World Cup 2022

ENGLAND sponsors Lucozade has pulled all its branding from the World Cup in a snub to Qatar.The drinks maker says its bottles will not be seen at matches, in training or at press conferences following rows over the Gulf state’s brutal laws.
England skipper Harry Kane sips from a Lucozade bottle during a match in 2019
Goalie Jordan Pickford drinks from an unbranded bottle in training yesterday in DohaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
England’s James Maddison sips water in training todayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Harry Kane and his teammates will still be given drinks but they will carry no branding or logos.
The firm said today: “Lucozade is a proud long-term sponsor of the England team but we are not an official Fifa World Cup partner.
“We continue to support all England teams, who celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion.
“While the England team have access to our drinks for hydration purposes we will not have a brand presence at press conferences, training session or on pitches.”
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England flew into Doha on a Gay Pride jet, showing the red card to Qatar’s anti-LGBT laws.
Homosexuality still carries the death penalty in the repressive Muslim state.
Campaigners also slammed Qatar’s abysmal record on human rights and the conditions of migrant workers who built the stadiums.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate vowed to take a stand, and will also allow players to speak out against the hosts.
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He said it was “highly unlikely” he would follow Fifa’s guidance to focus solely on football during the tournament.
He said: “We’re very strong on inclusivity. We understand the challenges that this tournament brings . . . the human rights challenges.
“We’ve always spoken about issues we think should be talked about, particularly ones we feel we can affect.”
Kane has already shown support for the LGBTQ+ community by wearing a rainbow armband while playing for his club, Spurs.
The World Cup kicks off on Sunday but has already been rocked by controversy.

Today it emerged the Qatari royal family ordered stadiums to ban the sale of alcohol, U-turning on a deal with Fifa.
Tournament sponsors Buddweiser hit back with a brilliant tweet which was later deleted.
It said: “Well, this is awkward…”
Only Bud Zero will be allowed at the eight match venues.
It means that the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be the Doha city centre official Fan Festival.
A Bud there costs almost £12 – and punters get less than a pint as it’s served in 500ml glasses.
Alcohol is legal in Qatar but is normally only sold inside Western hotels where fans face paying up to £80 a pint.
The cheapest boozer we found sells beer for £7.60 but fish and chips will set you back £20.
But fans were warned they face being flogged or sent to jail for minor offences.
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Russia’s 2018 World Cup struggled to find brands willing to be associated with it following the Fifa bribery scandal and protests at Putin’s regime.
Sony, Johnson & Johnson and Castrol pulled out of sponsoring the tournament as revenue fell by £179million from Brazil 2014.
Kane leads the Three Lions team in training this week at the Al Wakrah Stadium in DohaCredit: AFP
The team flew to Doha on a Gay Pride jet to take a stand on LGBT+ rightsCredit: Reuters More

HOTELS across Doha are being evacuated at a moment’s notice for security concerns.Any hotel hosting one of the nations competing in the World Cup is thoroughly swept for bombs just before the team bus arrives for the first time to set up base.
Team hotels are the Qatar World Cup are being evacuated and searched for bombsCredit: AFP
Today, the Double Tree Hilton in the Saad district of Doha saw guests in the middle of their lunch in the Streat Culture bar told to down their knives and forks and immediately leave the building with the Ghana team soon to arrive.
Each of the 140 guest rooms – plus every office, bar and restaurant – was then thoroughly searched by a team with specially trained sniffer dogs.
Guests were left outside for around 15 minutes before being allowed back in.
And it shows that Qatari officials are leaving nothing to chance ahead of Sunday’s opening ceremony, followed by the host nation’s tournament opener against Ecuador.
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Meanwhile, Qatar has also banned all sales of alcohol at every World Cup stadium.
Fans travelling to watch their country in action are in for a dry tournament.
Fifa bowed to pressure after Qatar’s ruling Royal Family demanded the U-turn, with growing resentment against attempts to force through a more cosmopolitan approach to the tournament.
It means that the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be the Doha city centre official Fan Festival.
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PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
That’s where a beer costs almost £12 – and it’s less than a pint with the lager being served in 500ml glasses.
Official beer sponsor Budweiser are now due millions in compensation, with only Bud Zeros being sold at matches.
And they issued a hilarious response to the news on Twitter… before promptly deleting the tweet.
They wrote: “Well, this is awkward…” More

HANSI FLICK is hoping surprise package Niclas Fullkrug can be the answer to Germany’s long-term striker problems.Fullkrug marked his senior debut aged 29 by scoring the only goal of his country’s uninspiring 1-0 friendly win in Oman on Wednesday evening.
Niclas Fullkrug made his Germany debut in midweek aged 29Credit: Reuters
The striker has been in superb form this season for Werder BremenCredit: Getty
Fullkrug has experience playing in the German second-tierCredit: AP
Fullkrug plays for mid-table Bundesliga team Werder Bremen and is the first player from that team to play at the World Cup in 12 years -the last being midfielder Torsten Frings.
The striker played in the German second division last season, helping Bremen bounce back to the Bundesliga after relegation in 2020-21.
Fullkrug also has experience playing in the second-tier from spells with FC Nurnburg and Greuther Furth.
He earned a shock call up to the Germany squad after scoring ten goals for his team this season and is considered an old-fashioned number nine.
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Sources in the German camp claim Fullkrug could be the answer to a long-standing issue of having a ‘real number nine’ in the team since legend Miroslav Klose.
Fullkrug played at youth level for Die Mannschaft but has never before played for the senior team.
His one cap one goal record so far rekindles memories for England fans of former Portsmouth striker David Nugent who came on as a sub in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra and scored during his 11 minutes on the pitch.
He was never capped by England again however, whereas Germany fans are hoping unlikely hero Fullkrug can play a key role in Qatar 2022.
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Retired Southampton forward Rickie Lambert was 31 when he made his England bow.
Germany play their opening Group E game against Japan next Wednesday.
Germany boss Flick said: “I wanted the players to show me if they are ready to play at the World Cup – he did that.”
Flick does have injury concerns over iconic midfielder Thomas Muller with his country’s opening match less than a week away.
The 115-cap legend will only start full training tomorrow after a series of niggling injuries has hampered his season.
Muller, 33, has suffered back, stomach and hip problems in addition to a bout of Covid.
Flick said: “We already have lots of quality in his position but we will need them all if we want the tournament to be successful. It’s also about what the players offer us.”
Fullkrug is hoping to make an impact for Germany in QatarCredit: Getty More

WORLD CUP goers have been hit with the news this morning that alcohol will NOT be available inside stadiums in Qatar.But there is still a way England fans CAN enjoy a refreshing pint within the grounds of each arena.
Alcohol will no longer be served inside any of the eight World Cup venuesCredit: AFP
There is still a way England fans can drink inside stadiums at the World CupCredit: Getty
It has been confirmed that NO booze will be sold in any of the eight World Cup venues, despite promises that alcoholic drinks will be available.
The stunning U-turn from Fifa comes just days before the tournament kicks off and is a huge blow to Three Lions fans.
However, the new rule will NOT apply to official hospitality areas.
So any fans lucky enough to be in corporate seats will still have access to booze.
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Although tickets in the official hospitality areas cost four-figure sums and each box suite has sold for around £20,000.
Those seats have been promised “a selection of drinks available according to custom and preference; soft drinks, beers, Champagne, sommelier-selected wines, and premium spirits” available “before, during and after matches”.
It’s understood the U-turn has come under pressure from Qatar’s Royal Family.
So now any fans with general admission tickets for games will only be able to buy non alcoholic Bud Zero for around £7-a-pop.
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PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k

In a hilarious tweet after the announcement, which was quickly deleted, official beer sponsor of the tournament Budweiser said: “Well, this is awkward…”
A Fifa spokesperson said: “Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters. 
“There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums. 
“Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans. 
“The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™️.”
A spokesperson for the Football Supporters’ Association said: “Some fans like a beer at a game and some don’t.
“But the real issue is the last minute u-turn which speaks to a wider problem – the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters.
“If they can change their minds on this at a moment’s notice, with no explanation, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will fulfil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues.”
It now means the Doha city centre Fan Festival will be the only official World Cup site where fans gan grab an alcoholic drink.
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Prices there for a Budweiser are set at just under £12 – and not even for a full pint.
England kick off their campaign on Monday against Iran, before further group games against USA and Wales. More

THE WORLD CUP is officially the most valuable trophy in football.It has always been worth its weight in gold and now we know exactly what that is.
The coveted Jules Rimet trophy is valued at £227,000 at today’s pricesCredit: Getty
France are the current World Cup holdersCredit: AP
Boffins at Refinitiv Metals Research have worked out that the coveted Jules Rimet trophy is valued at £227,000 at today’s prices.
It is made up of 6.175 kilograms of 18 carat gold, the equivalent of 4.93kg of the pure stuff. 
If England captain Harry Kane were to steal it after lifting it he could have it melted down and flog it for about a week’s wages on the market.
The World Cup easily outstrips Uefa’s top two cups on value which are the Europa League Trophy and Champions League trophies – worth around £8k and £4K respectively.
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Spokesman for Refinitiv Metals Research Federico Gay said: “While the trophy is considered to be priceless by many, its melt-value compared to other major sports trophies places it at the top of the league.
“Although the gloomy economic environment this year has weighed on gold, price levels remain high compared with the period between 2012 and 2018 so if the winning team is feeling the pinch in this economic environment, they could well leave Qatar with a bit of extra cash in their back pockets.”
England’s World Cup campaign starts on Monday against Iran.
Gareth Southgate’s European finalists will also have to fend off challenges from Wales and USA to top Group B.
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The group will not be an easy task with all three of England’s opponents ranking inside Fifa’s top 20.
A knockout route to the final will be more tricky than England’s run to the semi’s in 2018.
Top the group and it’ll be the runners-up from Group A, which will be one of Qatar, Holland, Senegal or Ecuador.
A quarter-final date with France could happen should England get through the opening knockout round.
And if England match their 2018 finish they could meet the likely winners of Groups F and H – Belgium or Portugal.
After reaching the World Cup final as group winners, 2010 winners Spain, 2014 champions Germany or five-time winners Brazil may be waiting. More

BUDWEISER issued a brilliant Twitter response after Qatar banned booze from being sold at World Cup stadiums… before quickly deleting their tweet.The opening ceremony for the winter tournament is just days away, with the hosts taking on Ecuador afterwards.
Budweiser issued a hilarious response after Qatar banned booze being sold at stadiumsCredit: Getty
Fans will not be able to pick up a pint when going to watch World Cup games in QatarCredit: AFP
But footy fans in Qatar will have a dry World Cup after authorities performed a stunning U-turn on alcohol.
It had previously been promised that beer and other drinks would be available at all eight World Cup venues.
However, Fifa chiefs have bowed to pressure from the Qatari authorities and confirmed they will not be selling alcohol at any stadiums.
It’s bad news for official beer sponsor Budweiser, who are now due millions in compensation just one day after Fifa told fans they COULD buy booze at matches.
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It means that the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be the Doha city centre official Fan Festival.
That’s where a Bud costs almost £12 – and it’s less than a pint with the lager being served in 500ml glasses.
And taking to Twitter, Budweiser’s official account posted a hilarious reaction to the news.
They wrote: “Well, this is awkward…”
The now-deleted tweet from BudweiserCredit: Twitter@Budweiser
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Football fans were also in good spirits despite the ban, with one saying: “I cannot watch England play whilst I’m sober next Monday.”
Another laughed: “Just send Bud Light instead, they won’t notice it’s beer.”
One declared: “Send me the beer that will be wasted if you like.”
Another added: “It essentially tastes like water anyway.”
Meanwhile, only Bud Zero will be for sale at stadiums – each measure costing around £7 – and that the promises of alcohol being freely available has been scrapped with immediate effect.

But that will NOT apply to the official hospitality areas, where tickets cost four-figure sums and each box suite has sold for around £20,000.
Those seats and packages have promised “a selection of drinks available according to custom and preference; soft drinks, beers, Champagne, sommelier-selected wines, and premium spirits” available “before, during and after matches”.
That will not be an option for the thousands of fans who have bought normal stadium tickets and represents a huge change that will put Fifa under massive pressure to justify itself.
It is understood that Qatar’s ruling Royal Family has demanded the U-turn, with growing resentment against attempts to force through a more cosmopolitan approach to the tournament.
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Earlier this week, the Qataris ordered Fifa to move some Budweiser concession stands that were deemed too “intrusive” into less visible positions.
And after months of promises that Qatar would recognise that drinking is part of football fan culture worldwide, the sudden change will cause huge anger and upset for travelling supporters.
A spokesman for the Football Supporters’ Association said: “Some fans like a beer at a game and some don’t.
“But the real issue is the last minute u-turn which speaks to a wider problem – the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters.
“If they can change their minds on this at a moment’s notice, with no explanation, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will fulfil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues.” More