World Cup 2022

KARIM BENZEMA is OUT of the World Cup after tearing his left quad in a training session on Saturday.The 34-year-old France striker, who won the Ballon d’Or earlier this year, was due to kick off his World Cup campaign against Australia on Tuesday.
Benzema failed to complete France’s training session on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
The Real Madrid star has now been ruled out after tearing his quadCredit: Getty
His only previous World Cup came back in 2014Credit: AFP
But now he has suffered the heartbreaking news that he will not be able to play any part in this year’s tournament.
An official France statement read: “Struck in the quadriceps of his left thigh, the Real Madrid striker is forced to give up participating in the World Cup.
“Karim Benzema was forced to interrupt group training after feeling some discomfort in the quadriceps of his left thigh.
“An MRI was performed at a Doha hospital, which unfortunately confirmed a rectus femoris injury, which will require a three-week recovery period.
“After having exchanged with Dr. Franck Le Gall about the Real Madrid striker, Didier Deschamps confirmed the loss of Karim Benzema for the World Cup.”
Deschamps said: “I am extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup an important goal.
“Despite this new blow to the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do our best to meet the immense challenge that awaits us.”
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Confirming his withdrawal, Benzema stated: “In my life I have never given up, but tonight I have to think about the team as I have always done.
“So reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our squad have a good World Cup.
“Thank you for all your messages of support.”
Benzema is the latest in a long line of injured absentees for Didier Deschamps after Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and Mike Maignan were all ruled out of selection.
Raphael Varane and Jules Kounde have been included in the squad, but remain doubts as they recover from their respective injuries.
Benzema played just 26 minutes of football for Real Madrid in November, leading both club and country to raise concerns.
And his unavailability means Deschamps will now almost certainly turn to AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud.

Giroud, 36, is just two goals behind Thierry Henry’s French national team record of 51 – a tally the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man will have his sights set on in Qatar.
He led the line for France at the 2018 World Cup and played a major role in them lifting the trophy for a second time.
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Benzema then returned to the national team for the Euros after six years away from the France squad.
His hiatus from international football came following a blackmail case involving former teammate Mathieu Valbuena and a sex tape.
He replaced Giroud for the Euros, but France were knocked out in the last 16 by Switzerland.
Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 games for Real Madrid last season, inspiring Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a LaLiga-Champions League double.
And that incredible campaign was capped off by him claiming the Ballon d’Or in October ahead of Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne.
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After France’s opening game against Australia, they will also face Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
Deschamps men are looking to end a run of three successive World Cup holders exiting in the group stage of the following tournament – Italy (2010), Spain (2014), Germany (2018). More

IT’S the nerve centre where the favourites will make their plans to conquer the world for the sixth time.The training camp Brazil are using as their base as Neymar, Casemiro and Co are put through their paces as they plot glory in Qatar.
Brazil’s training camp features a montage of their past World Cup successesCredit: Getty
There are also motivational slogans plastered throughout
Brazil are desperate to bring home a sixth World Cup
The gym facilities are state-of-the-art
Once the action starts, the doors to the Al-Arabi sports club stadium will remain locked to outsiders.
But before the boys from Brazil checked into town, they allowed the world a glimpse behind the scenes… and Sunsport was there to take a peek.
The Al-Arabi SC has been given a total makeover and is now bedecked head to toe in the famous gold, blue and green of the Samba stars.
Each nation had to submit their first, second and third choice of training camp – which came as a “twin package” including the hotel. Brazil, unsurprisingly, were successful with their top pick.
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Security at the stadium is being headed by Frank, a South Londoner who supports Chelsea. 
The word is that Casemiro is already looking over his shoulder after his recent last-gasp equaliser at the Bridge for Manchester United.
Motivational slogans are painted all around the camp, warning the players “confidence is not something you take and give back when you want.”
Another tells them to enjoy the moment, while Mentalmente Forte demands inner strength.
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One walkway is devoted to their glorious past, with a lengthy montage of their five successful World Cups… including the 1970 triumph by the greatest champions of all.
Needless to say, Pele features heavily on a lot of them. Another wall is covered in giant pictures and the results of their qualifying campaign.
A giant gym contains equipment the coaching team specially requested from FIFA and Al-Arabi, while a huge World Cup wallchart looks down on one of the seating areas.
Inside the dressing room, each player has his individual pod, with his picture and name. Neymar is alongside Tottenham’s Richarlison.
To avoid confusion, it is worth pointing out I am the one between the two Brazilian strikers in the picture.

The players have been equipped with their own personal pods in the dressing roomCredit: Getty
Sitting in the dressing room
There are a pair of Jacuzzi’s for the players to use
And this is accompanied by a large soft play area
This will be great players with visiting families
Beyond the changing area, there are two huge Jacuzzi baths, leading to the showering area.
A sizable section of the complex has been set up as a family area, with visits from wives and children planned the day after each of the three group games.
Previous World Cups have seen families allowed some trips to the team hotel, but in Qatar that will be a no-go area to all but players and staff.  
One huge room includes table football machines and a pool table, plus a wall of video games.
There is also a soft play area for the toddlers, including a slide and a ball park…again, done out in Brazil colours.
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And the padded flooring means even Richarlison will struggle to roll around injured if he goes down in there.
All in all, no stone has been left unturned in their quest for glory…now all they need is seven wins and it’s job done!
The stadium facilities are top drawCredit: Getty More

LIONEL MESSI and Cristiano Ronaldo have been snapped playing chess against one another ahead of the World Cup.The long-time rivals took part in a Louis Vuitton photoshoot which was released just days before the start of football’s biggest tournament.
The rivals were snapped playing chess on a Louis Vuitton bagCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Ronaldo and Messi are widely regarded as two of the greatest players of all timeCredit: Reuters
It showed the pair analysing where to go on a Louis Vuitton bag that was being used as a chess board.
Both men posted similar captions alongside the photo – which the pair shared on Instagram.
They read: “Victory is in the Mind. A long-standing tradition handcrafted trunk-building photographed by @louisvuitton.
“For @annieleibovitz Victory is a State of Mind. A long tradition of crafting trunks photographed by @louisvuitton.”
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The image caused social media to explode as fans lost their minds at seeing Messi and Ronaldo together.
The pair have been fighting over the tag of “the greatest of all time” for more than a decade.
And fans of both men aptly labelled this photo one of the best they have ever seen.
One said: “The best photo in the history of the game 👑👑.”
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While another keen admirer added: “Greatest picture on Instagram ✌🏻💯.”
And a third said: “I really can’t stop looking at the picture.”
Meanwhile, Piers Morgan, who recently conducted an explosive interview with Ronaldo, added: “What a picture.. the 🐐 with Lionel Messi.”
Messi and Ronaldo are both gearing up for what could be their final appearances at the World Cup.
Messi’s Argentina side are on a 36-game unbeaten streak that stretches all the way back to July 2019.
They head into the tournament as one of the favourites, hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since Diego Maradona led them to glory in 1986.
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Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s Portugal are not one of the teams tipped to triumph, but still boast a plethora of talent including Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Rafael Leao.
They have not progressed beyond the last 16 of the World Cup since Ronaldo’s first appearance at the tournament back in 2006. More

ARGENTINA are worried over the fitness of star man Lionel Messi after he was spotted training alone just days before their first World Cup game.Lionel Scaloni’s side trained in Qatar together but Messi was notably not involved sparking injury fears amongst fans.
Lionel Messi trained away from the rest of the team as he manages a calf problemCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi is reportedly hopeful he will be fit to face Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
The 35-year-old appeared for practice later than the rest of his teammates and took part in a one-on-one session with a coach rather than joining in with the full squad.
Marca report that Messi did “solo exercises” and did not touch the ball in his session but he will be okay for the team’s opening game.
Argentine journalist Gustavo Yarroch rushed to calm down worried supporters saying that the PSG star has a small calf issue and that he is reducing his workload to ensure he is fit to play.
And it is not the first time there has been doubts surrounding Messi’s fitness after he missed training completely earlier this week.
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His potential injury is somewhat ironic as a matter of days ago he was seen joking about picking up a knock with teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
Argentina have since been affected by problems with Nico Gonzalez and Joaquin Correa both withdrawing due to injuries.

The Copa America champions’ first clash in Qatar is against Saudi Arabia in just three days time.
After that they face Mexico and Poland in Group C.
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Argentina are one of the favourites for the tournament and they will need Messi fit for the busy schedule of matches coming up in the next few weeks.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has suggested that he sees Brazil, France and England as the top nations to beat in the tournament.
The World Cup is one of few trophies that has alluded Messi in his glittering career and on route to potential victory he could play his 1,000th career match at the quarter-final stage. More

FORMER American goalkeeper Brad Friedal has claimed England does not scare US – but Wales do. The World Cup will get underway tomorrow and Group B – featuring the Three Lions, the US, Wales and Iran – is set to be a blockbuster.
The US team includes major talent like Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic of ChelseaCredit: AFP
England have not played the US in a World Cup game since 2010, long before Harry Kane made his Three Lions debutCredit: Getty
Gareth Bale will be looking to lead Wales to victory in what should be a fascinating group opener against the StatesCredit: Getty
Expectations vary on how far the United States can go in this tournament with the country having a mixed record at World Cups.
But manager Gregg Berhalter takes a young and exciting side to Qatar with several names thriving in the Premier League.
And Friedal, who made 82 appearances for USMNT in his playing career, is convinced the team have talent.
And he’s more worried about Wales than England due to Gareth Bale.
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The ex-Tottenham keeper wrote in the Mail: “A lot of people think the US should beat Wales but this Welsh team is good. They have some excellent players and I’ve seen up close how special their star man, Gareth Bale, is.
“A lot of people think the US should beat Wales but this Welsh team is good. They have some excellent players and I’ve seen up close how special their star man, Gareth Bale, is. Watching him in the MLS Cup final showed me how the fire still burns inside.”
Friedal added that he thought the group would be difficult for the US to navigate – but it was not England he was worried about.
He said: “If we lose that first game, it becomes a real hard group. The Iranian team is very well structured, technically good and no pushover. And yet it’s a game that on paper, people think the United States should win.

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“We could lose to England, but that doesn’t scare me. Getting up for that game is simple. Can this US team motivate itself to do really well against Wales and Iran?”
The US failed to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia.
But in Brazil in 2014, they managed to get out of a difficult group of Germany, Portugal and Ghana before losing at the last 16 stage.
In 2010 they even managed to top their group above England before again losing in the last 16. More

BUDWEISER have been left with thousands of cans of beer they cannot sell at the World Cup and have vowed to give it to the winning nation.Alcohol will not be sold at stadiums in Qatar, despite the promise it would be, following a shocking U-turn just days before the first match kicks-off.
Budweiser posted this image to their social mediaCredit: Twitter / @Budweiser
The Budweiser designed bars next to stadiums will not serve alcoholCredit: Getty
Budweiser was the only brand of beer set to be allowed but with the ban in place they have plenty of booze that could end up wasted.
However, the company have come up with a plan to get rid of their stock and whoever lifts the trophy could have their celebration drinks covered.
Budweiser’s official Twitter account said: “New Day, New Tweet. Winning Country gets the Buds. Who will get them?”
It is not the first comical tweet from them since the shock news regarding beer.
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In a now deleted post they hilariously wrote: “Well, this is awkward…”
A can of Bud can still be purchased in Qatar but the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be at the Doha city centre fan zone.
Fans also face high prices where a Bud costs almost £12 and it’s not even a pint with the lager being served in 500ml glasses.
The ‘dry’ World Cup proves a huge nightmare for Budweiser after a genuine booze cruise from the firm’s three breweries in London, Lancashire and Wales.
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Tankers made the 8,000 mile sea route to Doha – a voyage taking 30 days – via the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal, arriving just in time for Qatar to slam down the shutters on the planned stadium bars.
No wonder it is anticipated Budweiser will be looking for a £40million reduction on the new sponsorship deal that takes in the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. More