Explainers

ONE thing in common between every team at the 2022 World Cup is the inclusion of at least three goalkeepers in their squads.Gareth Southgate will be hoping that he can lead England to glory in Qatar but after a poor run of form leading up to the tournament, the Three Lions are no longer favourites.
England will once again take three goalkeepers to the World CupCredit: PA
Defeat to Italy, who did not qualify for the tournament this year, and a draw to Germany were the final matches for England ahead of their trip to Qatar this winter.
If they are to overturn their form and find success at the World Cup, England must beat the best of the best and all of these teams have one thing in common – the fact that three goalkeepers are included in their squads.
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Why do teams have to bring three goalkeepers to the World Cup?
Teams seem to always bring three goalkeeping options to the World Cup and with an increased option of 26-player squads in 2022 this will remain the same.
While it makes logical sense to have three goalkeepers in a squad in case one of the first two choices pick up an injury and leave the squad with no cover, the trend is enforced.
USA made the semi-finals of the first World Cup despite naming just one goalkeeper in their squadCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Introduced in 1934, a FIFA rule stated that three members of each squad must be goalkeepers.
This was after USA went to the inaugural World Cup in 1930 with just one goalkeeper – the man who kept the first clean sheet in the tournament’s history.
The rule remains in place, as ahead of the 2022 World Cup, FIFA stated among their list of rules: “Three players must be goalkeepers”.
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Therefore, we will once again see each squad have at least three goalkeepers included as 32 teams search for World Cup glory.
On one occasion, North Korea’s coach tried to bypass this rule by naming striker Kim Myong-won as their third choice goalkeeper in 2010 before FIFA informed the country that he would only be allowed to play if he was between the sticks.
Unfortunately, Myong-won wasn’t given the opportunity to show his skills in goal. More

ENGLAND will be hoping to bring the World Cup home when Gareth Southgate’s side travel to Qatar in November,The England boss is set to name his World Cup squad with plenty of time to go before the tournament starts.
Harry Kane is one dead cert in England’s World Cup squad, if he avoids injuryCredit: Getty
England were among the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar, but a recent horror run of results has seen the Three Lions slide down the reckoning.
However, Harry Kane and Co would have had the perfect send off had they completed an incredible comeback against Germany.
Here is all you need to know about when England will name their squad and what to expect…
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What date will Gareth Southgate name England’s 2022 World Cup squad?
The England squad for the tournament will be named on Thursday, October 20.
This will give Southgate 30 days to prep his squad for the tournament, where they will play Iran, USA and Wales in Group B.
England are not playing any warm-up games for the tournament, so the defeat to Italy and draw to Germany were the last matches the Three Lions played before the tournament.
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How many players can be named in a World Cup squad?
All 32 World Cup managers can name 23 to 26 players in their squads.
The deadline for the World Cup squad announcements is November 13, 2022. More

QATAR host the 2022 World Cup in what promises to be an entertaining affair this winter.Brazil, France and England are the frontrunners to win the whole thing, with 2018 finalists Croatia are considered an outsider.
Qatar has been hit by World Cup feverCredit: Reuters
Gareth Southgate’s men will have to overcome Iran, the USMNT and Wales if they are to stand any chance of success, while Brazil face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in the group.
There is a chance that teams will finish level on points in the group stages, seeing their fates decided on goal difference – but what happens if their goal difference and goals scored are identical too?
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What happens if teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?
If teams finish level on points at the end of the group stage, the decision on who goes through will be decided as the team who scored the most goals out of those in question would progress.
However, there is a chance that teams will finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored during the tournament in Qatar with a tight group stage expected.
If this happens, there is a set of criteria that will be followed, with head-to-head coming into play as well as the potential of fair play points being utilised.
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The criteria is as follows:

Points obtained in the matches played between the teams level on point
Goal difference in the matches played between the teams level on points
Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams level on points
Fair play points in all group matches

The fair play point deductions are as follows (only one deduction can be applied to a player in a single match):

Yellow card: -1 point
Indirect (second yellow) red card: -3 points
Direct red card: -4 points
Yellow card and later a direct red card: -5 points

Have teams ever finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?
Teams have finished level on all three variables once in World Cup history, and it came pretty recently.
Japan progressed ahead of Senegal despite finishing level on points and goals scored in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Senegal and Japan both finished on four points in Group H as Russia hosted the tournament with an identical goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded against each other after the criteria was followed.
However, Japan progressed due to amassing more fair play points than the Africa nation. The Japanese saw a deduction of -4 in comparison to Senegal’s -6 points, seeing them through to the knockouts. More

CANADA enter unfamiliar territory as they compete in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year.John Herdman’s side earned the right to play on the biggest stage of international football after qualifying.
Alphonso Davies will be playing in his first World Cup for CanadaCredit: Getty
Thrashing Jamaica 4-0 on the penultimate day of CONCACAF qualifying, Canada ensured that they would make it to the tournament in Qatar.
They will now be hopeful of making it through a tough group, facing Belgium, Croatia and Morocco before the knock-out stages.
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When did Canada last qualify for the World Cup?
The Maple Leafs have only ever qualified for the World Cup once before reaching the finals in Qatar.
The last time Canada played at the World Cup dates back to 1986 in MexicoCredit: Getty
To find the last time the nation made it to the World Cup, you have to go back to 1986 as Mexico hosted the tournament 36 years ago.
Despite qualifying unbeaten, racking up five wins and three losses, Canada had a disappointing tournament and went crashing out at the group stages with three losses.
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They will be looking to improve on this but face a tough task in their group against highly rated Belgium and 2018 finalists Croatia as well as Morocco.
Canada will make it consecutive World Cup appearances for the first time in their history, having already qualified for the 2026 tournament as a co-host alongside the USA and Mexico. More

CANADA goalkeeper Milan Borjan has been a constant in the national side for over a decade now.With the Canadians only playing at one World Cup in their history, the 2022 tournament marks the second occasion that they participate in the competition.
Milan Borjan celebrates for Red Star Belgrade in Europa League actionCredit: Reuters
Englishman John Herdman led his side to qualification after joining in 2018 after a successful seven years with the Canada women’s team.
And Herdman will look to his experienced goalkeeper to lead Canada as they face Belgium, Croatia and Morocco in Group F.
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Who is Milan Borjan and is he from Croatia?
Matchday two of the tournament will hold significant relevance to Borjan as Canada take on Croatia to battle for a place in the round of 16 in Qatar.
The 34-year-old made his debut for Canada back in 2011, initially receiving a call-up to the national team in 2010 and being a staple of Canucks ever since.
Milan Borjan receives medical attention for Canada against UruguayCredit: Reuters
However, Borjan was in fact born in Croatia, Canada’s Group F opponents.
Born in Knin, the goalkeeper began playing with Dinara Knin’s youth side before his family fled to Belgrade in Serbia. From here, Borjan’s talents were spotted as he played for FK Radnicki Beograd.
Once again, his family relocated as they emigrated to Canada in 2000, with the goalkeeper just 13-years-old.
Milan Borjan has come up against opponents such as Liverpool’s Mohamed SalahCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Living in Canada, Borjan played for East Hamilton SC before moving to Mount Hamilton SC as a youngster and searching for his break in professional football.
After being rejected by Boca Juniors after a trial in Argentina in 2005, Borjan joined Club Nacional in Uruguay, playing for their youth team a year later.
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His first professional contract came with another South American side, Quilmes in Argentina, but he was only at the club for a matter of months before returning to Serbia to join FK Rad, where he first earned a national call-up for Canada rather than his country of birth, Croatia.
The goalkeeper enjoyed a spell at Turkish side Sivasspor, as well as Ludogrets, and currently ply’s his trade in Serbia at Red Star Belgrade where he has played in the UEFA Champions League.
The World Cup will be the highest level that the shot-stopper has played at, with the Canada international looking to make history in what could be his first and only tournament. More