World Cup 2022

URUGUAY are two-time winners of the World Cup, but it’s been 72 years since they last lifted football’s biggest prize.Liverpool stars past and present in Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez are set to lead their charge in Qatar, which starts against South Korea.

South Korea will be hoping Son Heung-min is match fit after he suffered a fractured eye socket while in action for Tottenham earlier this month.
The Spurs star is expected to be ready in time to play against Uruguay.
The South Americans saw their 2018 campaign ended by eventual winners France in the quarter-finals, while South Korea have not made it out of the group stages since 2010.
Here, SunSport previews the Group H encounter.

How did they get there?
Uruguay: Booked their ticket to Qatar by finishing third behind Brazil and Argentina in South American qualifying.
Won eight out of their 18 games to be one of the four automatic qualifiers for the World Cup.
Qualification looked in danger until they won their last four games on the spin.
South Korea: Qualified for the World Cup after finishing second in their group during Asian qualifying.
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Finished two points behind Iran after winning seven, drawing two, and losing one of their ten games.
But qualification was never in doubt as they finished 11 points ahead of UAE in third.

What’s the form?
Uruguay: Lost just one out of nine games this calendar year – a 1-0 defeat to Iran back in September.
Won on their last appearance, a 2-0 victory over Canada, also in September.
Will come into the tournament full of confidence thanks to their impressive run of form in 2022.
South Korea: Also on a decent run of results, and are unbeaten in their last three games.
Warmed up for the tournament with a 1-0 friendly win over Iceland earlier this month.
Beat Cameroon and drew with Costa Rica in September.
Who are the managers?
Uruguay: Diego Alonso was named Uruguay boss in 2021 after he left David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
The 47-year-old was capped by his nation seven times as a player.
Diego Alonso is the man tasked with leading Uruguay in QatarCredit: AFP
South Korea: Paulo Bento was appointed as manager of South Korea soon after the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.
The 53-year-old will go up against his native Portugal in the group stages.
Bento also managed Portugal from 2010-2014, where he will be relishing a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paulo Bento will be hoping to guide South Korea into the knockout stages for the first time since 2010Credit: AFP
Who are the star players?
Uruguay: DARWIN NUNEZ took a little while to adjust to life in Liverpool, but the 23-year-old is now in fine form.
The striker has netted nine goals in 18 games since joining the Reds from Benfica in the summer.
He did limp out of Uruguay training ahead of the game, but is expected to be fit enough to play a part against South Korea.
Darwin Nunez in Uruguay training earlier this weekCredit: AFP
How Uruguay could line up at the World Cup
South Korea: SON HEUNG-MIN has carried the hopes of South Korea on his shoulders for years.
The Tottenham ace, 30, has already racked up 104 caps for his country.
He will be appearing at his third World Cup, having failed to inspire them past the group stages on the last two occasions.
Son Heung-min has been training in a special mask after he fractured his eye socket at the start of the monthCredit: AP
How South Korea could line up at the World Cup
What’s the head to head?
Uruguay wins: 6
South Korea wins: 1
Draws: 1
What TV channel will show the game?
Uruguay vs South Korea will be SHOWN LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
The game will also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
What are the odds?
Uruguay win: 4-5
South Korea win: 24-5
Draw: 13-5
SunSport prediction?
Uruguay will fancy their chances of topping the group ahead of Portugal, and victory over South Korea would be the perfect start.
With Nunez and Suarez set to be helped in midfield by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and Spurs ace Rodrigo Bentancur, the South Americans should have too much quality in this one.
2-0 Uruguay More

WITH Brazil also in the group, both Switzerland and Cameroon will know three points in this game could be crucial.Five-time winners Brazil are favourites to go through top, but second place is well and truly up for grabs.

And a clash between Switzerland and Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Cameroon promises to be a fascinating match-up.
The Swiss are some people’s dark horses after their impressive run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, which could have gone further had they not agonisingly lost on penalties to Spain.
But the same can be said about Cameroon, who also suffered penalty heartbreak earlier this year at Afcon.
Here, SunSport previews the Group G clash.

How did they get there?
Switzerland: The Swiss were shock winners of their qualifying group ahead of four-time World Cup champions Italy.
They qualified without losing any of their eight games.
Switzerland won five and drew three of their qualifiers to book an automatic ticket to Qatar.
Cameroon: Their route to the tournament was a more nervy one.
Cameroon booked their ticket to the World Cup by beating Algeria over two legs on away goals in the third round of African qualifiers.

A dramatic extra-time winner by Karl Toko Ekambi in the fourth minute of added time saw them edge through.
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What’s the form?
Switzerland: The Swiss warmed up for the tournament with a 2-0 friendly defeat to Ghana last week.
But Switzerland’s three games before that were Nations League wins over Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain.
Have the capability to beat anyone on their day.
Cameroon: Come into the tournament on the back off a poor run of form, but have the capability to turn things around.
They have drawn 1-1 with both Panama and Jamaica this month, and are winless in four games overall.
Last tasted victory with a 1-0 win over Burundi back in June.
Who are the managers?
Switzerland: Murat Yakin took over in the summer of 2021 after the Euros and successfully guided the Swiss to the finals after they missed out in 2018.
Has experience managing club teams in Switzerland, as well as Russian side Spartak Moscow.
Capped 49 times by Switzerland as a player.
Murat Yakin took over as Switzerland boss after Euro 2020Credit: AFP
Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions are managed by former Liverpool and West Ham star Rigobert Song.
Took over as boss earlier this year after Toni Conceicao quit following the Afcon semi-finals defeat.
Song, 46, is the highest-capped player in Cameroon history, playing for his country 137 times and at four World Cups.
Rigobert Song is the highest-capped player in Senegal historyCredit: EPA
Who are the star players?
Switzerland: GRANIT XHAKA has been in superb form for Arsenal this season and will be desperate to continue that at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old has scored four goals and provided three goals for the Gunners already this season.
Xhaka skippers the Swiss, and will be looking to lead by example in Qatar.
Granit Xhaka will be hoping to lead Switzerland to World Cup gloryCredit: EPA
How Switzerland could line up at the World Cup
Cameroon: VINCENT ABOUBAKAR is the captain and talisman.
The 30-year-old has scored 33 goals in 91 games for his country and helped Cameroon to Afcon glory in 2017.
Aboubakar was part of the Cameroon squad at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Vincent Aboubakar is set to skipper the Indomitable LionsCredit: Getty
How Cameroon could line up at the World Cup
What’s the head to head?
This is the first ever competitive meeting between the two nations.
Which TV channel will show the game?
Switzerland vs Cameroon will be shown LIVE on ITV in the UK.
The game will also be live streamed on ITVX.
What are the odds?
Switzerland win: 8-11
Cameroon win: 23-5
Draw: 13-5
SunSport prediction
Switzerland, who are ranked No15 in the world, should have that little bit more than Cameroon in this one.
The Swiss are on a good run of recent form, barring one blip, and will be favourites to come out on top.
2-1 Switzerland More

HOLLYWOOD superstar Will Ferrell has hilariously threatened to “deliver s*** to Aaron Ramsdale’s doorstep.”That’s after jokingly butting heads with the Arsenal star ahead of England’s World Cup clash against the USA.
Will Ferrell has threatened to ‘deliver s**t’ to Aaron Ramsdale’s houseCredit: Getty
The pair have engaged in a hilarious feud ahead of England vs USACredit: Rex
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take on Christian Pulisic and Co in Friday’s group stage clash.
England are looking to effectively book their place in the next round after beating Iran on Monday.
But the Americans are sure to be dangerous as they eye a shock win after being held to a draw by Wales.
It is sure to be a thrilling clash for fans on both sides of the pond.
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However, an unlikely rivalry has now emerged ahead of the crunch clash.
That’s after A-list actor Ferrell was sent a very cheeky message by England goalkeeper Ramsdale.
And it prompted a hilarious reaction from the Elf star, who threatened to get back at Ramsdale with a dirty protest.
Ferrell dealt the first blow when he appeared on Roman Kemp’s Capital Breakfast radio show.
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The part-owner of MLS outfit LAFC said: “I think it’s going to be a slaughter. USA 3, England 0.”
But Ferrell was left stunned when he was played a video message sent in by Ramsdale.
The Arsenal stopper said: “You’re a great actor and a hero of mine.
“I love watching your films but when we play your nation on Friday you’ll be the worst actor in the world.
“Elf will be on the shelf and it will be a little less Anchorman and more w*****man. Take care pal.”
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This prompted Ferrell to hilariously respond: “Mr Aaron Ramsdale… Aaron, you didn’t realise I know where you live, and I’m delivering a bag of s**t to your doorstep.
“I’m going to light it on fire and you’re going to have to stomp it out and you’re going to have s**t all over your little pansy boots. Alright, Aaron…” More

KYLE WALKER claims England have earned the right to show “arrogance” at the World Cup — because they are more talented than the Golden Generation.And the Three Lions have even more reason to be confident after skipper Harry Kane returned to training on Wednesday after an ankle injury scare.
Walker believes the current England team are better than the “Golden Generation”Credit: Getty
Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard were among the highly-rated 2006 squadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Walker, part of Gareth Southgate’s team when they reached the last four of the 2018 World Cup and last summer’s Euros final, says England’s players are embracing increased expectations.
The defender, 32, who fought back from groin surgery to make Southgate’s squad, says confidence is surging ahead of Friday’s clash with USA.
Walker said: “We’ve earned the right to have more expectation and that’s not a bad thing. When you have expectations it means you are a good team.”
The Three Lions thumped Iran 6-2 in Monday’s Group B opener.
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Walker added: “There’s a very fine line between confidence and arrogance.
“We have to be confident and we need to take a little bit of arrogance into the game.
“You go out there with your chest out and your head held high and you walk out there thinking ‘we’re going to win today’.
“If you are doubting yourself you are losing the game already.

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“So expectation is good. But we need to be calm, we need to be together.
“Through 90 minutes it’s never going to go swimmingly well. There are going to be periods when you are going to have to weather the storm and you have to do that collectively as a team.”
Bullish Walker also believes the current crop of youngsters are more talented than the previous “Golden Generation” who failed to live up to their potential in international football during.
He said: “You see the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Declan Rice. These players are not as what we’ve seen growing up from the England team, where it’s all about ‘you wear your heart on your sleeve and you go out and your hard work gets you through’.
“That’s no disrespect to any of the players – Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole, David Beckham – these players had an array of talent but probably not as much talent as these have got.
“It’s a joy that the English game is actually developing in that way.”
There were fears for skipper Kane’s fitness after he was sent for a hospital scan as a precaution after suffering a knock on his ankle in England’s 6-2 win over Iran.
Asked about Kane, keeper Jordan Pickford said: “He’s good. He will probably be a little bit sore but I think he’s fine. He’s out on the grass with us today and that’s good. He’s our captain and he’s fine.
“Harry is an unbelievable player, he sets the example in the squad, he’s a leader, he’s the captain and we all look up to him.”
But Pickford admitted that James Maddison, who turned 26 on Wednesday, has yet to return to training.
This not only rules him out of Friday’s United States game but means he looks also set to be unavailable for the final group match against Wales on Monday.
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The Leicester midfielder, a shock call-up to the squad, has managed just one training session with England since hurting his knee against West Ham.
There was also good news on Harry Maguire who took part in a full session after feeling unwell against Iran. More

AN ENGLAND fan in Qatar who partied with the son of a sheikh at his £460m palace after meeting him in a supermarket has revealed exactly what happened on their wild night.Alex Sullivan, 23, posted pictures of himself with a lion cub during his first night out at the World Cup in Qatar.
England fan Alex Sullivan shared footage of himself playing with a lion cub in Qatar
He and the sheikh chilled in his garden with his pet lion cubCredit: SnapChat
He also filmed as the sheikh drove them through Doha in his Lamborghini
The Three Lions fan had been shopping with his dad Tommy and friend John at a Doha supermarket for beer when they claim to have met a member of the ruling Emir of Qatar’s family.
After the chance meeting, the three said they were invited for a drive in his Lamborghini back to his immense palace, featuring its own private zoo.
Although apprehensive at first about being in the £460m mansion, they described their mega-rich hosts as “incredibly generous and hospitable”.
Alex described the sheikh as “down to earth and friendly,” adding: “We had a really good conversation with them.”
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The story went viral as football fans around the world were left stunned at their unbelievable adventure.
Alex told The Mirror: “They were incredibly generous and hospitable and we had a great time. They had been asleep most of the day but they took us for a drive in the Lamborghini. I filmed that and also played with a lion cub.
“He had his own personal zoo with the lion cub, various birds of prey and some monkeys. They are obviously very powerful people in business. The palace was worth about two billion Qatari Riyal.
“But they were so down to earth and friendly, we had a really good conversation with them.”
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Alex’s story first hit the headlines after his mate John was interviewed by talkSPORT wearing an Everton and England t-shirt at a fanzine in Qatar.
John told talkSPORT: “We met one of the sheikh’s sons and he took us back to the palace and he showed us, he had lions and everything.
“They’ve made us so welcome and look around you, it doesn’t get any better than this.”
But after many expressed scepticism at his claims, Alex shared a video appearing to back up his story.
In one piece of footage shared on his Snapchat, he is seen walking up what seems to be the palace’s driveway.
We met one of the sheikh’s sons and he took us back to the palace… he had lions and everythingJohnEngland fan in Qatar
He says: “We’re on a beer mission, trying to get beers back at the gaff and I’ve only managed to get us back to a f***in’… a naughty one with Nawaf and Abdul-Aziz.”
Alex then adds: “We’ve just rocked up.”
In another piece of footage, he is seen sitting outside under floodlights next to a set of football nets with a group of men dressed in traditional long white Qatari robes and headdresses.
Alex then sits down on a chair and begins kissing and petting a lion cub that comes over to play with him.
“F***in’ mad,” he says.
A third clip shows him playing PlayStation 4 with the sheikh inside his extravagant mansion.
Alex, who works in e-commerce, and Tommy, are both diehard Everton fans from the Wirral.
Retired lorry driver Tommy said he was enjoying the World Cup, after setting aside £20,000 for the month-long extravaganza.
He said that they met some Iranian fans in a bar ahead of the World Cup clash with England on Monday.
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“We met some Iran fans in a bar and they were hugging us and shaking hands,” he said. “We agreed that we had to buy the drinks if they won, or they buy if we won.”
With England demolishing Iran 6-2, he added: “That is going to be a big round!”
They also played PlayStation 4 inside the mansionCredit: SnapChat
Alex has been documenting his trip to Qatar on his Snapchat account
The Brits say they have been impressed with Qatar so farCredit: Twitter
They met the sheikh while at a supermarket trying to find beer
He shared the clip of him zooming through the streets of Doha More

KEVIN DE BRUYNE was left utterly confused after being awarded the Man of the Match award following Belgium’s World Cup win over Canada.Roberto Martinez’s side undeservedly scraped a 1-0 win on Wednesday evening despite being dominated by their North American counterparts for the majority of the 90 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne and Belgium struggled to get any control in the midfield against CanadaCredit: Getty
The Man City man does not feel he deserved the Man of the Match award
De Bruyne did manage 48 touches, four crosses and four key passes during the match.
As a result, he was awarded the individual accolade immediately after the game.
However, the Manchester City playmaker was not on board with the decision to hand him the honour as he criticised his own display.
Speaking after picking up the award, he said: “I didn’t play a great game.
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“I don’t know why I won it, maybe because of my name! 
“We didn’t play as a team, we didn’t find any solutions. We were not brave enough.”
Belgium take on Morocco on Sunday afternoon, before rounding off their group stage against Croatia four days later.
And the Red Devils’ head coach Martinez is aware his side need to significantly improve if they are to be considered contenders to win the World Cup.
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He said: “It was the worst performances in tournament we’ve had. But was it the worst game? No, because we won in the World Cup. 
“It was such a difficult game and Canada were much better than us.
“We had to show another side of our play and I’m delighted we won through grit. 
“The victory is more important than playing well but we need to play better and grow. 
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“This tournament is going to make you develop and grow as the tournament goes on. If you do that by winning games, it’s an incredible advantage.
“Today we didn’t win by our normal talent and quality on the ball, but you don’t win in the World Cup if you don’t do the other side of the game.” More