World Cup 2022

KYLE WALKER has ruled himself OUT of England’s World Cup opener against Iran.Gareth Southgate selected the Manchester City star in his 26-man squad for Qatar, despite him having not played for his club since October 2.
Kyle Walker took part in England training todayCredit: PA
Walker, 32, was involved in the session in 32 degree heatCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Walker, 32, gave his manager a boost by taking part in England training today.
The defender took part in a session at the Al Wakrah SC Stadium – where temperatures reached 32C on Wednesday.
But the opener vs Iran next Monday will come too soon for the full-back, according to Sky Sports.
Walker himself claims, however, that he will “raring to go” for their next matches.
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The Three Lions take on the USA on Friday, 25 November, before a Battle of Britain tussle with Wales on Tuesday, 29 November.
Updating fans on Walker’s status when naming his squad for Qatar, Southgate said: “Kyle’s a little bit different in that he’s not back in full training yet but he’s going to be available before the end of the group stage.
“Of course we had to make a very difficult call with Reece [James] who we think is a fantastic player but he wasn’t going to be available, if everything went perfectly, until the latter stages of the tournament.
“There are too many unknowns for us on that road to recovery and also I don’t think we can take a player who is not available for the group stages as that would be deemed arrogant in some circles.
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“But also, if everything went well and he was available and he was ready and we were picking him, then you’d be dropping him into a quarter-final after eight weeks out and that would be really demanding. Tough call.
“Kyle is a long way ahead of that and is progressing really well.”
The 70-cap star has made just seven Prem appearances this term, having suffered with a groin injury during the 6-3 win over Man United. More

THE match ball Diego Maradona punched during his notorious “Hand of God” goal has sold for £2million.Referee Ali Bin Nasser decided to sell the ball which he had kept since England’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.
Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal sent England out of the 1986 World Cup in MexicoCredit: Getty
Ref Ali Bin Nasser kept hold of the ball after the controversial World Cup quarter-final gameCredit: Darren Fletcher
The ball now is partially deflated after so many yearsCredit: AFP
Argentina legend Maradona, who aged 60 in 2020, famously said he scored with “a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the Hand of God”.
He also scored his “goal of the century” winner in the match, weaving past five England players and goal keeper Peter Shilton.
Tunisian Bin Nasser, 78, has previously insisted his view of the infamous handled goal was blocked so he followed FIFA rules by checking with his linesman before allowing it.
The bumbling ref was recently criticised for making money out of his blunder by flogging the ball for a fortune.
But when approached by The Sun he said: “I’m still selling it. I don’t care what you think.”
England legend Gary Lineker was less than impressed with the move.
The former Three Lions striker, who played in the match in Mexico, said: “How the hell did the referee end up with the ball?
“I’m so thrilled he’ll cash in on his cock-up.”
Before the sale, auctioneers Graham Budd estimated the partially deflated Adidas Azteca ball – the only one used for the entire 90 minutes of the match – would fetch  £2.5m to £3m.
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However, because the bid of £2m didn’t meet the reserve price, negotiations are now taking place.
A spokesman for the auctioneers said after the sale: “It was sold for £2million, but that did not meet the reserve price.
“There are now negotiations taking place between the bidder and seller to see if that sale price is acceptable.”
The ball is formed of 32 pentagonal panels with a black and white design inspired by the architecture and murals of the Aztec civilisation that flourished in central Mexico through the 14th to 16th centuries.
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The auctioneers’ notes stated: “After 36 years the ball is partially-deflated. Buyers should seek professional conservation advice before attempting to re-inflate the ball.” 
Meanwhile, the one penny coin used by the referee for the 1966 World Cup final toss was sold for £9,000 – more than four times the auctioneer’s anticipated final sale price of between £1,000 and £2,000.
The coin was flipped by Swiss ref Gottfried Dienst – with Bobby Moore winning the toss – before England beat Germany 4-2 at Wembley to record the country’s only World Cup win.
Dienst kept hold of the copper alloy penny until it was acquired from him by British football memorabilia collector Bryan Horsnell, who put it up for sale.
It bears Queen Elizabeth II’s profile on one side and Britannia on the other.
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Meanwhile, former England goalscoring hero Sir Geoff Hurst’s white 1970 World Cup shirt, when England went out to Germany in the quarter-final in Mexico, fell well short of the dizzying figures of his 1966 Wembley winning top, which in 2000 sold for £91,750.
England’s less successful fortunes saw the later No. 10 Umbro, Airtex, short-sleeved jersey with the three lions badge go for £8,500  – still well over the auctioneer’s pre-sale best estimate of £3,000.
Maradona, centre, scored twice in the qualter-final game against EnglandCredit: AFP More

HARRY MAGUIRE has “achieved MORE” for England than either John Terry or Rio Ferdinand.That’s according to Jamie O’Hara, who is backing the Manchester United captain to make a lasting impact at the Qatar World Cup.
Harry Maguire has made more of an impact for England than two legends, says Jamie O’HaraCredit: Getty
O’Hara reckons Maguire outshines Rio Ferdinand and John Terry when it comes to the Three LionsCredit: Action Images – Reuters
Maguire, 29, has started just five games for United this season, leading to questions over his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
But not only is the centre-back part of the 26-man side, he is also set to start in Monday’s group opener against Iran.
Southgate sees Maguire as a key part of his Three Lions set-up and has no plans to cut him out yet.
The decision for Maguire to get in ahead of players including Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi is not a popular one with fans.
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But pundit O’Hara believes the ex-Leicester man is more than deserving of his place in England’s starting XI.
Indeed, the former Tottenham man reckons Maguire has contributed more towards the national team than either Chelsea legend Terry or Utd icon Ferdinand, both regarded as two of the greatest defenders ever.
Speaking on TalkSport, fellow pundit Jason Cundy asked O’Hara: “When was the last time we [England] had a top, top, top class centre-half?”
O’Hara responded: “They got to the European final and the World Cup semi-final.
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“Harry Maguire has been in the team of the tournament in the World Cup and the Euros.”
Cundy then said: “But you can’t put him in the same bracket as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.”
O’Hara then retorted: “No you can’t at club level, but why can’t you at international level? He has achieved more than what they’ve done.
“Harry Maguire has achieved more than Rio Ferdinand and John Terry at international level.” More

DANI ALVES was only included in Brazil’s World Cup squad to babysit Neymar, according to reports.The right-back, 39, was a surprise inclusion given he is approaching the end of his career.
Dani Alves was reportedly called up to the squad to babysit NeymarCredit: Reuters
The right-back sparked controversy with a reckless tackle on Pedro in trainingCredit: Getty
He could not cut it at the top level at Barcelona last season and was subsequently released by the Catalan club before joining Mexican side UNAM.
But Alves is going to the World Cup and he will stay play a valuable role in the squad.
According to Diario Sport, Alves will act as a kind of babysitter for Neymar.
The pair have a strong bond that dates back to Neymar’s first inclusion in the national team set-up.
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Alves played when Neymar made his Brazil debut and he played an important role in persuading the superstar to make the move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.
And their close relationship means Alves is one of only two players in the squad who is able to assert authority and discipline over the forward.
Brazil captain Thiago Silva also has that privilege while PSG skipper Marquinhos also has some influence over Neymar.
Alves’ inclusion has proved a little controversial with former player Ronaldo wishing younger players had been given an opportunity.
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Also, training photos have emerged showing Alves committing a reckless tackle with his studs up on striker Pedro.
But if he keeps Neymar in check and motivated to perform, his inclusion could prove to be an inspired decision. More