World Cup 2022

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      England World Cup boost as Chelsea star Reece James is ‘ahead of schedule’ in recovery from knee injury

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      ENGLAND defender Reece James is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury – so much so that he may make it to the World Cup.The Chelsea full-back is in a race against time to regain full fitness. after suffering knee ligament damage last month, with Qatar 2022 starting in just over two weeks.
      Reece James suffered knee ligament damage last monthCredit: PA
      But the England international is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery and confident of being fitCredit: THE SUN
      James is refusing to give up hope of making it on the plane to QatarCredit: SIMON JONES
      James, 22, has left no stone unturned in his rebab in a desperate bid to be included in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.
      And according to the London Evening Standard, the defender is “optimistic” about being on the plane to Qatar.
      They claim James has been stepping up his rehab in Dubai and has made better progress than first anticipated.
      The Blues ace hopes Southgate could still take him to the Middle East, even if he will not be ready for the start of the tournament.
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      Chelsea and James have been in regular contact with the FA and Southgate over his recovery from injury, which he sustained in the west Londoners’ 2-0 Champions League win over AC Milan.
      Southgate – who guided the Three Lions to the semi-finals at Russia 2018 – is set to announce his 26-man squad next Thursday.
      Despite being forecast to be out until mid-December, James has remained optimistic about his chances of playing in his second major tournament.
      He told SunSport: “I need to keep working hard over the next few weeks and see where I am on call-up day.
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      “I will try and not rule myself out. It is still slow and in the early stages.
      “I have been in rehab for two weeks, so I am still taking it day by day.
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      “The Chelsea medical staff have not given me a percentage of my chance of being back for the World Cup.
      “It is down to how I feel closer to the time and how stable it is.” More

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      Who is the youngest player to score at a World Cup?

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      PLAYING in a World Cup is an achievement in itself, but to score on the biggest stage of all takes real character.We’ll be taking a look at a few brave teenagers who stepped up to the plate and scored for their country.
      Jude Bellingham has become an important player in Gareth Southgate’s midfieldCredit: AP
      Jude Bellingham is likely to be the youngest player in the England camp this year, and the 19-year-old could write himself into the history books with a goal in Qatar.
      There are a few names on this list you may recognise.
      Who is the youngest player to score at a World Cup?
      To score over one thousand goals in your career, Pele had to get started early. The Brazilian takes top spot and is the only player under 18 to score, and the fifth-youngest player in the tournament’s history.
      He didn’t just net once, but five times at the 1958 World Cup, leaving him second-top goalscorer at that year’s competition.
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      Mexico’s Manuel Rosas is next on the list, scoring a brace in the first ever World Cup in 1930.
      The defender broke a less fortunate record a few days earlier, becoming the youngest player to score an own goal at the tournament.
      Pelé was just 17-years-old when he played for Brazil at the 1958 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Michael Owen takes the bronze medal, scoring in the group stages against Romania during the 1988 World Cup.
      The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker remains the only teenager to score for England at this level.
      A familiar face is sixth on the list. Lionel Messi came on as a substitute to score Argentina’s sixth against Serbia and Montonegro at the 2006 World Cup.
      He has since gone on to score five more, with his eyes set on more goals at Qatar.
      Michael Owen is the youngest ever Englishman to score at the World CupCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Here are the top 5:

      Pele (17 years, 239 days) – 1958
      Manuel Rosas (18 years, 93 days) – 1930
      Michael Owen (18 years, 190 days) – 1988
      Nicolae Kovacs (18 years, 197 days) – 1930
      Dmitry Sychev (18 years, 231 days) – 2002

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      Who is Yoshimi Yamashita? Meet Japan’s first female referee at the 2022 World Cup

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      IN a footballing first, Yoshimi Yamashata makes up a trio of the first ever women to officiate at a men’s World Cup tournament.She is joined by Stephanie Frappart of France and Salima Muksansanga of Rwanda, who are all set to make history in Qatar.
      Yamashita will be one of three women refereeing at the Qatar World CupCredit: AFP
      According to FIFA, the women will be joined by by Neuza Back, Karen Dias, Kathryn Nesbitt who make up the 69 assistant referees.
      Here is all you need to know about the Japanese trail-blazer.
      Who is Yoshimi Yamashata
      Yoshimi Yamashita was born in Tokyo in 1986.
      She refereed at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
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      Yamashita also became the first woman to referee men’s matches in the J-League and AFC Champions League.
      She told Japanese press that she feels “great pride and responsibility” after being asked to referee at the tournament.
      The 36-year-old admitted: “I didn’t think it would ever be possible to officiate men’s games, so the World Cup wasn’t in my thoughts.”
      She hopes that her inclusion will mark a big change in the wider game, stating: “I don’t see any difference between men’s and women’s football, so what is happening in Qatar needs to continue.”
      Yoshimi Yamashita took charge of the AFC Champions League Group G match between Melbourne City and Jeonnam DragonsCredit: Getty
      When asked about what her presence might mean for other women watching the tournament, Yamashita replied: “I want to tell young girls who are interested in becoming referees that our potential is growing.”
      However, she acknowledged that she feels “a certain amount of pressure to win everyone’s trust.”
      Yoshimi Yamashita has been keeping fit ahead of the tournamentCredit: AFP
      This is the first time a woman will have officiated in a men’s World CupCredit: AFP
      Japan’s first ever professional female referee has been keeping in top condition ahead of the tournament, making sure she is up to speed with the game.
      She said: “I’m really conscious of the speed, I make split-second decisions. I have to continue training that muscle as the World Cup draws closer and be prepared to adjust to speedy developments.”
      Yamashita is also keeping her mind sharp, revealing that she had been watching videos of previous matches.
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      Who is Jesus Valenzuela? Referee taking charge at the 2022 World Cup

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      AS the World Cup creeps ever closer, SunSport have been taking a look at the tournament referees, after they were announced by FIFA.Jesus Valenzuela is the only representative from his country heading to Qatar, with Venezuela having never qualified for a World Cup.
      Jesus Valenzuela has taken charge of some important gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Here is everything you need to know about him.
      Who is Jesus Valenzuela?
      Jesus Valenzuela was born in 1983 and made his professional debut in the Venezuelan First Division in 2011.
      Ten years on, he was named the South American Football Confederation’s best referee.
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      The 38-year-old took charge of the Copa America semi-final which saw Lionel Messi score the winning penalty in a dramatic shootout against Colombia.
      Valenzuela has also officiated at the Tokyo Olympic Games and more recently the South American World Cup qualifiers which saw Peru beat Colombia, forcing them to miss out on the tournament.
      Lionel Messi scored the winning penalty, sending Argentina through to the finalCredit: Reuters
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      Who is Facundo Tello? Argentine referee at the 2022 World Cup

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      WHILE England fans await to see Gareth Southgate’s final World Cup team, FIFA have announced their final selection of referees heading to Qatar.Amongst them is Argentina’s Facundo Tello, who makes up a group of six South American officials travelling to the Middle East.
      Facundo Tello is one of 39 referees officiating at QatarCredit: AFP
      Here is some more information on the Argentine’s career.
      Who is Facundo Tello?
      Facundo Tello was born in the Buenos Aires Province in 1982.
      Tello was quick to gain prominence in his homeland, officiating in the Primera Division after just four games in Argentina’s second tier.
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      He was asked to officiate the first ever Superclassic in 2018, returning the same year to referee the final, defining Sarmiento’s promotion to the Primera Division.
      In 2019, the 40-year-old gained recognition on the international stage, joining FIFA’s refereeing list.
      Facundo Tello officiated at the FIFA Arab Cup 2021Credit: AFP
      Tello was summoned to Chile where he was appointed fourth official at the South American Under-20 Championship.
      A call up to the 2021 Arab Cup followed, where he took charge of a match between Jordan and Morocco.
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      Who is Kevin Ortega? Meet the youngest referee at the 2022 World Cup

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      THERE is expected to be plenty of passion on show at this year’s World Cup, and Kevin Ortega has been brought in to keep things cool.The Peruvian is one of eight referees travelling from South America, making up a vast proportion of the 39 officials at Qatar.
      Sunset at the World Cup Countdown Clock in DohaCredit: AP
      Here is all you need to know about the tournament’s youngest referee.
      Who is Kevin Ortega?
      Kevin Ortega was born in Peru in 1992.
      He has been officiating in the Primera Division since 2015 and was enlisted as a FIFA referee in 2019.
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      Ortega made his debut in Peru’s highest tier at the age of just 23. The game between Union Comercio and Alianza Atletico finished 5-2 with Ortega reaching for his pocket twice during the 90 minutes.
      The 30-year-old entered the international stage in 2019, taking charge of an under-17 match between Argentina and Colombia.
      He was later summoned to his first senior match, officiating a friendly between Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago.
      Ortega was at the centre of attention after awarding Boca Juniors a controversial penalty against Bolivian side, Club Always Ready. This led to a police search of the referee’s booth, where Boca Juniors shirts were discovered.
      Ortega officiated Boca Juniors v Always Ready at the Estadio La BomboneraCredit: Reuters
      Whilst CAR accused Ortega of biased refereeing, Boca Juniors assured the gifts were usual practice.
      Ortega could become the second-youngest referee to officiate a World Cup final after Ivan Eklind, who was given the role in 1934, just a year younger than Ortega.
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      Who is Maguette Ndiaye? Senegalese referee at the World Cup 2022

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      ALL 32 teams involved at this year’s World Cup will be making their final preparations before boarding the plane to Qatar, and we’ve been taking a look at the referees.Maguette Ndiaye is one of five African referees called up to officiate at this winter’s tournament.
      Maguette Ndiaye has been appointed to referee in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Here is everything you need to know about the Senegalese.
      Who is Maguette Ndiaye?
      Maguette Ndiaye was born in 1986 and is the son of former international referee Papa Ndiaye
      He always keeps his whistle close by. Away from refereeing, Ndiaye works as a secondary school PE teacher.
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      Ndiaye has officiated a variety of major tournaments including the Club World Cup, CAF Super Cup, CAF Champions League, Under-20 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
      He took charge of a tense quarter final match between Egypt and Morocco, which saw the Pharaohs snatch the win during extra-time.
      Things got heated during the match between Egypt and MoroccoCredit: Reuters
      The 36-year-old came under fire on social media for appearing to push Getafe forward Munir during the game.
      He will be hoping for an easier ride this time round.
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      Who is Salima Mukansanga? Rwanda referee who is one of three female officials at the 2022 World Cup

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      THE Qatar World Cup is upon us and Salima Mukansanga is set to make history, becoming one of three women to referee at the World Cup for the first time since it’s creation.The Rwandan will join France’s Stephanie Frappart, Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita and 36 others to officiate the tournament.
      Salima Mukansanga will be one of three women officiating at QatarCredit: Getty
      They will be joined by three other female assistant referees, Neuza Back, Karen Dias and Kathryn Nesbitt.
      Here is a little bit more about the history maker.
      Who is Salima Mukansanger?
      Salima Mukansanga was born in 1988 and has been a FIFA registered international referee since 2012.
      She was selected to officiate both the 2019 Women’s World Cup and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
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      More recently, Mukansanga wrote herself into the history books, becoming the first ever woman to referee in the Africa Cup of Nations and any men’s top footballing event.
      On that day, she led an all female officiating team on to the field of play for the first ever time.
      Salima Mukansanga refereeing a match between Zimbabwe and Guinea at the Africa Cup of NationsCredit: AFP
      According to the Rwanda New Times, the 34-year-old also has a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery.
      After struggling to make it as a basketball player due to a lack of facilities, Mukansanga turned her focus to football, where she never looked back.
      After four years of managing women’s and lower-tier men’s matches, she was given her break and started refereeing games all across the continent.
      She was selected to officiate at the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, taking charge of the final between Cameroon and Nigeria.
      Fast forward to 2022, and Mukansanga is her country’s only representative at the Qatar World Cup, inspiring millions around the world.
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