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    Prince William reveals who he is supporting during the World Cup – and it’s dividing opinion

    PRINCE William has revealed who he is supporting during the World Cup – and it is already proving to be controversial.William has been President of the English FA since 2006 but Prince of Wales since September.
    Prince William has been President of England’s FA since 2006Credit: AP
    Actor Michael Sheen has hit out at Wills, saying it was ‘inappropriate’ for the prince to back England while holding the title of Prince of WalesCredit: PA
    He has joked he is supporting both England and Wales in their World Cup 2022 campaigns.
    Not everyone is happy with his decision to back England, with Welsh actor Michael Sheen calling the Prince of Wales’s support for England in the Qatar World Cup as “entirely inappropriate”.
    Sheen said his backing showed a complete lack of sensitivity after he gave Cymru’s World Cup rivals a special send-off before the tournament.
    Prince William told the Three Lions squad: “The rest of the country is behind you, we are all rooting for you. Enjoy it.”
    Read More on Prince William
    Both sides play each other in the group stages on November 29.
    And while his backing, as President of the FA in England, may be understandable to some, it has caused anger in Wales.
    Sheen said that the heir to the throne should be embarrassed for backing England at the same time as holding the title of Prince of Wales.
    Sheen tweeted: “He (Prince William) can, of course, support whoever he likes and as President of the FA his role makes visit understandable – but surely he sees holding the title Prince of Wales at the same time is entirely inappropriate? Not a shred of embarrassment? Or sensitivity to the problem here?”
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    Many supporters were in total agreement with Sheen’s comments.
    One tweeted: “He’s English, he can support England. In fact, he can support whoever he wants. But that title is objectionable – it implies national subjugation, it must end. He’s ‘Prince of Wales’ by dint of his dad giving him the title. It means literally nothing else, end it.”
    A second said: “William is English and should proudly support England. No problem or bitterness with it. I don’t need him supporting Wales out of duty. Let’s drop the farce and pretence of title of Prince of Wales and allow William to be himself.”
    While another added: “I have to say I agree. I’m a fan of his but he can’t be tone-deaf in his new role. If he is Prince of Wales he can’t be parading around supporting a rival at world stage competition. It’s embarrassing.”
    Not everyone agreed, however.
    CONTROVERSIAL DECISION
    One fan said: “He is the president of the English FA, of course he is going to support England. His title as Prince of Wales has nothing to do with it.”
    William addressed criticism of his support for England’s football team as Prince of Wales on his first visit to the Senedd in Cardiff, today.
    The future King tackled the subject head on during a light-hearted chat with the Llywydd Elin Jones during a tour of the Siambr.
    The Presiding Officer showed the Prince her Wales football bucket hat, which she had on her seat inside the chamber and said: “They play each other in a few weeks time. I won’t ask you!”
    ‘I’M SUPPORTING BOTH’
    But he replied: “No, it’s ok, I’m telling everyone I’m supporting both, definitely. I can’t lose.
    “I’ve supported England since I’ve been quite small. But I support Welsh rugby and that’s my way of doing it.
    “I happily support Wales over England in the rugby so I’ve got to be able to play carefully with my affiliations.
    “I worry otherwise if I suddenly drop England to support Wales then that doesn’t look right for the sport either. So I can’t do that.”
    He added: “An England v Wales World Cup final would be the best, that would be pretty good.”
    He went on: “I’m making sure I’m out there supporting Wales through all the process because I know it’s a big deal for Wales. When I was growing up, Wales weren’t getting through to the tournaments, so I had to make a choice.”
    The Llywydd told William: “I’m much older than you and when I was growing up Wales weren’t getting through to the tournaments. There had been some horrible results.”
    An England v Wales World Cup final would be the best, that would be pretty goodPrince William
    Wills asked: “1958, I believe was the last one? So it’s a big deal.”
    “It’s a huge deal,” she replied.
    Ms Jones, a football fan, said she would not be going because the World Cup is taking place in Qatar, adding: “It’s tragic that it is in Qatar, but the First Minister is going out and that’s going to be absolutely fine for him to go out, in my view.
    “But it’s confused.. we have this great huge happiness about it but then it’s a shame it’s in Qatar and a lot more people could enjoy it.
    “The Euros in 2016, they were glorious. I was there at the game when Wales beat Belgium 3-1 and that was absolutely fabulous.
    “But we will have the Rugby World Cup in France next year, that will be a big deal,” said William.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Wills sent England on their way to Qatar after helping to reveal the squad numbers.
    He has “no plans” to visit Qatar.
    William was made Prince of Wales following the death of the QueenCredit: AP
    Prince Wiliam gave a send off to the England squad before they flew out to QatarCredit: Getty More

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    Inside grim World Cup fan zone which looks like giant concrete car park with awful food & £12 PINTS – only after 7pm

    THEY promised something “huge” for the fans.The “best Fifa Fan Festival in history”.
    SunSport’s Martin Lipton visiting the fan zone ahead of the tournamentCredit: The Sun
    Fans face long queues to get insideCredit: The Sun
    During the day the fan zone looks like a giant car parkCredit: The Sun
    A Greek salad will set fans back £9Credit: The Sun
    Room for 40,000 supporters from across the globe to gather and watch the greatest show on earth.
    But in a land where expectation and reality do not always match, and where it pays to cast some doubt on everything you are told, the truth of the vast concrete space in the heart of Doha was something different.
    Yes, there is room enough for thousands, in front of a giant stage with a huge screen above it.
    Giant images of Jude Bellingham and Spanish prodigy Pedri.
    Read More World Cup News
    And yes, too, there are the promised food stands and “mega-immersive” and “multi-faceted” entertainment options. On paper.
    But tell hundreds of English, Welsh and German fans they will have to queue up for an hour or more to pay nearly £12 a pop for a plastic cup of Budweiser, from the sole beer stand on site, and you have a recipe for problems, if not chaos.
    Drinks are not served until 7pm local timeCredit: The Sun
    The food does not come cheapCredit: The Sun
    Fans are restricted to “four Budweiser units per person”Credit: The Sun
    The fan zone is in the centre of DohaCredit: The Sun
    Especially when they can’t even get a drink at ALL until 7pm.
    Or that they will pay a similar amount for a ropey paper plate of nachos with guacamole and an underwhelming chicken quesadilla, £9 for a Greek salad or £8 for a slice of pepperoni pizza.
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    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    At best, average.
    And in temperatures likely to be in the low 90s Fahrenheit when gates open each lunchtime from Saturday, pretty grim.
    Indeed, less a place for “celebration”.
    In such roasting conditions, more like a place for incineration.
    Since Germany 2006, the World Cup Fan Fests have been a place of fun and excitement, encapsulating the spirit of the tournament.

    Even in Russia, where there was also the unofficial 24-party in Red Square, it was smiles, colour… and booze. Lots of it.
    But not in Qatar, where those promises of beer and wine at not much than £7 a go have been turned into another desert mirage.
    Instead, beer, yes. One brand. One measure. Half a litre. Budweiser.
    But not until long after it’s dark.
    There is a giant picture of England ace Jude BellinghamCredit: The Sun
    SunSport counted 78 full fridges ready to serve drinksCredit: The Sun
    There is one beer stand on-siteCredit: The Sun
    A look at the menu inside the fan zoneCredit: The Sun
    And NO wine OR spirits.
    Just that Bud and the zero alcohol alternative.
    Crucially, too, the seeming guarantee of a long wait.
    Fans, restricted to “four Budweiser units per person”, face an elongated snake – reminiscent of the arrivals lounge at Heathrow at the height of summer – to get to the serving desks, although SunSport counted 78 full fridges ready to serve just Anheuser Busch’s “finest”.
    Then again, given the airport-style security screening just to get in – coins, belts, watches and even PENS set off the scanners – that was probably to be expected.
    Make sure you go to the loo before you start to queue.
    Or you might be REALLY uncomfortable.
    To be fair to the Qatari organisers, it will look a great deal better in the dark and relative cool, with the lights on, fans excited by the games, and the “international, regional and local” musical acts on the big stage.
    Mead Alemadi, the boss of the Fan Festival, said: “We’ve waited 12 years for this and we’re so happy to see all this happen.
    “People here will be having fun, looking at live matches with the best view of the Doha skyline.
    “We hope you all have the best possible time in Qatar.”
    Read More on The Sun
    And Fifa’s “head of experiential marketing” Gerdine Lindhout added: “This will be the best place to be in Qatar when you are not at a stadium.”
    If so, then the transformation will be a big one. It didn’t feel like an “amazing experience”. At all.
    A beer will cost just under £12Credit: The Sun
    Fans will pass through airport-style security screening to get inside the fan zoneCredit: The Sun
    The daytime heat is swelteringCredit: The Sun More

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    England fans snap up £40 Three Lions Hawaiian shirts to take the heat out of World Cup

    ENGLAND fans are snapping up Three Lions Hawaiian shirts to take the heat out of the game.The FA’s £40 garment has a red, white and blue tropical-leaf print covered in England crests.
    The £40 England Hawaiian shirt is perfect for tanning before Monday’s opener against Iran
    The open-button design is perfect for tanning beer bellies before Monday’s opener against Iran.
    But fans back home are also joining in.
    Ben Rispin, 23, of Newcastle, said: “I love this shirt. It’s bringing a bit of vibrant Hawaii across to a cold winter.”
    “I’m going to wear it over my retro Gareth Southgate England top and I’m sure it’ll bring me good luck.
    READ MORE WORLD CUP 2022
    And Tom Cullum, 23, of Surrey, said: “I’ve already bought one to wear into the office. It’s class.”
    Cam Clark, 25, of Brixton, South London, added: “It’s a funky twist on the normal colours. I’m buying it even though it may be a little cold.”
    Will McFarland, 24, also from London, said: “It’s vibrant, loud and something a bit different.
    “I like it, I’m buying it and I’ll wear it with pride. Come on England.”
    Most read in The Sun
    It comes after fans went mad for the £99.95 England cardigan which costs £25 more than the home and away shirts.
    The Three Lions shop website says of the Hawaiian alternative: “There’s nothing better to show off your team pride when you’re enjoying the sun this season.”
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    Play our World Cup score predictor for a chance to win £5,000

    THE 2022 World Cup in Qatar is upon us with 32 countries fighting to lift the trophy on Sunday, December 18.You could win £5,000 with The Sun’s World Cup score predictor game and here’s how.
    To be in with a chance to win the £5,000 prize, you must correctly predict the score for just one World Cup match. 
    You can enter the draw for as many matches as you wish, and each correct score prediction counts as an eligible entry.
    That means you have up to 64 chances of getting a score correct and entering the prize draw.

    What has happened so far in the 2022 World Cup?
    England are on their way to the Middle East as the World Cup gets underway this Sunday, November 20, with Qatar taking on Ecuador (7pm).
    On Monday there are three more matches as England kick-off their campaign against Iran (1pm), Senegal face the Netherlands (4pm) and the USA take on Wales (7pm).
    Most read in World Cup 2022
    The promotion is only open to residents in the UK.
    There will be one winner of £5,000 selected at random from all valid entries.
    Full terms and conditions for the World Cup 2022 score predictor can be found here. More

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    Sun columnists Tony Adams, Jack Wilshere and Harry Redknapp pick World Cup 2022 winners and England have cha-cha-chance

    SUNSPORT’S World Cup columnists Jack Wilshere, Tony Adams and Harry Redknapp kicked off the countdown to Qatar 2022 with a Q&A night in front of fans.The trio were joined by former England star Ledley King, with our Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS asking the questions . . .
    Skipper Harry Kane gets backing from our columnists as he aims to help England roar to World Cup Cup gloryCredit: Getty
    The Sun’s Head of Sport joined Jack Wilshere and Co to discuss expectations for Qatar and big questions like the Three Lions’ defenceCredit: Simon Jones
    Ledley King, Harry Redknapp, Jack Wilshere and Tony Adams spoke with SunSport’s Shaun CustisCredit: Simon Jones
    WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS  ON A WINTER WORLD CUP?
     ADAMS: I got out in time from Strictly Come Dancing so I could concentrate on watching the games!
    It’s perfect timing and I’m going to be glued to every game.Come on, England — let’s hope they can go further than I did on Strictly!
     REDKNAPP: It’s strange, isn’t it? We all get ready for summer coming, a World Cup, book our holidays around it and want to watch as many games as we can but I just find it strange.
    READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
    IS THE DEFENCE ENGLAND’S WEAK LINK AT THE TOURNAMENT AND SHOULD HARRY MAGUIRE START?
     WILSHERE: I’d play a back four to face Iran but should we look for momentum and go with a three?
    You worry about Harry Maguire in a two, Luke Shaw at wing-back and Trent Alexander-Arnold the same.
    Against Iran you might get away with it but against better teams we have to go with a back five.
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    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    As a manager you have your favourites, players you think you can rely on and Maguire is obviously one of them, so I can see why he has taken him.
    He is obviously a leader in that group but I don’t think he can play.If he does, we have to play a back three or five.
    Maguire is not even playing, at least Ben White is. I’d have included Fikayo Tomori and no Maguire.
     REDKNAPP: Southgate will never leave Maguire out, there’s no danger of that — he absolutely loves him.
    He has never let him down. I think he’s certain to start. He has his group that he believes and trusts in.
    IS THIS BUKAYO SAKA’S TIME TO SHINE AFTER OVERCOMING HIS PENALTY MISS AT THE EUROS?
     ADAMS: He can redeem himself on penalties like Stuart Pearce did at the Euros. Going forwards, we are the best in the world. Saka is on fire!
    He’s pulling Arsenal up to the top of the league, creating goals, scoring goals. He’s a magnificent player so I am positive.
     REDKNAPP: If not, he can always get a pizza advert! Stuart Pearce and    Gareth Southgate got a Pizza Hut advert after their penalty misses.
    Ex-England centre-back Ledley King recalled his ‘bittersweet’ World Cup of 2010Credit: Getty
    DOES GARETH SOUTHGATE DESERVE THE CRITICISM FOR ENGLAND’S STUTTERING FORM?
     KING: Gareth has brought that love back between the fans and players, which has been missing. During my time there was a disconnect. Gareth understands the youngsters. It’s a group that people like and can get behind. We should be proud of them.
    REDKNAPP: The criticism of him over the penalty-takers was fair. That was an almighty blunder he made to bring on a couple of kids who had not even warmed up to take penalties. It was strange beyond belief.
     WILSHERE: He is what everyone sees, a calm, nice guy and good man- manager. He didn’t give me a chance but he was nice!
    I got injured at the wrong time. He spoke to me, was honest and clear.
    It’s tough, he will be under big pressure at this tournament. There’s negativity around the team so the first game is massive.
    In 2018, it was tough to watch because I wanted to be there, I was annoyed. Me and Southgate never quite had that connection.
    WHAT IS IT LIKE TO  GO TO A WORLD CUP?
     ADAMS: I was clean, sober and free as a bird in France 1998 and it was wonderful.  When we went down to ten men against Argentina in Saint-Etienne with the atmosphere, I thought, “Oh my God.”
    But before that I was so serene and at peace and loved every minute — apart from not being skipper! Glenn Hoddle gave it to Alan Shearer.
    The lads played golf every single day and I was thinking, “Lads, rest up, we have a game tomorrow so chill out.” But I didn’t have the power when I wasn’t skipper.
     KING: From 2007 I put England to the side to focus on my club. I’d often break down with muscle injuries. Before the 2010 World Cup, Tottenham qualified for the Champions League and it was the first time I felt confident in my body that I could do it.
    I knew there was a lot of pressure on me from people saying, “Why are you taking him?”
    I played two warm-up games fine but in the first game against the USA I felt my groin go.
    I managed to struggle through the first half because I just couldn’t bear to take myself off the pitch. I knew there would be so many people saying, “I told you, you shouldn’t have taken him.”
    England notoriously had this effort from Frank Lampard against Germany not given at the 2010 World Cup and will need better luck this timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    I cheated my way through and I knew then that was it for my World Cup so it was really bitter-sweet.
    It’s every young boy’s dream to  represent your country at a World Cup.
    WHAT IS THE BEST CHANCE ENGLAND HAVE HAD TO  WIN IT SINCE 1966?
     ADAMS: In 1998, we had so much talent in the country then,. Becks and the Manchester United boys went on to win the treble. But we got done on penalties, fate kind of takes over.
    Was it Beckham’s fault? Yeah, of course it was! I went into the dressing room after and he was in floods of tears. I went over to him and joked, “That’s my last-ever World Cup chance and you’ve just blown it”. And he said, “Is he having a laugh here?”
     REDKNAPP: You need the breaks. Frank Lampard’s goal against Germany was two foot over the line in South Africa and, if it’s given happened, who knows what happens?
    It’s also the luck of the draw. Like in Russia 2018, Belgium ended up in the side of the draw with France and Brazil and we ended up having to face Raggy Arse Rovers, then Croatia, and we thought, “What a chance we’ve got here.”
    WHAT’S IT LIKE GOING  BACK TO YOUR CLUB WITH WORLD CUP WINNERS?
     ADAMS: In 1998, I went back to Arsenal training with five French World Cup winners. That was really good fun!
     WILSHERE: Of course the Germans waved their medals in our faces in 2014. Lukas  Podolski was a character. He reminded us every single day.
     REDKNAPP: I played with the ’66 winners Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters at West Ham.
    They got £1,000 each for winning and I remember Bobby told me they ended up in Danny La Rue’s club, the female impersonator.  
    They had a table right next to the toilet — the worst in the house and they’d just won the World Cup! It’s a completely different world. They came back and just got on with it.
    FINALLY, HOW FAR ARE  ENGLAND GOING TO GO?
     KING: We’re going to win it! There are teams in a better place than us right now but we can beat them.
    But Argentina have a good balance of being strong defensively and flair going forward.
     ADAMS: We’ll get out of the group and, if we get on a roll, who knows?
    Portugal will win it for me, though.
     WILSHERE: We will get out of the group comfortably but I fancy Brazil.
     REDKNAPP: It depends how we set up. We haven’t got a system of how Gareth plays football. That’s a  problem. We’re all up in the air.I’d go with Argentina — I have a feeling about Lionel Messi. More

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    England’s World Cup hopefuls land in Qatar — along with 3,000 travelling fans

    ENGLAND’S World Cup hopefuls flew into Qatar last night — with 3,000 travelling fans desperate for something to cheer.Three Lions supporters were stunned to find they face paying £11.57 for a 500ml glass of US sponsor Budweiser lager.
    England’s World Cup hopefuls flew into Qatar last nightCredit: Reuters
    The player and manager Gareth Southgate looked happy and relaxed as they touched down at in Doha’s Hamad International AirportCredit: Reuters
    Not only is that just 0.88 of a pint, but Fifa — who set the price — said there would be a “maximum purchase of four Budweiser units per person” to prevent bingeing.
    Nannying posters have gone up in capital Doha urging fans to “Drink Wiser, Cheer Better, Hydrate Between Buds”.
    There will be an alcohol-free version served up in the dry ­Muslim state, but even that will cost £6. Water is £2.30.
    And England’s following will not be the only ones hot under the collar.
    READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
    Gareth Southgate’s 26-man face training this afternoon in desert heat of 32C (89.6F).
    The players, captained by Harry Kane, looked happy and relaxed as they touched down at in Doha’s Hamad International Airport at 7.56pm local time.
    They made the seven-hour flight in Virgin Atlantic’s Gay Pride Airbus, dubbed Rain Bow, to back gay rights.
    But cabin crew bowed to Qatar’s cultural sensitivities by opting not to wear the airline’s gender neutral uniforms.
    Most read in The Sun
    An hour and a half after landing, the squad arrived at their five-star Souq Al Wakra Hotel base, on the coast south of the capital.
    Southgate waved to a crowd of hundreds of England-shirted fans singing: “It’s coming home”.
    They were among tens of thousands of expats believed to be living in the region.
    The players had already been cheered by crowds lining their route from their St George’s Park training base at Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, to Birmingham airport.
    The night before, FA President Prince William had given them a royal send-off with a surprise visit during which he handed them their squad-numbered shirts.
    Despite having split loyalties since becoming Prince of Wales, he told them: “What you and Gareth have built here is something special — that’s clear to see.
    The team faces training this afternoon in desert heat of 32CCredit: Reuters
    The previous night, Prince William had given them a royal send-off with a surprise visitCredit: Getty
    The Prince handed the 26-man squad their numbered shirtsCredit: Getty
    “Play for each other, support each other, enjoy it, and I’m sure you’ll go far.”
    The players, in comfy blue hooded tracksuits, looked relaxed and confident as they climbed the steps of their plane.
    Best pals Mason Mount, of Chelsea, and West Ham’s Declan Rice beamed from ear-to-ear along with Leicester’s James Maddison, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
    Read More on The Sun
    Beer fan Gus Hully has a brew from each of the 32 World Cup nations, including dry Qatar and Saudi Arabia, thanks to pals across the world. Cheltenham Town fan Gus, of East Finchley, North London, reckoned toughest to source was La Gazelle lager from Senegal.
    He said: “I managed to get a Russian fella living in Italy to bring me one back from holiday there.”
    The squad made the seven-hour flight in Virgin Atlantic’s Gay Pride Airbus, dubbed Rain Bow, to back gay rightsCredit: PA More

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    Who is Luke Shaw’s girlfriend Anouska Santos, do they have any children together and is he playing for England?

    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

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    I’m 37 but I’ll NEVER retire from England duty – Southgate chose me in 55-man World Cup squad and I thought it was joke

    ASHLEY YOUNG insists he’ll never retire from England duty – even though he thought making their 55-man World Cup squad was a “joke”.Aston Villa’s versatile veteran, 37, says he can still play at the “highest level” despite seemingly bowing out with the 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia in 2018.
    Aston Villa wing-back Ashley Young claims he would be as hungry as ever if he won another England call-upCredit: Getty
    Young’s last taste of international action turned sour when Croatia beat England 2-1 in the 2018 world Cup semi-finalsCredit: EPA
    And the 39-cap star is sticking to his word after confirming to Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate four years ago he would always be available.
    Ex-Manchester United wing-back Young said: “After the tournament I said to Gareth, ‘I will never rule myself out playing. I know you will go with younger players and I totally agree.
    “I am not retiring so if you ever need me, if you ever want to recall me, you can do, as long as I am playing well. It is down to you’.”
    Young was a surprise inclusion in Southgate’s long-list of players for Qatar 2022 in recent weeks, although he was never a serious contender to make the final 26.
    READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
    But he said: “To get in this 55 for Qatar shows you I must have been doing something right.
    “I was joking with someone from the FA who messaged me about the squad. I was like ‘This has to be a joke, surely?’
    “I will retire from international football when I retire from football. I can still play at the highest level.
    “I always say to players, just never give up on your dream — I never gave up.”
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    Yet Young admits it still “kills” him discussing Croatia’s comeback win in Russia four years ago.
    He said: “I cannot watch it. We should have won it. We should have got to the final.
    “Even now, it kills me trying to talk about it. I don’t like hearing about the game, either.
    “I know how good an opportunity we had as a group. We were naive in the second half.” More