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      in Soccer

      Which teams have qualified for World Cup 2022? Lionel Messi and Argentina join England in Qatar after Chile defeat

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      ENGLAND have qualified for the World Cup after hammering San Marino 10-0 to finish top of Group I.The winners of each group advance to the Qatar World Cup, with the second-placed teams heading to the play-offs before fans can think about booking their tickets.
      Gareth Southgate’s England are on the brink of advancing to Qatar
      And that means Italy and Portugal are not yet certain of their spot in the Gulf next November after failing to win their groups.
      But Lionel Messi will be there after Argentina’s 0-0 draw with Brazil proved enough for a World Cup place as Chile were beaten by Ecuador.
      Who has qualified for the World Cup 2022?
      Three teams have so far qualified for the World Cup 2022.

      Qatar (as hosts/ had taken part in UEFA Group A)
      Germany (UEFA Group J winners)
      Denmark (UEFA Group F winners)
      Brazil (CONMEBOL top four)
      Serbia (UEFA Group A winners)
      Spain (UEFA Group B winners)
      France (UEFA Group D winners)
      Belgium (UEFA Group E winners)
      Netherlands (UEFA Group G winners
      Croatia (UEFA Group H winners)
      Switzerland (UEFA Group C winners)
      England (UEFA Group I winners)
      Argentina (CONMEBOL top four)

      How do the play-offs work?
      Joining the 10 second-placed teams in the play-offs are the two highest-ranked teams from the Nations League who have not already qualified or finished in a runners-up spot (currently Wales and Austria).
      And the play-offs for this World Cup are tougher than ever before.
      Rather than the traditional two-legged format, the 2022 World Cup campaign sees the 12 teams put into three paths of four teams, with each path consisting of two one-legged semi-finals and a final.
      The unprecedented Qatar World Cup takes place from November 21 to December 18, 2022. More

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      When is World Cup 2022 play-off draw? Date, UK start time, stream, TV channel for Scotland, Portugal, Italy & all teams

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      AFTER a streamlined qualifying campaign this year, a number of countries have already booked their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Gareth Southgate’s England can already look forward to being at the first ever winter edition of the tournament, which gets underway on November 21 next year.

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      Ronaldo and Portugal head into the play-offs after Serbia stunned them in LisbonCredit: AFP
      For teams who finished second in European qualifying groups though, they now face the tough task of going through the play-offs to guarantee their place in the Finals.
      When is World Cup play-off draw?

      The draw for the play-off stage will be held at Fifa HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
      It will take place on Friday, November 26.
      Things get underway at 4pm GMT.
      To follow all the ties as they are drawn, join us here on SunSport where we will be running a live blog.

      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      As yet, a TV channel for the draw has not been confirmed in the UK.
      But you will be able to live stream it on Fifa’s official website.
      Coverage will begin at 4pm.

      Which teams are involved?
      The draw will include ten nations who finished as runners up in qualifying, as well as two Nations League group winners who missed out on a spot in their respective group.
      Just three sides will make it through the play-offs and play at the 2022 World Cup from the twelve who enter the play-off stage.
      The teams in the hat are:
      Seeded:

      Portugal
      Italy
      Scotland
      Russia
      Sweden
      Wales

      Unseeded

      Austria
      North Macedonia
      Turkey
      Poland
      Ukraine
      Czech Republic

      Who can Scotland and Wales play?
      Scotland and Wales can be drawn at home to any of the six unseeded teams in the semi-final, who they will play at home.
      In the final, they can be drawn home or away to the winner of any of the other five ties.
      The only teams who cannot meet each other in either the semi-final or final are Russia and Ukraine, who asked to be kept apart due to the conflict in Ukraine’s Donbass region. More

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      in Boxing

      Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter: Date, UK start time, TV channel, live stream and undercard for huge welterweight fight

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      TERENCE CRAWFORD defends his WBO welterweight crown in a potentially career-defining clash against Shawn Porter.Fighting for the first time in over a year, Bud puts his unbeaten 37-0 record on the line in Sin City against former WBC champion Showtime.

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      Crawford returns for the first time since beating Kell Brook in November 2020Credit: Getty
      Crawford is regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, but has struggled to lure the very best welterweights into the ring since stepping up from 140lbs.
      Porter represents that challenge and it promises to be a hugely exciting showdown in Las Vegas, with titles and reputations on the line.
      When is Crawford vs Porter?

      This blockbuster world title clash will be held on Saturday, November 20.
      It will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning here in the UK.
      Expect the main event around 8pm Vegas time, which is 4am on this side of the Atlantic.

      Porter is confident he can spring a surprise and take the WBO beltCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      In a big boost for fight fans, this showdown is NOT a pay-per-view event in the UK.
      The full evening’s entertainment – including the main card – will be shown on Sky Sports Arena and Main Event.
      Coverage will start at 2am GMT.
      To stream, download the Sky Go app if you’re a Sky customer and watch on a number of devices.
      While non-subscriber can get a NOW TV pass from £9.99, with the fight then available on your mobile, tablet, PC, games console or smart TV.

      Who is fighting on the undercard?

      Terence Crawford vs Shawn Porter (WBO welterweight title)
      Esquiva Falcao vs Patrice Volny (middleweight)
      Janibek Alimkhanuly vs Hassan N’Dam (middleweight)
      Raymond Muratalla vs Steven Ortiz (lightweight)

      What they said
      Terence Crawford: “I want to be the best fighter in the world. Simple. I feel like I’m already there, but I have to prove it to the world and it starts with Porter.
      “I wasn’t looking to fight Shawn Porter when I stepped up into the welterweight division.
      “But being that he’s one of the top welterweights in the world, here we are and I’m looking forward to it.”

      Shawn Porter: “He’ll have his mind where it needs to be when the fight starts, but I expect to make [things] as easy as can be.
      “Simply put, Terence has met his match. It’s not up to me to say things to convince anybody of that.”
      Fight odds

      Crawford to win – 1/7
      Porter win – 4/1
      Crawford by KO/TKO – 7/4
      Porter by KO/TKO – 17/2
      Crawford on points – 5/6
      Porter on points – 13/2
      Fight to go the distance – 4/7

      *All odds from Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      in Boxing

      Vasyl Lomachenko vs Richard Commey: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel and undercard for Ukrainian’s return

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      VASYL LOMACHENKO makes his return to the ring in a cracker of a fight with Ghanaian lightweight Richard Commey. Loma last fought in the summer, dominating and stopping Masayoshi Yakatani in just nine rounds, eight months on from his loss to Teofimo Lopez.
      Vasyl Lomachenko stopped Masayoshi Nakatani in their June clashCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      Lopez beat Lomchenko on points in October 2020 to win the WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles, but now the Ukrainian is on a warpath as he sets out to get his belts back.
      And his next stop is Commey, who was knocked out by Lopez in the second round of their clash back in December 2019.
      When is Vasyl Lomachenko vs Richard Commey?

      Vasyl Lomachenko’s return to action against Richard Commey will take place on Saturday, December 11.
      The bout will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
      There will be a sold-out capacity crowd of 17,000 inside the arena for the match-up.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
      Lomachenko vs Commey will be shown live on Sky Sports Arena in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go app, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      Lomachenko vs Commey FULL CARD

      Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Richard Commey (12 rounds – lightweight)
      Jared Anderson vs. Oleksandr Teslenko (8 rounds – heavyweight)
      Xander Zayas vs. TBA (6 or 8 rounds – super-welterweight)
      Nico Ali Walsh vs. TBA (4 rounds – middleweight)

      What have they said?
      Lomachenko said: “It is always special when I fight at Madison Square Garden, where so many great moments in my career have taken place.
      “Richard Commey is a former world champion, an opponent I will not underestimate. I expect the best version of Commey, and I will be prepared for whatever he brings on December 11.”
      “It is only fitting that the great Lomachenko headlines boxing’s highly anticipated return to Madison Square Garden,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
      “However, Richard Commey can never be counted out, as he’s a tough fighter who carries huge power in both hands.” More

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      in Soccer

      When is World Cup 2022 play-off draw? Date, TV channel, live stream and teams including Scotland, Portugal and Italy

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      AFTER a streamlined qualifying campaign this year, a number of nations have already booked their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Gareth Southgate’s England can already look forward to being at the first ever winter edition of the tournament, which gets underway on November 21 next year.

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      Ronaldo and Portugal head into the play-offs after Serbia stunned them in LisbonCredit: AFP
      For teams who finished second in European qualifying groups though, they now face the tough task of going through the play-offs to guarantee their place in the Finals.
      When is World Cup play-off draw?

      The draw for the play-off stage will be held at Fifa HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
      It will take place on Friday, November 26.
      Things get underway at 4pm GMT.
      To follow all the ties as they are drawn, join us here on SunSport where we will be running a live blog.

      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      As yet, a TV channel for the draw has not been confirmed in the UK.
      But you will be able to live stream it on Fifa’s official website.
      Coverage will begin at 4pm.

      Which teams are involved?
      The draw will include ten nations who finished as runners up in qualifying, as well as two Nations League group winners who missed out on a spot in their respective group.
      Just three sides will make it through the play-offs and play at the 2022 World Cup from the twelve who enter the play-off stage.
      So far, the teams in the hat are:

      Scotland
      Portugal
      Italy
      Russia
      Sweden
      Poland
      Wales
      North Macedonia

      The remaining two sides from the World Cup qualifying groups will be decided on Tuesday, November 16. More

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      World Cup 2022 qualifying play-offs fixtures and dates: Who will Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Wales play?

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      MORE and more teams who will participate at the Qatar World Cup are becoming known, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are not yet one of them.The Euro 2016 champions were beaten by a last minute Aleksandar Mitrovic header as they went down 2-1 at home to Serbia.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will have to take the play-off route if he is to play in the Qatar World CupCredit: Getty
      Italy join Portugal in the World Cup play-offsCredit: Pacemaker
      That means they will now have to overcome both a play-off semi-final and final in order to make it to Qatar.
      And to make matters worse for Ronaldo and co, they have been joined by current European champions Italy.
      The Italians were unable to find a way past Northern Ireland, meaning Switzerland progressed to the World Cup as group winners.
      When are the World Cup qualifying play-offs?
      The World Cup qualifying play-offs will take place during the next international break, which will be held from March 24 to March 29, 2022.
      Twelve teams will enter the play-offs – the ten runners-up from World Cup qualifying plus the best placed Nations League group winners to have not yet qualified.
      However, just THREE will advance to the World Cup.
      The draw for the play-offs will be held on November 26 and will see the six best placed teams in World Cup qualifying handed home semi-final ties.
      That draw will also decide who will play who in the three finals.
      Gareth Bale and Wales will feature in the World Cup play-offsCredit: PA
      Could Italy play Portugal?
      Italy and Portugal will avoid each other in the play-off semi-finals as both finished among the six best group winners, meaning a home semi.
      However, there is nothing to stop them playing each other in the final.
      Which teams are in the World Cup qualifying play-offs and who is at home?
      Here’s how the teams line up so far.
      Home semi-finalists

      Portugal
      Russia
      Italy
      Scotland

      Away semi-finalists

      North Macedonia
      Austria

      TBC

      Wales
      Czech Republic
      Sweden

      The play-off entrants from two groups have yet to be decided.
      In Group D, Ukraine need to win in Bosnia and hope Finland fail to beat France at home if they are to make the play-offs. France have already qualified for the World Cup.
      In Group G, Netherlands, Turkey and Norway could all end up in first, second or third place.

      Are there any other World Cup qualifying play-offs?
      Yes. The inter-confederation play-offs will take place under the usual two-legged format.
      This will see the winner of Oceania qualifying, fourth place in North American qualifying, fifth place in South American qualifying and the best third place in the two Asian qualifying groups drawn into two two-legged ties.
      The two winners of their ties will qualify for the World Cup.
      In African qualifying the ten group winners will advance to to two-legged continental play-offs.
      The five winners of those African ties will then advance to Qatar. More

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      in Boxing

      Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams: Date, UK start time, TV channel, live stream and undercard info

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      CHRIS EUBANK JR is stepping into the lion’s den as he takes on Welsh middleweight Liam Williams in Cardiff. Next Gen has fought twice so far in 2021, seeing off Marcus Morrison and Wanik Awdijan as he looks to build towards Gennady Golovkin and a world title shot.

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      Credit: Getty
      Williams meanwhile got his chance at the WBO middleweight crown in the summer, but fell on the wrong side of an unanimous decision against Demetrius Andrade.
      This will be the Welshman’s first bout in Cardiff since 2018, where he scored an emphatic second round KO of Craig Nicholson.
      There is no love-lost between the two fighters and this Best of British fight could be one of the highlights of 2021.
      When is Eubank Jr vs Williams?

      This big domestic dust-up is set for Saturday, December 11.
      It will be held at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, which will house around 7,000 fight fans.
      The evening’s entertainment will start around 6pm, with the main event around 10pm GMT.

      Williams will be backed by a vociferous crowd in CardiffCredit: Getty
      Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
      You will be able to watch every jab, duck and upper-cut on Sky Sports Arena.
      Exact times are yet to be confirmed but it is likely the evening’s entertainment will broadcast from 7pm.
      If you’re not a Sky customer, you can watch by grabbing a NOW TV pass from £9.99.
      SunSport will be running a dedicated live blog for this fight, so you don’t miss any of the drama.

      Who else is fighting on the undercard?
      As yet, the final card is yet to be confirmed.
      But as of November 16, here’s how things are looking for fight night in the Welsh capital:

      Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Williams (middleweight)
      Claressa Shields vs Ema Kozin (women’s WBC, WBA, IBF, WBF middlweight title)
      Samuel Antwi vs Conah Walker (BBBofC English welterweight title)
      Rhys Edwards vs TBC
      Bradley Rea vs TBC

      What they said
      Eubank Jr: “I’m no stranger to going into the lion’s den. I’ve been booed into arenas many times before.
      “It doesn’t affect me. If anything, it makes me fight harder, if the crowd is against me. Not to say that I’m hoping they are. I hope that I receive a warm welcome.
      “But either way, I’m going to go in there and get the job done.”
      Williams: “He’s a pretender. He just wants to make people believe that he’s at a certain level and everybody else is irrelevant and a no one, but the reality of it is he’s a clown.”
      “We both have a style where we want to be involved in good fights and we can’t help but be involved in them because we are both gutsy fighters.
      “The fans are going to be the winners.” More

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      in Soccer

      Is Georgia U21 vs England U21 on TV? Channel, live stream, teams and kick-off time for TODAY’S friendly clash

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      ENGLAND U21 visit Georgia as they look to stake their claim for a senior spot.Lee Carsley’s Young Lions head to the Caucasus off the back of a crucial 3-1 win at home to Czech Republic to put them back into the Euro U21 qualifying mix.
      England U21 are looking to continue their good form in GeorgiaCredit: Getty
      Georgia meanwhile have already qualified for the 2023 tournament as co-hosts and will look to gain crucial experience in this friendly.
      What time does Georgia U21 vs England U21 kick off?

      Georgia U21 vs England U21 takes place on Tuesday, November 16.
      The match kicks off at 2pm UK time – 6pm in Georgia.

      What TV channel is Georgia U21 vs England U21 on and can I live stream it?

      England U21s’ match in Georgia will not be in television in the United Kingdom.

      Team news

      Latest odds
      Georgia 15/2
      Draw 15/4
      England 2/7
      *Odds from Betfair correct as of Monday, November 15 More