Explainers

GERMANY’s Hansi Flick is one of the most highly rated managers in world football after an incredibly successful spell at Bayern Munich.However, his time in Munich came to an abrupt end just a year after completing a historic treble at the club.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 23: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been altered: vignette has been added.) Head Coach Hansi Flick looks on prior the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Germany and Hungary at Red Bull Arena on September 23, 2022 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty […]Credit: Getty
Departing for the national team, Flick is taking charge of his first World Cup for his country after serving as assistant manager in the past.
But the question remains – why did he leave Bayern Munich to take over at Germany?
read more world cup
Why did Hansi Flick leave Bayern Munich?
Back in April 2021, Bayern Munich confirmed that Flick requested to have his contract terminated two years before it was due to expire as he looked to take over Germany.
Hansi Flick during his time at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
Despite their being no official reasoning for Flick’s Bayern Munich departure, the manager opted to take the opportunity to replace Joachim Low at the national team.
Rumours surrounded the Bundesliga side, stating that his relationship with the club and sporting director Hasal Salihamidzic in particular, was strained.
Most read in Football
Further reports stated that the sale of Thiago Alacantra was not passed by Flick while he also wished to keep David Alaba at the club.
Speaking after his departure, Flick hinted at his disappointment with recruitment as he said: “We had a team last year that was quality-wise better than this year, everyone knows that.”
Furthermore, Flick had always dreamed of the Germany job and it appears that the availability of this came at the perfect time for the manager, handing him the opportunity to depart Bayern Munich and walk into a new role. More

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.
Qatar has been hit with World Cup fever
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.
read more world cup
Who will miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?
The likes of Erling Haaland and Mohamed 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.
Egypt’s Mohamed Sala , reacts after failing to score his penalty kick against Senegal during the World Cup 2022 Africa play-off matchCredit: AP
Argentina
AS Roma star Paulo Dybala could be set to miss the World Cup after suffering 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”.
He could be joined on the sidelines by teammates Joaquin Correa, who is doubtful for the tournament due to a knee injury and veteran Angel Di Maria, who sustained a thigh problem.
Australia
The Socceroos will be likely be without Kye Rowles after he broke his foot, while Harry Southar was doubtful but is in line for a return for Stoke City before the tournament so could be called up.
Belgium
Alexis Saelemaekers is set to miss the tournament as the AC Milan star was ruled out for the remainder of 2022 after picking up a serious knee injury, seeing him out of action between six and eight weeks.
Paulo Dybala will miss the World Cup with 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.
Cameroon
As it stands, Cameroon have a fully fit squad going into the World Cup as they look to impress at the tournament.
Canada
Like Cameroon, the Canadians are without any injury concerns.
Costa Rica
The South Americans go into the tournament also with a fully fit squad.
Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo, on loan from Juventus, will miss the World Cup
Croatia
Marcelo Brozovic has faced a spell out with injury but if thought to be fit enough for selection despite his hamstring issues.
Denmark
Andreas Christensen has faced three weeks on the sidelines for Barcelona with an ankle injury but should be back in time to travel to Qatar.
Ecuador
Joao Rojas has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, while teammates Gonzalo Plata and Robert Arbeloda are also doubtful.
England
Kalvin Phillips and Emile Smith Rowe will be unavailable for selection after surgeries on shoulder and groin injuries respectively.
Reece James is expected to miss the tournament also, with Chelsea ruling their defender out for eight weeks as Kyle Walker could also miss the World Cup to Southgate’s blow.
Man City pair Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker are likely to be out of the England squad after requiring surgery
France
Boubacar Kamara will not be seen in Qatar after suffering a knee injury, while there are a host of doubts for the French national team.
Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez, N’Golo Kante and Presnel Kimpembe are all doubtful to make the tournament as France may have to dive into their depth if they are to make it to the latter stages of the tournament.
Paul Pogba has handed Didier Deschamps’ men a boost as he is set to return for Juventus.
Germany
Marco Reus was close to World Cup heartbreak after an ankle injury at Borussia Dortmund but could still make the tournament as Florian Wirtz faces a race against time to recover from an ACL issue.
Ghana
Ghana have no injury concerns heading into the World Cup.
Iran
Striker Sardar Azmoun is said to be a doubt after sustaining a calf injury while Allahyar Sayyadmanesh faces a race against time to return for England’s Group B rivals.
N’Golo Kante has suffered another injury setback for Chelsea
Japan
Former Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi has been ruled out with an ACL injury while another former Gunner Takuma Asano remains a doubt alongside Ko Itakura, both with knee problems.
Mexico
Jesus Corona will be out of the tournament after breaking his leg while Wolves striker Raul Jimenez faces a race against time to return.
Netherlands
Former Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum will miss the World Cup with a broken leg while Matthijs de Ligt remains a doubt with a groin injury.
Poland
Brighton’s Jakub Moder will miss the tournament with an ACL injury while Pawel Dawidowicz remains doubtful.
Jesus Corona is another big name absentee for the World Cup
Portugal
Portugal have been hit hard as Diogo Jota is the latest confirmed absentee for the tournament.
Pedro Neto and Ricardo Periera are also unavailable through injury. Nuno Mendes and Pepe are also doubts going into the tournament.
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
There is a double blow for the African side as Bouna Sarr is out with a knee injury and Keita Balde is banned due to an anti-doping violation.
read more world cup
Serbia
Ivan Ilicic and Darko Lazovic are both doubts for the World Cup due to muscular problems.
South Korea
South Korea have no fresh injury concerns heading into the tournament.
Spain
Luis Enrique’s side could be without duo Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal as they remain doubts heading into the World Cup.
Switzerland
The Swiss go into the competition with a fresh squad and no injury concerns.
Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal will hope to return in time for Spain
Tunisia
Tunisia are optimistic, with no absentees as of now.
United States
Miles Robinson’s achilles injury has put him as a doubt ahead of November but the rest of the squad are fit as they hope to fire the USMNT to glory this winter.
Uruguay
Ronald Araujo is one of the latest Barcelona players to be struck by injury, with his groin issue ruling him out for Uruguay.
Wales
England’s final group stage opponents, Wales, have a fully fit side as they look to cause an upset in Qatar.
Most read in Football More

CAMEROON are competing at the 2022 World Cup and will look to progress to the knockout rounds.Having qualified for six World Cups previously, the African giants will be hopeful of going further than any of their continental rivals in Qatar.
Rigobert Song’s side will be hopeful of qualifying for the later rounds as they face Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland in Group G.
Vincent Aboubakar will be hoping to fire Cameroon to World Cup gloryCredit: AFP
It will be a tough task for the Indomitable Lions, with the Africans hoping to live up to their nickname and show heart during the tournament.
Read More World Cup
Why are Cameroon called the Indomitable Lions?
Teams around the globe all have their own nicknames for their sporting teams, but none are quite as impressive as that of Cameroon.
The African giants are known as the Indomitable Lions, a name so recognisable in African football as they competed at the very top.
Cameroon in action against South Korea in a World Cup warm-up matchCredit: AFP
Sharing a similar name to the Three Lions of England, Cameroon were previously nicknamed the Lions in a nod to the animal which lives mostly in the north of Cameroon.
However, in 1972, the country’s national team nickname was changed as the word indomitable was added to the beginning of their name.
Most read in Sport
By definition, indomitable means “impossible to subdue or defeat” and president Ahmadou Ahidjo decided to add this to the beginning of their nickname in order to make the team more recognisable and impressive.
Perhaps this paid off, with Africa Cup of Nations victories coming in 1988, 2000 and 2002 in a period of dominance for the Indomitable Lions. More