World Cup 2022

CANADA captured the hearts of a nation during a fantastic qualifying campaign which saw them top their group, securing a place at just their second ever World Cup.Their first challenge is up against the second highest ranked team in the world, Belgium.
Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 to qualify for the World CupCredit: Reuters
Canada’s last appearance at a World Cup was in Mexico 1986Credit: Getty
Head coach John Herdman has started to deploy Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies in a more advanced left-wing position, with fans looking to the 22-year-old for an attacking spark.
Canada finished 24th out of 24 teams during their last World Cup appearance in 1986. So in truth, they can’t do worse this time round.
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to the Canada national anthem?
‘O Canada’ became the country’s official anthem in 1980, although it has been in circulation for a further 100 years.
Herdman has encouraged his players to sing loud and contemplate the meaning of the lyrics in Qatar.
Here’s how it goes:
O Canada,
Our home and native land!
Most read in Football
True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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

MOROCCO are all set to play in their sixth World Cup in Qatar, with an aim of matching their performance over 35 years ago.In Mexico 86′, the Atlas Lions surpassed all expectations, topping a group consisting of England, Portugal and Poland.
Hakim Ziyech has been called up to Morocco for the first time in 12 months after retiring from international duty following a spat with former manager Vahid HalilhodzicCredit: Getty
Morocco beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 5-2 on aggregate to book their place in QatarCredit: AP:Associated Press
It has been a bumpy road since then, failing to qualify for the World Cup in between 1998 and 2018. But they look to be back on track under new coach Walid Regragui, with a handful of talented players eager to impress.
Their campaign gets underway against Croatia.
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to the Morocco national anthem?
Little is known of the origins surrounding the ‘Moroccan Cherifian Anthem’.
The music was composed in the early 20th century, but it is the lyrics that spark particular interest.
Legend has it that the first time Moroccans heard the anthem sung was by crowds through a live broadcast of their first World Cup game in Mexico, 1970.
Most read in Sport
Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
Root of the free,Rising place of the Lights,Forum of glory and its protector,May you perpetuate as its forum and its protector.
Verse 2
May you live among the homelandsAs an address for grandeurFilling every heartconveyed by every tongue.

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

Chorus
With the spirit,With the body,Your son has comeTo answer your call.
Verse 3
In my mouth and in my blood,Your love stirred up as light and fire.Let’s go brothers!Heading for grandeur,
Verse 4
Making the world witnessThat we here perpetually liveWith the motto:God, Homeland, King. More

TUNISIA are one of many nations making their final preparations before the World Cup gets started in a few days time.The North African side get their campaign underway against Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark, who will also be vying for a place in the knockout rounds.
Tunisia topped their qualifying group before beating Mali 1-0 on aggregate to book their place in QatarCredit: Getty
Tunisia have never reached the Round of 16 in five appearances at the World Cup, but head coach Jalel Kadri will be hoping to make it six times lucky in Qatar.
He has even said he will step down if his side do not get through the group stages, stating on Tunisian TV: “If we do not reach the knockout phase, I will leave.”
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to Tunisia’s national anthem?
Humat al-Hima translates to ‘Defenders of the Homeland’ in English.
The lyrics were written in the 1930s by Egyptian poet Mostafa Saadeq Al-Rafe’ie.
The hugely popular anthem was adopted in November 1987, and is certainly patriotic!
Most read in Football
Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
O defenders of the Homeland!Rally around to the glory of our time!The blood surges in our veins,We die for the sake of our land.
Verse 2
Let the heavens roar with thunderLet thunderbolts rain with fire.Men and youth of Tunisia,Rise up for her might and glory.No place for traitors in Tunisia,Only for those who defend her!We live and die loyal to Tunisia,A life of dignity and a death of glory.

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

Chorus
As a nation we inheritedArms like granite towers.Holding aloft our proud flag flying,We boast of it, it boasts of us,Arms that achieve ambitions and glory,Sure to realize our hopes,Inflict defeat on foes,Offer peace to friends.
Chorus
When the people will to live,Destiny must surely respond.Oppression shall then vanish.Fetters are certain to break More

THE biggest tournament in world football is just around the corner, and SunSport have been taking a look at the countries’ national anthems.Denmark will be hoping to build on a fantastic Euro 2020 campaign which saw them reach the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to England.
Christian Eriksen will be key to Denmark in QatarCredit: Getty
Denmark beat France twice during the Nations LeagueCredit: Reuters
After doing the double over France in the Nations League, fans will be confident that they can go toe to toe with the defending champions in Group D.
Kasper Hjulmand’s first challenge is up against Tunisia in just a few days time.
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to Denmark’s national anthem?
Der er et yndigt land translates to ‘There is a lovely country’ in English.
The lyrics were written in 1819 by poet Adam Oehlenschläger, and the anthem boasts Denmark’s beautiful nature and rich history.
At the World Cup, only the first verse and last lines of the fourth verse will be sung, with the last line of each repeated once.
But we thought we’d treat you to the lot!
Most read in Football
Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
There’s a beautiful countryIt stands with wide beechesNear the salty eastern beachesNear the salty eastern beachesIt bays in the back and valleyIt’s called Old DenmarkAnd it it Freya’s hall
Verse 2
Who sat in former timesThe armour dressed fightersRested from the fightRested from the fightthen went up to the enemies injuryNow resting their legsBehind the menhir of the hills

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

Verse 3
The country that’s still greatbecause blue is the sea that wavesand the foliage is so greenand the foliage is so greenand noble women and beautiful virginsand men and healthy swainsinhabit the islands of the danishinhabit the islands of the danish
Verse 4
Hail king and motherlandHail any Danish citizenwho gives what he canwho gives what he canOur old Denmark will endureas long as the beech-tree mirrorsits treetop in the blue wavesits treetop in the blue waves More

THE World Cup is upon us and all players involved will be linking up with their countries before the ball gets rolling in Qatar.The Socceroos get their campaign underway against holders France, and will be hoping to impress.
The Australian team have touched down in QatarCredit: AP
Australia qualified for the World Cup after beating Peru on penaltiesCredit: Reuters
Australia travel to Doha for their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Although, they haven’t made it out of the group stage in their previous three attempts.
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to Australia’s national anthem?
To get them into the mood before kick-off, Australia sing ‘Advance Australia Fair’, which replaced ‘God Save the Queen’ in 1974.
The anthem was originally published in 1878 by Scotland-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick.
However, the lyrics were tweaked last year following complaints that they were divisive and failed to recognise the legacy of Indigenous Australians.
Most read in Football
Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
Australians all let us rejoiceFor we are young and freeWe’ve golden soil and wealth for toilOur home is girt by seaOur land abounds in nature’s giftsOf beauty, rich and rareIn history’s page let every stage
Chorus
Advance Australia fairIn joyful strains then let us singAdvance Australia fair

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

Verse 2
Beneath our radiant Southern CrossWe’ll toil with hearts and handsTo make this Commonwealth of oursRenowned of all the landsFor those who’ve across the seasWe’ve boundless plains to shareWith courage let us all combine More

IF you’re familiar with the Word Cup, you’ll know that all teams will have the chance to sing their national anthems ahead of kick-off. And SunSport have been taking a look at what they all mean.Mexico have qualified for the World Cup 17 times in their history, and are hoping to make it past the round of 16 for the first time in over 35 years.
Mexico have qualified for the last eight consecutive World CupsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Mexico head coach, Argentinian Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will be hopint o win the nation’s trust after losing three games in a row to the USACredit: EPA
However it won’t be an easy task, with South American giants Argentina standing in their way as favourites of Group C.
Manager Gerardo Martino gets his campaign underway against Poland, where viewers can hear the Mexican fans belt out the age-old anthem.
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to Mexico’s national anthem?
The Himno Nacional Mexicano is a cry of war.
It was first written in 1854 by poet Francisco Gonzales Bocanegra, and composed by the Spaniard Jaime Nuno.
Here’s how the anthem, steeped in patriotism, reads in English.
Chorus
Mexicans, at the cry of war,
Assemble the steel and the bridle,
And the earth trembles to it’s core
To the resounding roar of the cannon.
Most read in Football
Verse 1
Encircle Oh Fatherland! Your temples with olives,
Peace by the divine archangel,
For in heaven your eternal destiny
By the finger of God it was written.
If, however, a foreign enemy would dare,
To profane your ground with their sole,
Think, Oh beloved Fatherland!
That heaven has given a soldier in every son.
Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa will be key to keeping out goals for his sideCredit: EPA
Verse 2
War, war! With no mercy to any who shall try to tarnish the coats of arms of the Fatherland!
War, war! The national banners
Shall be drenched in the waves of blood.
War, war! On the mountain, in the valley,
The cannons thunder in horrid unison
And the sonorous echoes resound
With bellows of Union! Liberty! More

WITH the World Cup just around the corner, SunSport have been taking a look all the countries’ national anthems, and next on our list is Iran.England fans will be the first to hear it when when the pair face off in Gareth Southgate’s opening game of the tournament.
Iran have qualified for six World Cups in their history, but have never got past the group stagesCredit: Reuters
Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz, will return for a second spell managing IranCredit: Getty
Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man Carlos Queiroz will lead Iran out for his third World Cup as manager in Qatar.
But his side’s controversial national anthem may evoke a firm response from fans.
Read More on World Cup
What are the lyrics to Iran’s national anthem?
Iran’s national anthem, named Sorude Melliye Jomhuriye Eslamiye Iran, is the second the country has had since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
With the first one considered too long, famous poet Syed Bagheri collaborated with composer Hassan Riahi to create a shorter version.
Mehdi Taremi is the third top scorer in the Champions League and is expected to be key to any potential Iranian success at the tournamentCredit: Getty
The lyrics reference the Islamic revolution and the hope that the republic will survive forever.
It is thought that this notion could cause protests amongst fans who stand against the current government. Here’s the translation in English.
Most read in Football
Upwards on the horizon rises the Eastern Sun,
The light in the eyes of the believers in truth,
Bahman is the zenith of our faith.

Your message, O Imam, of independence, freedom, is imprinted on our souls.
O Martyrs! Your clamors echo in the ears of time.
Enduring, continuing, and eternal.
The Islamic Republic of Iran!

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