Explainers

THE World Cup is upon us and all players involved will be linking up with their countries before the ball gets rolling in Qatar.The Socceroos get their campaign underway against holders France, and will be hoping to impress.
The Australian team have touched down in QatarCredit: AP
Australia qualified for the World Cup after beating Peru on penaltiesCredit: Reuters
Australia travel to Doha for their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Although, they haven’t made it out of the group stage in their previous three attempts.
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What are the lyrics to Australia’s national anthem?
To get them into the mood before kick-off, Australia sing ‘Advance Australia Fair’, which replaced ‘God Save the Queen’ in 1974.
The anthem was originally published in 1878 by Scotland-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick.
However, the lyrics were tweaked last year following complaints that they were divisive and failed to recognise the legacy of Indigenous Australians.
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Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
Australians all let us rejoiceFor we are young and freeWe’ve golden soil and wealth for toilOur home is girt by seaOur land abounds in nature’s giftsOf beauty, rich and rareIn history’s page let every stage
Chorus
Advance Australia fairIn joyful strains then let us singAdvance Australia fair

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Verse 2
Beneath our radiant Southern CrossWe’ll toil with hearts and handsTo make this Commonwealth of oursRenowned of all the landsFor those who’ve across the seasWe’ve boundless plains to shareWith courage let us all combine More

IF you’re familiar with the Word Cup, you’ll know that all teams will have the chance to sing their national anthems ahead of kick-off. And SunSport have been taking a look at what they all mean.Mexico have qualified for the World Cup 17 times in their history, and are hoping to make it past the round of 16 for the first time in over 35 years.
Mexico have qualified for the last eight consecutive World CupsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Mexico head coach, Argentinian Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will be hopint o win the nation’s trust after losing three games in a row to the USACredit: EPA
However it won’t be an easy task, with South American giants Argentina standing in their way as favourites of Group C.
Manager Gerardo Martino gets his campaign underway against Poland, where viewers can hear the Mexican fans belt out the age-old anthem.
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What are the lyrics to Mexico’s national anthem?
The Himno Nacional Mexicano is a cry of war.
It was first written in 1854 by poet Francisco Gonzales Bocanegra, and composed by the Spaniard Jaime Nuno.
Here’s how the anthem, steeped in patriotism, reads in English.
Chorus
Mexicans, at the cry of war,
Assemble the steel and the bridle,
And the earth trembles to it’s core
To the resounding roar of the cannon.
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Verse 1
Encircle Oh Fatherland! Your temples with olives,
Peace by the divine archangel,
For in heaven your eternal destiny
By the finger of God it was written.
If, however, a foreign enemy would dare,
To profane your ground with their sole,
Think, Oh beloved Fatherland!
That heaven has given a soldier in every son.
Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa will be key to keeping out goals for his sideCredit: EPA
Verse 2
War, war! With no mercy to any who shall try to tarnish the coats of arms of the Fatherland!
War, war! The national banners
Shall be drenched in the waves of blood.
War, war! On the mountain, in the valley,
The cannons thunder in horrid unison
And the sonorous echoes resound
With bellows of Union! Liberty! More

WITH the World Cup just around the corner, SunSport have been taking a look all the countries’ national anthems, and next on our list is Iran.England fans will be the first to hear it when when the pair face off in Gareth Southgate’s opening game of the tournament.
Iran have qualified for six World Cups in their history, but have never got past the group stagesCredit: Reuters
Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz, will return for a second spell managing IranCredit: Getty
Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man Carlos Queiroz will lead Iran out for his third World Cup as manager in Qatar.
But his side’s controversial national anthem may evoke a firm response from fans.
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What are the lyrics to Iran’s national anthem?
Iran’s national anthem, named Sorude Melliye Jomhuriye Eslamiye Iran, is the second the country has had since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
With the first one considered too long, famous poet Syed Bagheri collaborated with composer Hassan Riahi to create a shorter version.
Mehdi Taremi is the third top scorer in the Champions League and is expected to be key to any potential Iranian success at the tournamentCredit: Getty
The lyrics reference the Islamic revolution and the hope that the republic will survive forever.
It is thought that this notion could cause protests amongst fans who stand against the current government. Here’s the translation in English.
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Upwards on the horizon rises the Eastern Sun,
The light in the eyes of the believers in truth,
Bahman is the zenith of our faith.

Your message, O Imam, of independence, freedom, is imprinted on our souls.
O Martyrs! Your clamors echo in the ears of time.
Enduring, continuing, and eternal.
The Islamic Republic of Iran!

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IN the lead up to the World Cup, it’s not just football that players will be practicing. They will also be warming up their singing voices for their countries’ national anthems.SunSport have been looking into Ecuador’s ‘Salve, Oh Patria’ ahead of their opening day match-up against hosts Qatar.
Ecuador have qualified for their third ever World Cup, also doing so in 2002, 2006 and 2014Credit: AFP or licensors
Ecuador’s Byron Castillo has been accused of using a fake passport and FIFA are investigating his nationalityCredit: AP
The South American side finished fourth in their qualifying group, booking their place in the tournament amid controversy surrounding a player’s fake passport allegations.
They will be hoping to make their country proud at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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What are the lyrics to Ecuador’s national anthem?
Ecuador’s national anthem was created in the 1800s by poet Juan Leon Mera and musician Antonio Neumane Marno.
After some tweaks to the words, it became the country’s official anthem in 1948.
‘Salve, Oh Patria’ references Ecuador’s uprising against Spain in the early 1800s as well as the subsequent war of independence.
Unlike most other anthems, Ecuador’s opens with the chorus. Here’s how it goes.
Moises Caicedo (left) is expected to be key to any potential Ecuador successCredit: AFP
Chorus
We greet you, Oh Fatherland, a thousand times!
Oh fatherland, glory to you!
Your breast overflows with joy and peace,
Your radiant face is brighter than the shining sun we see
Verse 1
Your children were outraged by the yoke
That Iberian audacity imposed on you,
By the unjust and horrendous disgrace fatally weighing upon you.
They cried out a holy voice to the heavens,
That noble voice of an unbreakable pledge,
To defeat that monster of blood,
That this servile yoke would disappear.
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Verse 2
The first sons of the soil,
Which Pichincha proudly adorns,
Declared you as their sovereign lady forever,
And shed their blood for you.
God observed and accepted the holocaust,
And that blood was the prolific seed,
Of the other heroes whom the world in astonishment,
Saw rise up around you by the thousands More

THIS year’s host nation, Qatar, will compete in the World Cup for the first ever time and we’ve been taking a look at what the team will sing before games.The Middle Eastern country will be joined by the likes of Netherlands and Senegal in Group A.
Players of Qatar line up for the national anthem prior to the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Qatar and United Arab EmiratesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Almoez Ali is expected to be responsible for scoring the goals in QatarCredit: AP
Whilst they are not favourites for the competition, Qatar’s recent win of the 2019 Asian Cup will give the team confidence of progressing to the knockout stages.
Their campaign gets underway against Ecuador in the opening game of the tournament.
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What are the lyrics to Qatar’s national anthem?
The anthem, named as-Salam al-Amiri, translates to ‘Peace to the Amir’ in English, meaning prince.
Here’s what the whole anthem means.
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Verse 1
Swearing by God who erected the sky,
Swearing by God who spread the light,
Qatar will always be free,
Sublimed by the souls of the sinceres,
Proceed thou on the manners of the ascendants,
And advance on Prophet’s guidance
Chorus
In my heart,
Qatar is an epic of glory and dignity,
Qatar is land of the early men,
Who protect us at a time of distress,
Doves they can be at times of peace,
Warriors they are at times of sacrifice
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GIANNI INFANTINO has been in charge of FIFA since 2016, when he took over from Sepp Blatter.The Italian, who was re-elected in 2019, will be the face of Qatar and responsible for making sure the tournament runs smoothly in the Middle East.
Britain Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Gianni Infantino during a working lunch at the G20 SummitCredit: Reuters
The 52-year-old is the ninth president of FIFA, rising to the position 16 years after joining UEFA.
Despite former president Blatter labelling the Qatar World Cup as a mistake, Infantino insists that the tournament will be a success when it all gets underway in a few days time.
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Who is Leena Al Ashqar?
Infantino is married to Leena Al Ashqar, a woman of Lebanese heritage.
The pair are thought to have met in the early 2000s when Leena worked for the Lebanese Football Federation.
Gianni Infantino is congratulated by his wife after winning the FIFA presidential election in 2016Credit: AFP – Getty
The couple share four daughters together, and live in Qatar’s capital Doha, after relocating last year.
Their youngest daughter, Dhalia Nora, became ill at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
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It was reported that she needed to have an emergency operation to treat her appendicitis.
Infantino, who was with his wife at the time, is said to have been very grateful to the hospital in St Petersburg.

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THE biggest tournament in football is upon us where 32 countries will battle it out for World Cup glory, yet some household names won’t feature in Qatar.One of those is Manchester City star Erling Haaland who will be watching the action from home.
Haaland broke the Premier League record for most goals scored in the first 10 Premier League matches, with two games to spareCredit: Getty
He has scored three Premier League hat-tricks already this seasonCredit: Reuters
Haaland has hit the ground running in Manchester, scoring 18 goals since his arrival in the Premier League, including a hat-trick against rivals Manchester United.
The 22-year-old has also netted 21 goals in 23 matches for his national side, but won’t be able to extend that record at the World Cup.
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Why isn’t Haaland playing at the World Cup?
Haaland is unable to play in Qatar because Norway did not qualify for the tournament.
The Scandinavian side finished third in their group, five points behind leaders Netherlands, who they were unable to beat in their final qualifying bout.
Haaland finished joint top scorer of Norway’s Nations League groupCredit: Reuters
Haaland was unavailable for the game which ultimately proved costly.
Despite their failure to qualify, the ex-Dortmund man still managed to notch five goals for his country, which he insisted was below par.
Fellow Norwegian Martin Odegaard will also miss out, with the Arsenal captain getting a well earned rest.
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An optimistic loan approach for Haaland by non-league Ashton United sent social media into frenzy recently.
But the offer was promptly turned down by the reigning Champions, meaning Haaland will have to wait until Boxing Day to get back on the pitch.

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QATAR is just around the corner and Wales fans will be getting ready to cheer on their nation at a World Cup for the first time in 64 years.The Dragons’ campaign gets underway against USA with plenty of supporters expected to wear their eye-catching bucket hats.
The bucket hats have become a symbol of Welsh prideCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 to qualify for the World CupCredit: Reuters
Despite success at the Euros, reaching the semi-finals in 2016, Qatar marks a new territory for many Welsh fans, having never seen their country compete at the World Cup.
Those fortunate enough to have been in Sweden during 1958, will recall their last appearance in the competition.
The match saw them fall short against five-time winners Brazil in the quarter finals. A certain teenager named Pele got the winner that day.
Fast forward to 2022, Wales are back and fans won’t go unnoticed in Qatar.
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Why do Wales fans wear bucket hats?
The vibrant yellow, green and red bucket hat has become an iconic symbol of Welsh football, worn by thousands of fans across the country.
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The hat was originally created by Tim Williams, a small shop owner from Bala, Gwynedd.
His company, named Spirit of 58′, referencing Wales’ last appearance at the tournament was created in order “to bring a bit of colour and fun” to matches.
Following Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016, sales sky-rocketed and Williams had to quit his day job, donating all of his time to the hats’ production.
A giant bucket hat has been put on display in Cardiff ahead of the World CupCredit: Getty
Today, the company sells all sorts of clobber, including socks depicting cult-hero Hal Robson-Kanu.
The hats can be spotted at every Wales game, and represent the teams’ bold and defiant attitude.
They are particularly useful for fans to recognise fellow Welsh supporters from a mile off.
In addition to their striking appearance, the headgear will also provide some valuable protection from the Qatar heat.

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