Explainers

THE World Cup is upon us, and Gareth Southgate has a large pool of talented players to choose from, but could teenage superstar Yunus Musah have been one of them?Each country is allowed to bring 26 players on the plane to Qatar with the England manager yet to announce his final selection as he looks to whittle down a 55-man preliminary squad.
Yunus Musah playing for Valencia CFCredit: Alamy
Players in contention will be hoping to impress in their final club matches before the tournament gets underway on November 21.
Some players, such as Yunus Musah, had the option to play for more than one country at Qatar.
Who is Yunus Musah?
Yunus Musah is a 19-year-old USA midfielder who plays for La Liga side Valencia.
Musah started his career at Arsenal but was moved on in 2019 after seven years at the academy.

The wonder-kid has since made over 80 appearances for ‘Los Che’ and become the youngest non-Spanish player to score for the club.
The Gunners may regret letting the creative midfielder leave North London, as might England.
Yunus Musah was at Arsenal for seven years before moving to SpainCredit: Getty – Contributor
Could he have played for England?
Musah was born in New York, where his mum was on holiday at the time.
He then moved to Italy with his Ghanaian parents until the age of nine, before residing in London.
Musah represented England at several U21 levelsCredit: Getty

Musah represented England at under 15, U16, U17 and U18 level, captaining the Young Lions along the way.
But in 2020, the USA snapped him up for the national side. Musah now looks set to play against England in the group stages.
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CHICHARITO burst onto the scene at the 2010 World Cup but 12 years later, Javier Hernandez will not put on the Mexico shirt in Qatar.The forward, who spends his days playing in Los Angeles for the LA Galaxy, was most known for his impressive goal scoring record at Manchester United.
Javier Hernandez celebrating for LA GalaxyCredit: The Mega Agency
Since then, he featured for the likes of Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham and Sevilla and maintained his place in the Mexico squad for the majority of his career.
However, he is not at the 2022 World Cup despite making over 100 appearances for Mexico.
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Why isn’t Javier Hernandez playing for Mexico?
Scoring 18 goals in the MLS season as LA Galaxy finished fourth in the Western Conference, Chicharito had an impressive season in North America.
However, this was not enough to earn a recall to the Mexico national team squad for the 2022 World Cup.
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Instead, Henry Martin, Santiago Gimenez, Rogelio Funes Mori, RAul Jimenez and Alexis Vega have been named in attack.
The most shocking inclusion is that of Wolves striker Jimenez, who has only made three appearances all season after suffering a long-term injury.
Speaking earlier in the year, Mexico head coach Tata Martino opened up on the future of Chicharito with his national team, stating: “In the case of Chicharito, we are simply going with other centre forwards.
“We will try to choose the 26 players who are closest to our game.” More

THE World Cup trophy is the most sought-after prize for many players and the tournament only comes around every four years.Even just being a part of the tournament is an experience of a lifetime.
Kylian Mbappe donated all of his World Cup earnings to charity in 2018Credit: AFP
Although they are generally thought to play for pride, players in at the Qatar World Cup will also be paid for their services.
However, the money you earn totally depends on the country you represent.
How much do players get paid at the World Cup?
Every nation will be paid a different match fee, though significantly less than what players earn in the Premier League.
However, individual players may be able to fill their pockets through bonuses.

Australia are reportedly set to pay each of their players £128,000 with an extra £164,000 to be awarded if they reach the knockout stages.
We know that England players are given a standard match fee in addition to bonuses for progressing in the tournament.
The French team were given £32million for winning the World Cup in 2018Credit: AFP
The FA paid £2,500 for every player that started a game at the 2014 World Cup, with the rest of the squad pocketing £1,500.
Four years later in Russia, England were set to win a further £5million if they lifted the World Cup – £215,000 per head – in addition to FIFA’s tournament prize money.
Although, since 2007, England players have been donating their salary to charity.
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QATAR’s World Cup will see the most famous names in world football face off against each other over November and December.
England will be hoping to bring home the trophy after reaching the semi-final stages in 2018 before suffering defeat to Croatia.
France’s Paul Pogba will be sadly absent in QatarCredit: AFP
The likes of Brazil, France, Spain and Germany will be standing in the way of Gareth Southgate’s men as the top-performing stars in football battle it out for international glory.
However, there are set to be many noticeable absences as the tournament approaches.
Here is a full list of absentees from Qatar, which SunSport will keep updated between now and November 20.
Argentina
AS Roma star Paulo Dybala suffered a freak injury against Lecce in October, with his boss Jose Mourinho, admitting: “The injury looks very bad. I’d say bad, but honestly after speaking with Paulo… I think very bad”.
However, he has now been named in the squad for the World Cup as his dream of playing in Qatar is still alive.
Paulo Dybala will miss the World Cup with injury

However, former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was not as lucky as he has to undergo surgery on a hamstring injury suffered in action for Villarreal, and will miss the tournament.
Australia
Kye Rowles has returned from a foot injury in time to make the squad, while Harry Souttar was doubtful but has also returned in time to play in Qatar.
Belgium
Alexis Saelemaekers is out for the World Cup, with the AC Milan star ruled out for the remainder of 2022 after picking up a serious knee injury.
Brazil
Liverpool loanee Arthur Melo has been ruled out of the tournament also, suffering a long-term muscular injury after failing to nail down a starting spot during the beginning of his spell in England.
Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo, on loan from Juventus, will miss the World Cup
Cameroon
As it stands, Cameroon have a fully fit squad going into the World Cup as they look to impress at the tournament.
Canada
Alphonso Davies has been named in the Canada squad despite an injury scare which put doubts over his participation.
He missed Bayern Munich’s last two matches heading into the tournament after sustaining a torn hamstring, but will hope to be ready to play for his country.
Alphonso Davies will be going to the World Cup with CanadaCredit: AP
Costa Rica
The Central Americans go into the tournament also with a fully fit squad.
Croatia
Marcelo Brozovic has faced a spell out with injury but has returned in time to be named in the Croatia squad.
Denmark
Andreas Christensen was the only doubt going into the World Cup but has recovered in time to make it into the Denmark team.
Ecuador
Joao Rojas has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, but Gonzalo Plata has made the squad after being doubtful.
England
Ben Chilwell will officially not be heading to Qatar due to sustaining a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
The defender had struggled with an ACL injury in the past and was substituted in the dying minutes, appearing in some discomfort before leaving the stadium on crutches.
Ben Chilwell was helped off by medical staff against Dinamo ZagrebCredit: Rex
While Chelsea teammate Reece James has been told that he will not make the cut despite being optimistic, with The Sun exclusively revealing that he has been informed of this after sustaining a long-term injury.
The England international took to Twitter to confirm his absence from the Qatar tournament, sharing his disappointment.
Emile Smith Rowe was also unavailable for selection after surgery earlier this year but there is good news for Kalvin Phillips who managed to book his spot on the plane.
Man City pair Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker are likely to be out of the England squad after requiring surgery
And fellow City teammate Kyle Walker has also made it onto Gareth Southgate’s 26-man list despite in the process of shaking off a hamstring injury.

France
Paul Pogba will miss out for France after undergoing knee surgery which has prevented him from playing since moving to Juventus in the summer.
While fellow midfield sensation N’Golo Kante will also not take to the biggest stage of them all, with the Chelsea star having undergone an operation on a hamstring injury.
N’Golo Kante has suffered another injury setback for Chelsea
Presnel Kimpembe did not make the squad after sustaining a hamstring injury which has seen him out for several weeks leading up to the tournament.
But Manchester United star Raphael Varane has been named in the World Cup squad despite going off in tears against Chelsea with an injury.
France announced their full squad as the injury-hit nation look to defend their World Cup crown in Qatar.
Germany
Marco Reus is officially out of the World Cup after picking up an ankle injury which saw him miss Borussia Dortmund’s last four Champions League games.
And he will join his German compatriot Timo Werner has been ruled out of the tournament due to sustaining the same problem in RB Leipzig’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ghana
Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott has been ruled out of the tournament with a finger injury, ending his World Cup dreams.
Iran
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh has missed out on the squad as the Hull City star looks to recover from injury.
Iran’s hopes will be relying on the fitness of ‘the Iranian Messi’ Sardar Azmoun, who has suffered with calf injuries this season but has still been named in the squad for England’s group rivals.
Al Wakrah midfielder Omid Ebrahimi picked up a groin injury and misses out on the squad.
Sardar Azmoun will be hoping to fire Iran to gloryCredit: AFP
Japan
Former Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi has been ruled out with an ACL injury while Yuta Nakayama will miss the World Cup too.
Damaging his Achilles tendon during Huddersfield’s match against Sunderland, he requires surgery and will not travel with his side to Qatar.
Mexico
Jesus Corona will be out of the tournament after Mexico confirmed an ankle injury will see him sidelined while Wolves striker Raul Jimenez will return from a long-term injury to play.
Having only made three appearances in the Premier League this season, Jimenez was named in Mexico’s World Cup squad ahead of Javier Hernandez and will be hoping of playing his part.
The striker has not been his usual self since fracturing his skull in 2020, but will look to put his injury woes behind him.
Jesus Corona is another big name absentee for the World Cup
Morocco
Marseille midfielder Amine Harit was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a serious knee injury, seeing him stretchered off for the French side against Monaco.
Netherlands
Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum will miss the World Cup with a broken leg while Matthijs de Ligt is on the plane despite a recent groin injury.
Poland
Brighton’s Jakub Moder will miss the tournament with an ACL injury while Pawel Dawidowicz is also out.
Portugal
Portugal have been hit hard as Diogo Jota is the latest confirmed absentee for the tournament.
Diogo Jota will miss the World Cup after being stretchered off for LiverpoolCredit: PA
Pedro Neto and Ricardo Periera are also unavailable through injury.
Qatar
Host nation Qatar will be without Abdullah Al-Ahrak due to a cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out of the home tournament.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia have a fully fit team heading into the competition.
Senegal
Sadio Mane was been ruled out through injury by Bayern Munich doctors.
However, the national side have opted to take the former Liverpool forward, with it remaining to be seen as to whether he will be fit to play in the tournament.
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Serbia
Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic has been named in Serbia’s squad despite an ankle injury, and will hope to be fit and firing for his side.
South Korea
Son Heung-min has confirmed that he will travel to the tournament with his country despite suffering a fracture around his eye, which required surgery just weeks before of the tournament.
Spain
Luis Enrique’s side are without Mikel Oyarzabal, who is recovering from injury ahead of the tournament.
The winger’s exclusion is one of the least surprising as Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, PSG’s Sergio Ramos and Liverpool’s Thiago all miss out despite being fit.
Ansu Fati has been named in the squad despite suffering a host of injuries over the last couple of seasons while Kepa Arrizabalaga is out of the team due to injury concerns.
Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal will hope to return in time for Spain
Switzerland
The Swiss go into the competition with a fresh squad and no injury concerns.
Tunisia
Tunisia are optimistic, with no absentees as of now.
United States
Miles Robinson’s Achilles injury has put him out of the World Cup but the rest of the USMNT are fit and ready to go.
Uruguay
Ronald Araujo was struck by injury, with his groin issue thought to have ruled him out of action.
However, Director of National Teams of the Uruguayan Football Association, Jorge Giordano, has provided a positive update, stating that they expect Araujo to be fit for Uruguay.
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Wales
England’s final group stage opponents, Wales, have a fully fit side as they look to cause an upset in Qatar.
Gareth Bale has had a few injury issues to deal with along the way, as has Aaron Ramsey, who is notoriously injury-prone.
Who else will miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
The likes of Erling Haaland and Mo Salah will not be making the trip to the Middle East, having failed to qualify with their countries, while Italy also will not feature at the tournament.
Alongside these noticeable absentees, other big names will miss out due to no fault of their own.
We have you covered with all the latest injury news ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, missing through injury. More