World Cup 2022

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      Gareth Southgate claims England will challenge for trophies for EIGHT YEARS with talented World Cup squad

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      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.
      England are bidding to go one step further at the World Cup after Euros heartbreakCredit: Reuters
      Southgate feels there is a real longevity in England’s current squadCredit: AFP
      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.”
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      Southgate has a strong squad to pick from but James Maddison has not recovered from a knee injury, while Kyle Walker is still recovering from a groin problem — although could be back for Friday’s USA clash.
      England may go with a back four against an Iran side ranked 20th in the world, one below Wales.
      Southgate added: “We are in the middle of an economic recession and life has been difficult for a lot of our people.
      “We want them to enjoy their football and have a journey with the team that brings some happiness.
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      “We have a tough game, though, and the team knows what to expect.”
      England skipper Harry Kane is hoping to finish top scorer for the second successive World Cup.
      He said: “You can’t take anything for granted. I was lucky enough to play in the 2018 World Cup.
      “I’m really looking forward to this one.”
      Kane says England’s recent run of six games without a win makes them more determined.
      The Spurs ace insisted: “We  back  ourselves  against any team. It’s down to us.
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      “It’s been a quick turnaround but we’re really looking forward to getting the tournament started.
      “Iran are defensively very strong and compact. From a striker’s point of view, it will be difficult.” More

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      Why is Karim Benzema not playing for France at the 2022 World Cup?

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      KARIM BENZEMA is absent from the France squad competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.The Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to be one of the players of the tournament during the World Cup.
      Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup despite making the initial 26-man squad for FranceCredit: AFP
      However, he will not be handed the chance to impress for the World Champions.
      And it is a blow for Didier Deschamps’ side, with the forward being their top scorer in 2014 before missing the 2018 tournament.
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      Why is Benzema not playing for France at the World Cup?
      Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury in training, handing France a blow after Christopher Nkunku suffered the same fate.
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      The Real Madrid star suffered an injury to his left thigh during training in Doha, with the French federation confirming he will not feature in Qatar.
      After undergoing an MRI scan it was confirmed that he had a muscular tear that would require at least three weeks of recovery, ruling him out of the World Cup.
      France have opted to not call-up a replacement for Benzema and will instead make use of a 25-man squad for the tournament. More

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      England boss Gareth Southgate vows to get England smiling again with rousing World Cup battle cry

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      CHEER We Go! Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate vowed to get England smiling again with a rousing World Cup battle cry.Fans back home are struggling with the cost of living crisis and the soccer spectacular in Qatar has been dogged by grim human rights rows and a beer ban.
      Gareth Southgate vowed to get England smiling again with a rousing World Cup battle cry
      There were empty seats at the Qatar World Cup’s elaborate opening ceremonyCredit: Getty
      Captain Harry Kane wants to lead England to its first World Cup win since 1966
      The team’s One Love armband makes a stand for LGBT+ rights
      But the patriotic pair pledged to give lionhearts a tournament to make them forget their woes ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s Group B curtain raiser clash against Iran.
      Gaffer Gareth said: “We’re in the middle of an economic recession and life has been difficult for a lot of our people.
      “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.”
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      England face minnows Iran at the 45,400-seat Khalifa International Stadium after reaching the semi-final at Russia 2018 and losing the final of Euro 2020 on penalties.
      But captain Kane, 29, spoke of his hunger to go one better in Qatar and end 56 years of hurt by landing our first trophy since 1966.

      The Spurs idol said “You have to appreciate these moments, and I am really looking forward to this one because we have got a really good team, a great blend of experience and youth.
      “In life in general you have to take opportunities that come your way.”
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      Tomorrow’s opening England game kicks off at 1pm on a day that has been dubbed “Bunk-Off Monday” as millions of workers either throw a sickie or tune in while at work.
      School pupils – and soccer-mad staff – across the country will also take time out to watch the big game on TV.
      As many as one-in-ten schools will allow pupils – and footy mad teachers – to take a break, according to a survey by app Teacher Tapp.
      Chris Dyson, headteacher of Parklands Primary School, Leeds, said: “If the children know they can come in and watch the game, they’ll come in.”
      World Cup 2022 ambassador David Beckham watched hosts Qatar play Ecuador from a private boxCredit: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock
      There was a display of fireworks at the elaborate opening ceremonyCredit: Getty
      Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman performed at the opening ceremonyCredit: Getty
      He was on stage with disabled Qatari influencer Ghanim al MuftahCredit: Getty
      Apart from the football fans can expect to see the Three Lions take the knee as they back their campaign against racism.
      Southgate said: “We have discussed taking the knee, we feel we should. It is what we stand for as a team and have done for a considerable amount of time.”
      Kane and Southgate fired the opening shots of the Qatar campaign after a glitzy opening ceremony earlier today led by Hollywood legend Morgan Freeman.
      But the Arab hosts were stung by a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador – and catcalls from the South American fans demanding: “queremos cerveza” or “we want beer”.
      The jibe came as beer sponsors Budweiser showed off the mountainous stocks of cans going to waste thanks to Qatar’s last ditch stadium ban – and offered them to the nation which triumphs.
      Qatar tournament ambassador David Beckham took his seat in the VIP section at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor near under-fire Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
      The Fifa bigwig – who sparked a storm by branding Europeans racist for daring to criticise the hosts appalling record on migrant worker deaths – smiled benignly as the pageant began.
      Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani — who bankrolled the incredible £185billion spent on the tournament — also smiled and waved from the stands.
      Shawshank Redemption star Freeman, 85, narrated the opening of the show and chatted on stage in a segment with disabled Qatari entrepreneur and influencer Ghanim al Muftah, 20.
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      Empty seats could be seen in the 60,000 Al Bayt Stadium during the opening ceremony which filled only at kick-off when performers piled in and began cheering on the host nation.
      Big name performers shunned the ceremony where South Korean star Jungkook of boy band BTS topped the bill. More

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      England’s Harry Kane vows to end 56 yrs of World Cup hurt as Three Lions roar into action against Iran in Qatar

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      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.
      Harry Kane is aiming to lead England to victory in their first group match today against IranCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The striker and captain revealed he is willing to defy any Fifa moves to ban the ‘One Love’ rainbow armband he will wearCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The World Cup began yesterday with a spectacular opening ceremonyCredit: Getty
      Two yellow cards in the first two group games will rule the Kane out of boss Gareth Southgate’s (pictured) side for the vital third clash with WalesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And he revealed he is willing to defy any Fifa moves to ban the “One Love” rainbow armband.
      Pressure mounted last night as it emerged he could be booked the second the match kicks off if he wears it, or be forced to remove it in the dressing room.
      Two successive yellow cards in the first two group games will rule the Spurs goal-scoring ace out of boss Gareth Southgate’s side for the vital third clash with Wales.
      The move — backing gay rights and inclusivity — will defy a ban by football’s world governing body Fifa on promoting “political” issues at matches.
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      Homosexuality is banned in the Muslim Gulf state and can still carry the death sentence.
      FA and Fifa bosses were last night wrangling over the issue as a Three Lions source confided: “We’ve had no clarity from Fifa but there are rumours.”

      Irked world football bosses issued an alternative armband to the 32 competing nations on the eve of yesterday’s opening game which saw hosts Qatar lose 2-0 to Ecuador.
      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.
      Most read in The Sun
      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”.
      England are the first of eight European teams committed to the policy.
      A shadow also potentially hangs over Liverpool’s Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk and Wales skipper Gareth Bale, who also play today.
      Fifa declined to make any comment on “speculation”.
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      But with the FA insisting Kane will wear the armband, there was support from Germany’s camp.
      Their FA president Bernd Neuendorf said yesterday: “We will play with it — and tomorrow England, Wales and the Netherlands will play with it.”
      Kane, 29, added: ‘We have made it clear as a team and an organisation that we want to wear the armband’Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      I’m sure Bukayo Saka will step up if England have another penalty shootout, the Euro 2020 final won’t bother him at all

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      I WONDER if the England fans realise what a truly great player we have in Bukayo Saka.Yes, I know I’ll be accused of bias because Bukayo plays for Arsenal but, honestly, he has special gifts.
      Bukayo Saka is set to start for England in their first match of the World CupCredit: Getty
      What amazes me about him is he always makes the right decision, it’s incredible.
      It is so rare for a young player – he’s only just turned 21 – to instinctively know what is right in any given situation. I stress with my Arsenal Under-18 players to study him.
      If the situation calls for a five-yard pass he’ll do it but if he has to beat someone he’ll do that too. Bukayo always gets it right, which is a skill itself.
      His level of understanding is that he’ll know if he plays a certain pass, the free player will be there. He won’t try and force it.
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      He can make the difference too with his scoring and assists.
      He is the most humble kid – not one of those big-time types – who will come over and watch my U-18s and talk to them.
      In the training ground restaurant, he’ll be over to chat and shake everyone’s hand.
      Bukayo was in the academy when I was in the first team. I watched him impress in a few Youth Cup games but you never know how someone will react once they’re on the big stage.
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      But when Unai Emery came in as manager he put a bit of trust in him, playing him in a few Europa League games and, again, he made all the right decisions.
      In the Euros last year, Gareth Southgate trusted him too.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.
      We should have no trouble against Iran, who I suspect will sit in and frustrate us but we have the players in Bukayo, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish who can unlock the door.
      What worries me is if Harry Kane gets injured, what do we do?
      I played with Callum Wilson at Bournemouth and he’s fantastic at what he does.
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      He makes bad balls look good and will run in the channels but to ask him to start would be a big challenge.
      I was disappointed Tammy Abraham was left out because if Harry gets injured Tammy would have been a good alternative to start. It’s such a big role to fill.
      Part of me likes a winter World Cup. They should all be feeling good because it’s not the end of a long, gruelling season.
      At Arsenal we used to call it ‘six-week syndrome’ where, six weeks before the end of the season, you could feel it in your body that the season was coming to an end. There isn’t that this time.
      We’ve got a group who have been with Gareth Southgate for a while and they know his playing style, so I don’t feel only having a week’s preparation will be a problem.
      Against Iran we should dominate the ball and can use players who there have been doubts about, like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      He won’t be seriously tested defensively and we can use his vision and ability to help break them down.
      And if he gets some confidence from that match, he can go on and have a good tournament.
      Gareth Southgate is guiding England to a World Cup for the second timeCredit: Getty
      Foden, who I’d like to see play centrally, and Grealish can create an overload or dribble past someone.
      We don’t need two holders so I’d play with what I call two No 8s. If you have Declan Rice sitting I’d play Jude Bellingham higher up with Foden, someone who can take the ball and beat players.
      Bellingham is playing so well he has to start but Grealish can come on and be an impact player when they are tiring.
      What I don’t like about the squad is there’s no left-footed centre-back. You need balance.
      I’d also prefer Aaron Ramsdale in goal because of his ability with his feet.
      Jordan Pickford’s good at going longer but Ramsdale can play through the lines and eliminate players.
      The biggest thing I’ve learned in coaching is that everyone has to be clear and everyone has to be committed.
      “Are you clear with the playing style? Are you clear with what we’re going to do when we are out of possession? Do you see the reasons why we are doing this?”
      If they get those two aspects right, then we have enough talent to go a long way.
      England will be hoping to go further than the semi-final – where they managed to get to in 2018Credit: Reuters More

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      I’d make Declan Rice England captain, Harry Kane is a great player but the armband makes it very hard to sub him

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      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.
      Harry Kane is a key player but England might need more pace during some games, while Harry Maguire might struggle unless in a back threeCredit: PA
      Declan Rice has taken centre stage for England and deserves to be captainCredit: Getty
      It’s not because I doubt his abilities as a leader but if Gareth Southgate ever needs to change things he cannot take Harry off.
      All strikers have a bad day occasionally, even Harry, but nothing looks worse to the rest of the team than if the skipper is subbed.
      You look across to the bench, see your leader sitting there and it sends a bad message. Consequently Harry stays on when it might be detrimental to the team.
      Ok, that might not be very often, but it does happen.
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      If your skipper is in midfield or defence you give them the armband knowing that, even if you want to switch tactics, you’re still unlikely to sub them.
      It is more likely to be a striker who comes off either to be directly replaced or to add an extra body in midfield or defence.
      We are at the stage now where you need alternatives to Kane. I thought we needed that against Croatia in the semi-final of the last World Cup.
      We were short and should have freshened it up properly.
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      When Glenn Hoddle took the England captaincy off me and gave it to Alan Shearer I thought it was the wrong decision, not just because it hurt my pride, but also that it meant Alan would never come off even when we needed a quick player on up front.
      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!
      We do have the basis of a very strong team. I’ve been so impressed by Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka, who is flying, and I’m sure we’ll come through well against Iran today and get out of the group — but I can see us falling short against the top teams.
      Gareth’s always been really defensive. His teams are cautious and he won’t put a team out there which will just go and play football.
      It also worries me he doesn’t seem to know his right team or formation.
      I was in despair when he played Saka at left wing-back in the recent game against Italy. Please no more of that.
      He doesn’t seem to know his best back four or whether he’ll play with three central defenders.
      I wouldn’t worry about Saka, who missed the penalty in the final — he’s well over that, it’s obvious when you see how he’s playing.
      Then he’s got the situation with Harry Maguire not having played much which isn’t great.
      I think he will be fine in a three but in a two I’m not so sure and he could get exposed.
      But Maguire has done it for this manager and there is a trust there so I’d be prepared to go with him too for this game and see how he goes.
      This team has been brought through by Gareth and while people can argue they have been making progress with a semi-final and final in the last two tournaments, we didn’t win them and we may have missed the boat.
      Those who played in both have the baggage of failing at a vital stage and it could have a mental effect on them.
      I’d be feeling we’ve had such a great opportunity to win the last two tournaments and we didn’t do it.
      But I wouldn’t be worried about Saka, who missed the penalty in the Euros final — he’s well over that, it’s obvious when you see how he’s been playing since. More

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      Who is Declan Rice’s girlfriend Lauren Fryer and how many children do they have?

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      DECLAN RICE will be hoping to lift the World Cup with England this winter, while he and his teammates will be cheered on by the England fans, and one in particular – his girlfriend, Lauren Fryer.The pair will hope to be celebrating together upon England’s return from the tournament as Gareth Southgate’s team target success in Qatar.
      Declan Rice and his girlfriend Lauren FryerCredit: Instagram @laurenfryer_
      It will not be easy, however, as the West Ham midfielder will know that his country must overcome some of the best nations when they face off at the World Cup.
      But he will be looking to do his country and family proud, and we have all the information on his partner Lauren.
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      Who is Lauren Fryer?
      Lauren Fryer is Rice’s long-term girlfriend after meeting during their younger years.
      She is from Chessington and has 36,500 followers on Instagram as of November 17, 2022.
      Declan Rice, Lauren Fryer and their dogCredit: Instagram @laurenfryer_
      The pair have been together for seven years, as was revealed on her Instagram when they celebrated six years together in 2021.
      She is supportive of her boyfriend, often attending matches and most notably posted a message to Rice after England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, reiterating her pride in the West Ham captain.
      How many children do they have?
      The pair have just the one child together.
      While Rice did not confirm his son’s birth, back in August he debuted a tattoo with the name of his new-born baby and the date of his birth.
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      The ink appears to have the name Jude and numbers 07.08.2022.
      As of public knowledge this is the only child that the pair have together, although he often brings his nephew onto the pitch at West Ham which has previously been mistaken as his own son. More

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      Who is World Cup star Luke Shaw’s girlfriend Anouska Santos and do they have children together?

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      LUKE SHAW has rebuilt himself as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League – and he’ll be heading to the World Cup with England as a reward.The Manchester United defender has struggled with injuries in recent years but has thankfully been comforted by his stunning girlfriend Anouska Santos.
      Luke Shaw often attends special events with his girlfriend Anouska Santos
      The pair attended the wedding of Shaw’s Man Utd colleague Phil Jones and Kaya Hall
      Who is Anouska Santos?
      Very little is known about the blonde beauty, except for her birthday is on May 16.
      The couple tend to keep their relationship private – with Anouska’s Instagram account shut off to the public.
      But Luke Shaw has posted some snaps of the pair together, including celebrating her birthday at Wireless Music Festival in 2017.
      Luke Shaw and Anouska Santos took a trip to New York together
      Luke Shaw wished his girlfriend Anouska Santos happy birthday during their trip to Wireless FestivalCredit: Instagram @lukeshaw23
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      When did Luke Shaw start dating Anouska Santos?
      There is no official timeline as when the pair started dating, except that it was before May 2017.
      The couple regularly holiday together, spending time in Ibiza and New York.
      Meanwhile, Anouska is often spotted alongside her footballer boyfriend at events including Man United’s United4Unicef dinner.
      They were spotted in a jewellery shop, eyeing up engagement rings in December 2017 – but nothing has been confirmed.

      Do Luke Shaw and Anouska Santos have children together?
      Luke Shaw and his long-term partner Anouska Santos have two beautiful children together – a boy and a girl.
      Reign was born in November 2019 but the official date is unclear, while Storie, their little girl was born in May, 20, 2022.

      Shaw and Santos have two children together
      Is Luke Shaw playing for England?
      Shaw, 27, will figure for England at the winter World Cup in Qatar and he’ll be expected to start as he is the ONLY left-back in the side.
      Luke Shaw will represent England at the World Cup
      The Manchester United defender has earned 23 caps for the Three Lions and has scored three times including during England’s Euro 2020 final loss to Italy.
      Shaw will wear the number three jersey which was handed to him during the visit by Prince William. More