World Cup 2022

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      Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon reveals shock team he’s supporting at Qatar World Cup 2022 after Azzurri failed to qualify

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      ITALIAN goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he will be supporting Cameroon at the World Cup.The African side will face Switzerland, Serbia and Brazil in their World Cup group.
      Gianluigi Buffon is supporting Cameroon at the World CupCredit: Rex
      Cameroon has been the Parma goalkeeper’s second team since 1982Credit: AFP
      Buffon will not be playing at the World Cup after Italy failed to qualify for the tournament.
      The Azzurri lost to North Macedonia 1-0 in their qualifying match as they only managed to come second in their group.
      This means that the Italians have not been at the last two World Cup tournaments as they also missed out on playing in Russia in 2018.
      Buffon however will be watching and has named the team he is backing, surprisingly, as Cameroon.
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      The veteran goalkeeper told Radio Anch’io Sport: “It has always been my second team, my favorite Serie B team, ever since the 1982 World Cup.
      “In 1990 my support was total, with players like N’Kono, Milla and Oman-Biyik who, for me, were heroes.
      “The 1990 Cameroon squad I could repeat by heart.”
      He also showed support for Iran’s spot in the tournament, after there were calls for them to be kicked out due to the nation’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict
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      He added: “Iran’s presence at the World Cup is right, sport is a meritocracy and they have earned this participation, this opportunity.
      “If this then becomes a way to send signals of collective humanity, so be it. Long live Iran’s players.”
      Buffon is in the twilight of his career at 44 years old, but there appears to be no end in sight for the former Juventus stopper.
      His contract with current signed Parma expires in June 2024. More

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      Joe Lycett ‘shreds’ £10,000 in protest at Beckham’s £10m deal with Qatar

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      JOE Lycett has “shredded” £10,000 in protest of David Beckham’s £10 million deal with Qatar.The comedian, 34, put his money where his mouth is by destroying the currency after Beckham refused to pull out of his World Cup ambassador role.
      Joe Lycett, 34, destroyed £10,000 after Beckham refused to pull out of his World Cup ambassador roleCredit: PA
      The comedian posted the stunt to his Twitter pageCredit: PA
      He threw two large bundles of £5 notes into a woodchipper, leaving a shredded bundle of money on the floor before walking awayCredit: PA
      In a clip posted to his Twitter page, Lycett threw two large bundles of £5 notes into a woodchipper, leaving a shredded bundle of money on the floor before walking away.
      Openly pansexual Lycett gave England legend Beckham, 47, an ultimatum last Sunday, telling the star, who he called a “gay icon”: “Qatar was voted one of the worst places in the world to be gay.
      “If you end your relationship with Qatar, I’ll donate this £10,000 of my own money.
      “However if you do not, at midday next Sunday I will throw this money into a shredder, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup.”
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      Beckham made his first public appearance at the controversial tournament on Saturday ahead of yesterday’s opening ceremony and first match.
      On Saturday FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended Qatar’s human rights record in a bizarre rant, with the Swiss accusing Western nations of “hypocrisy” and “racism”.
      Some online slammed the comedian – and said he should have donated the money to charity.
      Former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Shredding £10k will earn Joe Lycett far more than it will cost him and is in effect a paid-for publicity stunt which has worked.”
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      One former fan said the stunt had changed his view of the comic, saying on Twitter: “I liked Joe Lycett but he’s just shown what a privileged life he lives that he can afford to shred £10,000.”
      But actor Chris Addison defended the comic, labelling Lycett: “A force for good”.
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      Female referees to make history by officiating at a men’s World Cup for the first time

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      FEMALE referees are set to be used for the first time at a men’s World Cup.French-born Stéphanie Frappart, 38, Rwandan midwife Salima Mukasanga, 34, and Japanese fitness trainer Yoshimi Yamashita, 36, will all appear.
      French-born Stéphanie Frappart, 38, will appear in the World CupCredit: AFP
      It is the first time in the 92-year history of football’s most prestigious tournament that a woman will officiate a match.
      French-born Frappart, 38, previously made history as the first woman to referee matches in France’s Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League and World Cup qualification matches.
      She became a FIFA-qualified referee in 2009.
      Frappart said of host nation Qatar, which places strict rules on women: “I will go there for the competition. I wouldn’t go there for the environment”
      “But perhaps this World Cup will improve women’s rights in the country.”
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      Rwandan midwife Mukansanga, 34, and Japanese personal trainer Yamashita, 36, have also been selected to officiate on the global stage.
      The fleet of female officials said they were confident refereeing in front of a worldwide audience scrutinising their every decision.
      Legendary official Pierluigi Collina, head of the referees’ committee, said: “For us, they are referees, they are match officials.”
      Collina, who refereed the 2002 World Cup final, added that the women were not picked because of their gender and would be allowed to officiate games involving conservative nations such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.
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      England stars in incredible World Cup omen as Declan Rice, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount ALL score 66 in Darts Challenge

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      IT’S coming omen! England’s first three players in the Lions Den darts challenge all scored 66.Players in the series have unlimited darts to reach separate targets in 30 seconds — and Declan Rice, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount all hit the same year England last lifted the World Cup.
      England ace Mount feels something ‘strange’ is going on as he joins team-mates Rice and Shaw with a freaky score of 66Credit: Getty
      Mason Mount watches as presenter Josh Denzel counts up his scoreCredit: Getty
      Mount, the last of the trio to pull off the spooky total, was stunned by the flight of fantasy ahead of Monday’s opener against Iran.
      The Chelsea midfielder said: “That is just strange. .. wow!”
      Gareth Southgate’s squad have been taking part in tasks, racing F1 driver Lando Norris and talking about childhood memories on England’s official YouTube channel.
      And what should have been the most simple challenge became instead the most freaky – as it rammed home the dream of emulating the Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup heroes.
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      Facing a special target, Mount hit 46 from eight darts – with just time for one more effort before his half-minute ended.
      He went for the riskiest circle – a “ball” with a score of 40 – where you lose everything if you hit the hand holding it…. and got the 20 on the outer circle.
      Presenter Josh Denzel at first hailed Mount as the new leader on 76 – before later revealing his mis-count.
      With Denzel and Mount both spooked by the THIRD 66, the 23-year-old playmaker joked:  “I’m upset that I didn’t win.
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      “But that is just strange. that is.. wow!”
      Shaw and Rice seem certain starters in Doha on Monday, with Mount also in contention.
      But Southgate confirmed Kyle Walker and James Maddison aren’t yet fit enough to be considered,
      Declan Rice is a handy darts player with his own board at home, says MountCredit: Reuters
      Left-back Shaw also racked up a magical 66 in the Lions’ DenCredit: Rex More

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      World Cup 2022 LIVE: Kane fears BOOKING for armband, Maddison OUT of England clash, Qatar lose to Ecuador in first match

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      HARRY KANE and England are fearing being strong-armed by Fifa over the choice to wear a OneLove armband against Iran.It was pointed out that wearing the armband would be a breach of regulations and could see him booked for doing so.
      Conversations between the FA and FIFA have continued ahead of the game.
      Meanwhile, James Maddison will be absent for the clash through injury and will be hoping to make his comeback against the USMNT on Friday.
      And Qatar fell to defeat in the opening game of the tournament as an Enner Valencia double saw Ecuador come out victorious.
      World Cup 2022 sign up offer: Get £40 in FREE BETS when you stake £10 at Sky Bet
      Stay tuned with all the latest ahead from tournament…
      The omen of ’66
      IT’S coming omen! England’s first three players in the Lions Den darts challenge all scored 66.
      Players in the series have unlimited darts to reach separate targets in 30 seconds — and Declan Rice, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount all hit the same year  England  last lifted the World Cup.
      Credit: Getty
      Mount, the last of the trio to pull off the spooky total, was stunned by the flight of fantasy ahead of Monday’s opener against Iran.
      The Chelsea midfielder said: “That is just strange. .. wow!”
      Southgate wants to get England smiling again
      Cheer we go! Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate vowed to get England smiling again with a rousing World Cup battle cry.
      Gaffer Gareth said: “We’re in the middle of an economic recession and life has been difficult for a lot of our people.
      Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      “So we want them to enjoy their football and have a journey with the team that brings some real happiness.
      “Our country expects. The team are excited.”
      ‘England need to be like Germany’
      Gareth Southgate wants England to become a major reference point for world football domination.
      For the nation’s manager, it is even a case of: The more German, the better.
      Credit: The Sun
      outhgate, 52, said: “It is hard to talk about form because you are always six weeks, two months between games in international football, so what actually is form?
      “What there is, is pedigree. We want to be a Germany, who when I was looking at their Wikipedia page: four golds, four silvers, four bronzes.
      “European Championships — three golds, three silvers, three bronzes.
      “Yes, our page didn’t quite look like that but we’d love it if it did in 40 years’ time and that should be our aim, to be consistently challenging. We remind ourselves of the privilege of being here and the uniqueness of it. Only 16 England teams have ever been to a World Cup.
      “A lot of the staff and players are at their second. Raheem [Sterling] is at his third. You have to remind yourself of this moment in time.
      “Tournament football is different. Germany have always been one of the prime examples of that. That’s how we need to be, really.”
      Kane roars
      England captain Harry Kane roared into action in Qatar last night — pledging to end 56 years of World Cup hurt.
      The striker is aiming to lead the Three Lions to victory in their first group match today against Iran.
      Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And he revealed he is willing to defy any Fifa moves to ban the “One Love” rainbow armband.
      Harry, 29, said he was prepared to risk a fine or booking for making the gesture — and vowed to back the team’s core values.
      He said: “We have made it clear as a team and an organisation that we want to wear the armband.
      “I know that the FA and Fifa are talking and we will have a decision, but I want to wear it”.
      Pickford using runners up medal as inspiration
      Jordan Pickford uses his Euros silver medal to inspire the “hunger” to win the first major trophy of his career.

      Pickford said: “It’s at my mam and dad’s house.
      “Other players don’t like them but I think it is a progression.
      “It is a hunger to say that you have got the runners-up medal — it’s a hunger wanting to go and get the winners’ medal.
      “You know what it takes to get to the final, now what’s the next step? So I think it is always good to have a look at. I’m positive about it, not negative.”
      Southgate: ‘England can conquer for eight years’
      Gareth Southgate reckons England are on Mission Possible at the Qatar World Cup.
      The Three Lions boss, preparing for Monday’s opener against Iran, has told his 26-man squad to think big again after losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties.
      Southgate said: “Maybe we’ve made the impossible just look possible.
      “It’s exciting for other people and I can understand that.
      “We want England to be competitive for years to come and I believe our academy system has got that.
      “We have also got some good players and should be competitive for the next six, eight years with this group.”
      Adams backs Rice for captaincy
      England legend Tony Adams thinks Declan Rice would make a better captain for the Three Lions than Harry Kane.
      Writing for SunSport, Adams began: “Harry Kane is a great player,  a top goalscorer, commands total respect from his team-mates and is rightly the first name on the England teamsheet.
      So far, so good, but I have my reservations about him as captain.”
      He added: “Personally, I’d have given the captaincy to Declan Rice. I love his character, he had a fantastic Euros, and you know he’s going to give you 90 minutes.
      “Don’t forget the last time we won it we had a West Ham captain so it makes perfect sense!”
      Wilshere backs Saka for penalties
      Jack Wilshere has backed Bukayo Saka to make amends for missing a penalty in the Euros final, by stepping up to take one in a shootout if needed.
      Writing in a column for SunSport, he penned: “He missed that crucial penalty in the final but bounced back and now he’s Arsenal’s penalty taker.
      “I’m sure if there’s another penalty shootout he will step up. He won’t be bothered at all by what happened before.”
      One Love armband could get Kane booked
      FA chiefs fear they are being strong-armed by FIFA into ordering Harry Kane not to wear his One Love armband against Iran today.
      England skipper Kane made clear his determination to lead Gareth Southgate’s team into battle with the armband on public display despite warnings that he could even be booked for doing so before entering the pitch.
      The FA stuck to their guns after a meeting with FIFA match commissioner in which it was “pointed out” to them that wearing the armband would be a breach of regulations.
      But the commissioner could intervene if Kane does try to defy FIFA and order it to be removed or attempt to physically strip it off the England skipper.
      The astonishing row left both England and Wales officials frustrated and angry.
      Conversations between the FA and FIFA were continuing into Sunday evening and could resume in the hours before kick off on Monday.

      Qatar’s unwanted record
      Qatar became the first World Cup hosts to lose their tournament opener as Ecuador’s 2-0 win produced a string of staggering stats.
      Enner Valencia struck twice in a one-sided first half and had a third-minute opener ruled out by VAR as the first World Cup finals held in the Middle East kicked off with stifling heat and stuttering displays.
      And amid all the debate about whether Qatar are suitable hosts off the field, the early figures suggest they are  unsuitable opponents on it.
      Of the previous 22 hosts, 16 won their opening matches and six drew it.
      In fact, Qatar had ZERO efforts on target against Ecuador – a feat achieved by teams only four times throughout the whole 2018 tournament.
      In all, the game provided just 11 goal attempts – the lowest total for an opener since records began with England’s triumphant hosting in 1966.
      England stars shielded from racist trolls
      England’s World Cup stars will be shielded from racist trolls at the competition by cutting-edge tech that blocks abuse from their phones.
      Football stars Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were left in tears when they were bombarded with hate after missing penalties at the Euro 2020 Final defeat against Italy.

      But FIFA world football bosses have confirmed players will be protected by an incredible new “Threat Matrix” troll-blocking system at Qatar 2022.
      Boffins have perfected an artificial intelligence programme which scans millions of online messages and identifies abusive words and emojis.
      Offensive messages will remain visible on favoured troll haunts like Twitter and Instagram and will not be erased from the web.
      But the incredible technology will act as a filter built into players phones – making sick jibes invisible to stars before they turn on the mobiles after games.
      4-3-3 for England
      Gareth Southgate is set to ditch five at the back for England’s World Cup opener.
      The Three Lions boss will revert to a back four against Iran for their curtain raiser in Qatar on Monday.
      Here’s how the team could line up.

      Enrique reveals daughter’s pick
      Luis Enrique has joked his daughter will chop his head off if he does not pick Ferran Torres at the World Cup.
      Ahead of Spain’s Qatar World Cup opener against Costa Rica, the former Barcelona boss was asked who he felt was an extension of himself on the field of play.
      Luis Enrique’s daughter Sira is a fan of Ferran Torres
      To this Enrique replied: “Very easy – It’s Mr Ferran Torres – otherwise my daughter will come after me and chop off my head.”
      You’ve got no fans
      Many Qatar fans left their World Cup opener at half-time after a shambolic performance against Ecaudor.
      The Al Bayt Stadium emptied early with the host nation down 0-2 after the opening 45 minutes.

      Qatar were picked apart by Ecaudor with Enner Valencia netting twice after seeing another strike disallowed for a close offside.
      The host nation’s goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb put in a nightmare display giving away a penalty and was unconvincing throughout.
      It was meant to be a big day for Qatar after the opening ceremony kicked off with a performance from BTS pop star Jung Kook and a narration from actor Morgan Freeman.
      However the game did not live up to the hype as Ecuador took control early and Qatar rarely threatened.
      Captain material
      Tyler Adams will be the USMNT’s captain at the World Cup.
      The Leeds star, 23, has been selected by coach Gregg Berhalter due to his “great leadership capabilities”.

      Berhalter has employed a captain-by-committee approach during his time in charge.
      Christian Pulisic, Walker Zimmerman and Weston McKennie have all worn the armband at some point during the USA’s qualifying campaign.
      While Adams has captained the USA nine times in his international career, with seven of those games in the build-up to Qatar.
      But now Berhalter has decided that the USMNT need a permanent leader, with Adams coming out on top.
      Mount impressed England’s stars
      Raheem Sterling reckons Mason Mount blew senior England stars away when he turned up for his first ever training session with them.
      Speaking on Lions Den on the England YouTube channel, Sterling said: “I think it was the first camp after the World Cup in Russia.
      Credit: Getty
      “It was the best training performance I have seen to this day. He came up to join us and he was incredible.
      “Left foot, right foot, dribbling, chopping, everything I am not exaggerating. I haven’t seen anything to top that.”
      England will take the knee
      Gareth Southgate has confirmed England WILL take the knee before Monday’s World Cup opener against Iran.
      Southgate said: “We have discussed taking the knee. We feel we should.
      Credit: PA
      “It’s what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time.
      “We understand in the Premier League, teams decided to only do it for the big games, the big occasions. We feel this is the biggest.
      “We think it’s a strong statement that will go around the world to young people in particular to show inclusivity is important.”
      Richarlison’s plans for retirement
      Brazil forward Richarlison has claimed he plans to ” buy an island” and live there with a “bunch of women” when he retires from football.
      He was asked by a reporter: “Do you have an idea of what you will do when you retire?”

      To which he replied: “I’m going to buy an island and stay there with a bunch of women, just like that picture of Ronaldinho.”
      Calamity keeper
      Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb had a shocking first-half in the World Cup opening game versus Ecaudor.
      The 32-year-old put in an unconvincing display in the early stages of the game as Enner Valencia netted twice to seal his side’s 0-2 win.

      Fans could not quite believe how bad his Al Sheeb’s performance was as he failed to live up to the big ocasssion.
      One fan said: “The Qatar goalkeeper might be the worst footballer I’ve ever seen.”
      Another reacted: “Qatar’s goalkeeper genuinely looks like he’s won a competition on the side of a cereal box.”
      More commented: “That keeper needs to change profession.”
      First game is over
      And it goes Ecuador’s way.
      The South Americans have beaten hosts Qatar easily 2-0.
      Credit: Reuters
      Qatar become the first hosts ever to lose an opening game at the World Cup.
      ‘We want beer’
      Ecuador fans roared their disapproval of Qatar’s last-minute alcohol ban during the World Cup opener
      Hundreds of South Americans chanted “We want beer!” from the stands against the outclassed hosts at the at Al Bayt Stadium.
      Credit: Getty
      just 48 hours before Sunday’s big kick-off, Qatar’s tournament chiefs U-turned by refusing to allow alcohol at matches.
      That could cost Fifa £40MILLION as Budweiser prepared to play hard-ball.
      The American beer company is one of the World Cup’s official sponsors and were set to provide booze in grounds and fan zones in Qatar.
      Fans zone
      An impressive number of football fans cram into Al Bidda Park at the Qatar Fan Festival to watch the opening game.
      The locals might not be happy with what they are seeing, but they are definitely supporting their country in droves.

      Queiroz believes England can win World Cup
      Iran boss Carlos Queiroz believes England have a huge chance of winning the World Cup.
      The former Manchester United assistant manager stressed that the Three Lions have one of the best squads in the tournament and said it’s their best chance of winning since last time 56 years ago.

      Queiroz said England “have a storm of talent” and it is “the most competitive squad since 1966.”
      He continiued: “I worked with the generation of Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and David Beckham but this national team is really different.
      “They have a realistic chance to win any single game which makes them very, very dangerous.”
      The real GOAT
      Forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi!
      A hilarious photoshop snap of Ecuador’s Enner Valencia imposed into the now famous Louis Vuitton ad campaign pic of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess is going viral on social media.

      Valencia has got his World Cup off to a flyer with two goals against Qatar.
      Golden Boot contender?
      Bale is ready
      Gareth Bale has dismissed injury concerns by announcing he is “ready to go” ahead of Wales’ World Cup opener against USA.
      Speaking in a pre-match press conference, he said: “I’m right where I want to be. I’m ready to go. We’ve all been training hard in the week.
      Credit: Getty
      “Every World Cup there’s never been a Wales flag. For youngsters growing up now, to have Wales at a World Cup, they might not realise it now but it’s an incredible experience to have.
      “It’s an incredible feeling to be here and an honour to do it for my country.
      “We’re just our normal group having our normal jokes, working hard when we need to. The atmosphere is great at the hotel, at training.
      “We’re really looking forward to the game and, when we’re in that mood, we normally give our best stuff.”
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      Proud Jordan Pickford cherishes Euro 2020 silver medal as England ace says he’s using it to inspire him to World Cup win

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      JORDAN PICKFORD uses his Euros silver medal to inspire the “hunger” to win the first major trophy of his career.While some players can barely bear to look at runners-up gongs, the Everton goalkeeper regards the relic of summer 2021 as the signs of England’s development and a spur to going one better in Qatar.
      Pickford conceded just two goals at the Euros last yearCredit: Getty
      Pickford said: “It’s at my mam and dad’s house.
      “Other players don’t like them but I think it is a progression.
      “It is a hunger to say that you have got the runners-up medal — it’s a hunger wanting to go and get the winners’ medal.
      “You know what it takes to get to the final, now what’s the next step? So I think it is always good to have a look at. I’m positive about it, not negative.”
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      Pickford, at the age of 28 and into his sixth season at Everton, knows it is a challenge to bring silverware to Goodison Park.
      He said: “For club and country, you play football to win silverware.
      “Yet you know how tough the Premier League is at the moment.
      “We got knocked out of the League Cup against Bournemouth last week but have still got the FA Cup to come.
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      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k

      “As a footballer, there is nothing better than getting a medal.
      “The last two tournaments we didn’t get over the finish line but we’ve made massive strides as a nation and as a group of players.
      “We’ve tasted defeat in both of them. But we know what it takes to get that far.
      “We know how tough it is to win the World Cup but our main aim is to win the tournament.
      “We’ve got the ability and the mental strength in the team.”
      If England are to challenge in Qatar, the team will need to regain the defensive stability that helped Pickford keep five clean sheets and concede just two goals in seven games at the Euros.
      He said: “It’s huge. Clean sheets, keeping zeroes and ones in tournament football gives you a great chance of winning games.”
      Pickford has recorded only three shutouts in 14 Premier League appearances for Everton this term.
      But he has an excellent record under Gareth Southgate, which is why he is holding off the challenge of Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Newcastle’s Nick Pope.
      Pickford said: “The buzz for me in representing your country is massive.
      “I think every time I pull on an England shirt I play well.
      “But in tournament football the spotlight is on you constantly and I feel like I will step up to the plate when called upon.”
      And that will be on Monday, starting against Iran.
      Pickford and his team-mates are champing at the bit to get going, because of, rather than despite, the quick turnaround from club football.
      He said: “Normally, you have a 20-25 day lead into the first game.
      “We’ve had a week, we are fresh off the back of games at club level. I think we are all really excited to get going.”
      Skipper Harry Kane’s stoppage-time winner in the opening game against Tunisia four years ago feels like a sliding doors moment for Southgate’s England.
      Without it, who knows what might have happened.
      Read More on The Sun
      Pickford said: “That was a big hurdle for us to overcome, getting that winner in the first game.”
      Another positive start this time around would be very welcome. More

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      Gareth Southgate’s critics forget what went before, England fans should be careful what they wish for

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      SIX years into his reign and, in all probability, with no more than seven more matches to go, do not expect Gareth Southgate to start changing now.And, as England’s most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey, why rip up his blueprint?
      Gareth Southgate speaks during a press conferenceCredit: AFP
      Harry Maguire may be suffering from a prolonged confidence crisis, while Raheem Sterling has been out of form — and often out of position — since joining Chelsea.
      But when Southgate names his team for today’s opener against Iran, he will stay loyal to these two veterans of England’s march to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and last year’s Euros final.
      There may be howls of derision over those two selections but Southgate will be undeterred.
      This World Cup is likely to be the 52-year-old’s last tournament and he will stand or fall by his most trusted lieutenants. They are the hill he is willing to die on.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      England haven’t won for six matches — their worst run since the dog days of Graham Taylor’s reign almost 30 years ago.
      And they played poorly for all but about half an hour of a miserable Nations League campaign. It is a year since winning a competitive match — against San Marino.
      But England now have battle-hardened players with records of rising to the occasion, rather than shrinking, at major tournaments.
      Southgate’s critics, who tore into him at Molineux and the San Siro after dismal Nations League defeats, seem to forget we spent decades fretting over the reasons for England’s chronic failure on the biggest stages.
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      Playing with fear, burnout after long seasons, club cliques hurting team spirit, an obsession with celebrity, a phobia of penalty shootouts, an inability to cope with the boredom in camps.
      And during the reigns of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, managers who lacked supreme motivation.
      But nobody has talked of these issues before Qatar — because England have exceeded expectations in ­successive tournaments.
      The impending dread of inevitable failure is no more. England are united, happy and unburdened by fear.
      And their manager, a quiet patriot, a devoted workaholic and an excellent ambassador, is never going to bring scandal to a job once considered ‘impossible’.
      If you’re bored of Southgate’s England, as many are, you’ve ­forgotten what went before.

      So there is no ­surprise he will stick with Sterling and Maguire, two of his Euros stars who made Uefa’s team of the tournament.
      Maguire went into those Euros injured but Southgate gambled on the Manchester United skipper and fortune favoured his boldness.
      Even now, with Maguire struggling to get a game for United, Southgate won’t jettison him.
      Southgate said: “Loyalty comes from performances over time and knowing that to play for England is a different experience to any other, players have to handle that.
      “Harry is technically a fantastic footballer, he’s a very strong leader and we haven’t got anybody else with that physical presence.
      “And there are the relationships with other defenders — the more those relationships are there over a period of time, it is helpful.”

      World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World Cup

      Southgate’s detractors claim he had fortuitous draws in both of his previous tournaments. Yet defeating Croatia and Germany last year were not results to be sniffed at.
      And nor was the hoodoo-busting penalty shootout victory over Colombia in Moscow in a stadium dominated by South American fans.
      At the Khalifa Stadium in Doha today, England will face similar hostility, as tens of thousands of Iranians have made the short trip.
      Iran, USA and Wales will be no pushovers but England are white-hot favourites to top Group B, so a last-16 clash with Ecuador or a Senegal side without the injured Sadio Mane is likely to await.
      Another ‘easy draw’ then for ‘boring, boring’ Southgate and his ‘same old, same old’ team?
      Despite having 18 months left on his contract, Southgate is likely to go after this tournament.
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      Although FA chiefs, who are devoted to the manager and have no obvious English successor, will be as persuasive as possible in urging him to stay — unless this campaign is an absolute car crash.
      But England fans must be careful what they wish for. Following the Three Lions was largely miserable before Southgate arrived and is unlikely to improve after he leaves. More

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      Gareth Southgate calls on England to emulate GERMANY as he says Three Lions can win three World Cups in next 40 years

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE wants England to become a major reference point for world football domination.For the nation’s manager, it is even a case of: The more German, the better.
      Southgate wants England to take inspiration from GermanyCredit: Getty
      Germany have won the World Cup four times – in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press
      On the eve of his third tournament in charge, Southgate revealed he has been killing some time looking at the impressive international record of our greatest international rivals on Wikipedia.
      Despite leading his nation to a World Cup semi-final in Russia four years ago and last summer’s Euro 2020 final, the Three Lions’ roll of honour on Wiki is embarrassing in comparison.
      Southgate goes into Monday’s Group B opener against Iran on a run of six games without a win after a shocking Nations League run.
      But he stressed it should have little relevance over what could unfold during the next month in Qatar.
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      Southgate, 52, said: “It is hard to talk about form because you are always six weeks, two months between games in international football, so what actually is form?
      “What there is, is pedigree. We want to be a Germany, who when I was looking at their Wikipedia page: four golds, four silvers, four bronzes.
      “European Championships — three golds, three silvers, three bronzes.
      “Yes, our page didn’t quite look like that but we’d love it if it did in 40 years’ time and that should be our aim, to be consistently challenging. We remind ourselves of the privilege of being here and the uniqueness of it. Only 16 England teams have ever been to a World Cup.
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      “A lot of the staff and players are at their second. Raheem [Sterling] is at his third. You have to remind yourself of this moment in time.
      “Tournament football is different. Germany have always been one of the prime examples of that. That’s how we need to be, really.”
      Southgate goes into this World Cup not only under a barrage of negativity because of his team’s patchy form but with the issues surrounding the tournament itself.
      The Three Lions boss has attempted to get his 26-man squad to focus on fun and football.
      Even at his pre-match press conference on Sunday night, Southgate was asked about human rights issues in Iran.
      And skipper Harry Kane was quizzed about the situation of his OneLove armband and whether he could be fined or even booked as they have not been endorsed by Fifa.
      Southgate, whose squad received a visit from Prince William at St George’s Park a week ago, said: “What we have tried to do is excite them about going to a World Cup and that has been balanced about the topics they have been asked to discuss which are very serious.
      “There is a lot of negativity around the tournament and I want them to understand the unique honour of representing England at a major tournament.
      “This is what they have wanted to do their whole lives.
      “We have tried to talk about those things, to make it special.
      “Obviously, the future king was with us to help endorse that which was special for everybody and then the work on the training pitch has been really focused.
      “We are looking forward to it. The players should not be embarrassed about being excited.”
      Historically, England are poor starters at major tournaments and this includes just seven wins in their 15 opening World Cup matches.
      They beat Tunisia 2-1 at Russia 2018 — but that was only thanks to a 91st-minute winner from Harry Kane.
      Southgate was asked whether he will give his team a basic instruction to start the tournament well.
      Smiling, he added: “Frankly, we could get any landlord in any pub to deliver that.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s what we do if we have a moment like we did against Tunisia where we started really well and then out of the blue there’s a penalty conceded and now we’re 1-1 and how are we going to be?
      “We’ve never been to a final outside our own shores so we’re trying to do things that haven’t been achieved before. That’s a great challenge for them as a group.” More