forum of glory and its protector,May you perpetuate as its forum and its protector.
Verse 2
May you live among the homelandsAs an address for grandeurFilling every heartconveyed by every tongue.

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Chorus
With the spirit,With the body,Your son has comeTo answer your call.
Verse 3
In my mouth and in my blood,Your love stirred up as light and fire.Let’s go brothers!Heading for grandeur,
Verse 4
Making the world witnessThat we here perpetually liveWith the motto:God, Homeland, King. More

TUNISIA are one of many nations making their final preparations before the World Cup gets started in a few days time.The North African side get their campaign underway against Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark, who will also be vying for a place in the knockout rounds.
Tunisia topped their qualifying group before beating Mali 1-0 on aggregate to book their place in QatarCredit: Getty
Tunisia have never reached the Round of 16 in five appearances at the World Cup, but head coach Jalel Kadri will be hoping to make it six times lucky in Qatar.
He has even said he will step down if his side do not get through the group stages, stating on Tunisian TV: “If we do not reach the knockout phase, I will leave.”
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What are the lyrics to Tunisia’s national anthem?
Humat al-Hima translates to ‘Defenders of the Homeland’ in English.
The lyrics were written in the 1930s by Egyptian poet Mostafa Saadeq Al-Rafe’ie.
The hugely popular anthem was adopted in November 1987, and is certainly patriotic!
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Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
O defenders of the Homeland!Rally around to the glory of our time!The blood surges in our veins,We die for the sake of our land.
Verse 2
Let the heavens roar with thunderLet thunderbolts rain with fire.Men and youth of Tunisia,Rise up for her might and glory.No place for traitors in Tunisia,Only for those who defend her!We live and die loyal to Tunisia,A life of dignity and a death of glory.

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Chorus
As a nation we inheritedArms like granite towers.Holding aloft our proud flag flying,We boast of it, it boasts of us,Arms that achieve ambitions and glory,Sure to realize our hopes,Inflict defeat on foes,Offer peace to friends.
Chorus
When the people will to live,Destiny must surely respond.Oppression shall then vanish.Fetters are certain to break More

THE biggest tournament in world football is just around the corner, and SunSport have been taking a look at the countries’ national anthems.Denmark will be hoping to build on a fantastic Euro 2020 campaign which saw them reach the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to England.
Christian Eriksen will be key to Denmark in QatarCredit: Getty
Denmark beat France twice during the Nations LeagueCredit: Reuters
After doing the double over France in the Nations League, fans will be confident that they can go toe to toe with the defending champions in Group D.
Kasper Hjulmand’s first challenge is up against Tunisia in just a few days time.
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What are the lyrics to Denmark’s national anthem?
Der er et yndigt land translates to ‘There is a lovely country’ in English.
The lyrics were written in 1819 by poet Adam Oehlenschläger, and the anthem boasts Denmark’s beautiful nature and rich history.
At the World Cup, only the first verse and last lines of the fourth verse will be sung, with the last line of each repeated once.
But we thought we’d treat you to the lot!
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Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
There’s a beautiful countryIt stands with wide beechesNear the salty eastern beachesNear the salty eastern beachesIt bays in the back and valleyIt’s called Old DenmarkAnd it it Freya’s hall
Verse 2
Who sat in former timesThe armour dressed fightersRested from the fightRested from the fightthen went up to the enemies injuryNow resting their legsBehind the menhir of the hills

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Verse 3
The country that’s still greatbecause blue is the sea that wavesand the foliage is so greenand the foliage is so greenand noble women and beautiful virginsand men and healthy swainsinhabit the islands of the danishinhabit the islands of the danish
Verse 4
Hail king and motherlandHail any Danish citizenwho gives what he canwho gives what he canOur old Denmark will endureas long as the beech-tree mirrorsits treetop in the blue wavesits treetop in the blue waves More