World Cup 2022

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      Why does England captain Harry Kane kiss his hand after he scores?

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      ENGLAND captain Harry Kane will be determined to lead his nation to their first World Cup win since 1966 – and he’ll want to be a record breaker in the process.Kane, 29, is just three goals away from breaking Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney’s English record of 53 goals.
      Harry Kane trademark celebration is to kiss his ring fingerCredit: Reuters
      And the Tottenham ace has been praised for his ability to score all different types of strikes in an England shirt.
      But Eagle-eyed fans have spotted that no matter what the occasion, Kane consistently celebrates by kissing his hand.
      Find out why below…
      Why does England captain Harry Kane kiss his hand after he scores?
      Harry Kane’s ring-kissing celebration is inspired by his childhood sweetheart Kate who he is married to.
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      The lovebirds began dating in 2005, but they have reportedly known each other long before this.
      However, Kane popped the question on a trip to the Bahamas in July 2017.
      Kane was first spotted doing his trademark celebration after scoring against Aston Villa in 2019 – the same year the happily weds got married.
      Harry and Kate got married in 2019
      Kane was first spotted doing the celebration against Aston Villa
      And the English goal machine has been doing it ever since, more notably for Tottenham having scored 192 Premier League goals since making his first senior appearance in 2009.
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      What has Harry Kane said about his wife Kate?
      Kane opened up on his relationship with Kate and admitted that he finds their story ‘a little crazy’ with how it all unfolded.
      The England captain said: “When I was in school she was my friend. We always spoke, but just got closer and closer and it went from there.”
      “She’s seen my whole career. Of course she’s finding it a little crazy.”
      Harry Kane also mentioned that when he needs to get something off his chest, Kate is always there for him.
      And the goal machine admitted that his wife is like his ‘best friend’.
      When is the 2022 World Cup? More

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      John Terry and Arsene Wenger lead beIN SPORTS’ all-star World Cup punditry team but controversial Egyptian included

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      GARY NEVILLE, John Terry and Brazilian legend Kaka will lead beIN SPORTS’ star-studded World Cup punditry team that has over 2,000 international caps between them.The Qatari broadcaster has assembled an A-list of footballing greats to cover next month’s showpiece.
      John Terry is among the top names that will be part of beIN Sports’ World Cup coverageCredit: Rex
      Arsene Wenger is also part of the star-studded line-upCredit: Getty
      Ex-Manchester United and Denmark goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel is on board, while World Cup winner Marcel Desailly, a star for Chelsea and France in his playing days, is too.
      Kaka, who was 2007 Ballon d’Or winner and lifted the 2002 World Cup, is joined by fellow former midfield greats Ruud Gullit and Lothar Matthaus.
      Ex-Italy ace Alessandro del Piero, former Spain star David Villa and Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta are both among the strikers that have also signed up for beIN’s punditry team.
      They will be joined by former England women’s international Lianne Sanderson and her Canadian counterpart Kaylyn Kyle.
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      Jason McAteer, who won 52 caps for the Republic of Ireland, and former United States internationals Jermaine Jones and Christopher Sullivan are also involved.
      And Arsenal great Arsene Wenger and ex-Premier League fave George Boateng, current assistant coach of Ghana, will be part of the team too along with former Tunisian international Karim Haggui and Egyptian Mohamed Aboutrika.
      However, Aboutrika’s inclusion among the pundits has led to a fierce backlash due to his controversial views on homosexuality.
      The 43-year-old, who is expected to just feature on beIN’s Middle East and North Africa coverage, was previously filmed claiming that homosexuality is against human nature.
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      He also went on to blast the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign – where players change their laces in support of the LGBTQ community between November 27 and December 2.
      Presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray, who were infamously axed by Sky over outrageous off-screen comments, will also be part of the line-up.
      Neville, who will also work for ITV at the tournament, has also faced criticism over his decision to work for beIN SPORTS – but he has insisted that he will have no issues discussing difficult issues regarding the Middle East during their coverage.
      He told Sportsmail: “When I highlight these issues, I can do so from a position whereby if I am covering eight games on beIN in a World Cup, and those issues come up or there’s an incident outside the stadium, I will highlight them, as I will on ITV, as I will on my own channels. I will never shy away from it.”
      Mohammed Al-Bader, the managing director of beIN’s MENA (Middle East and North Africa) channels said: “’With the greatest show on earth just weeks away, beIN SPORTS is delighted to have brought together the greatest and most diverse broadcast team ever assembled, who will proudly present the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 across 25 countries worldwide.”
      Hosts Qatar take on Ecuador in Group A in the World Cup’s opening match on November 20.
      All 64 World Cup matches will be shown across seven beIN SPORTS channels.
      Gary Neville has faced fierce backlash after agreeing to work for beINCredit: Rex More

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      Gareth Bale’s World Cup in doubt as Wales star forced to miss LAFC’s MLS semi-final with leg injury

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      GARETH BALE’S World Cup dream could be in doubt after he was ruled out of LAFC’s MLS semi-final through injury.The Wales captain, 33, is due to lead his nation in Qatar at their first global tournament since 1958.
      Gareth Bale is at risk of missing the World Cup through injuryCredit: Getty
      However, he will now be sweating over his fitness with just four weeks to go until the Dragons’ opener against USA.
      Bale missed Los Angeles FC’s dramatic 3-2 win over local rivals LA Galaxy on Thursday.
      He sat in the stands to watch the crucial victory while Giorgio Chiellini was used as a late substitute and Cristian Arango scored a 93rd-minute winner.
      When asked about Bale’s injury ahead of the World Cup,  LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo sounded positive: “He should be back in training very soon in the next couple of days. 
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      “In the next round we should have a full roster. That’s great. Moving forward we will have all options.”
      LAFC will play in the MLS Western Conference final on October 30 against either Austin or Dallas – with it hoped Bale can play a part.
      The Welshman has played just five minutes of football for his club side since his 90-minute run-out for Wales against Poland in September.
      And despite making 12 appearances for his new team since his debut in July, just two of those came as a starter for the £38,400-a-week winger.
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      Bale spent nine years with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League five times, before his contract expired in the summer.
      He only managed seven appearances in his final season with Los Blancos.
      But he saved his best form for international duty – with crucial goals against Austria and Ukraine to fire Wales to Qatar 2022.
      Bale’s deflected free-kick proved the only goal of the play-off in Cardiff.
      And it ensured Wales’ place in Group B alongside neighbours England, Iran and the Americans.
      Bale scored the all-important free-kick against Ukraine in JuneCredit: AFP More

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      Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah – England Under-21s’ all-time record scorer – will ‘NOT play for Ghana at 2022 World Cup’

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      ARSENAL star Eddie Nketiah will NOT be playing for Ghana at the World Cup, according to reports.The 23-year-old striker is the England U21 all-time leading scorer with 16 goals in 17 games.
      Eddie Nketiah will not be featuring for Ghana at the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, Nketiah is yet to receive a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad.
      And he has been tipped to switch his allegiance to Ghana.
      The African nation has already convinced Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey to represent them.
      And Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi is also in their sights.
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      Ghana Soccer Net claims FA chiefs were hoping to get an official decision by Nketiah before the World Cup.
      However, the Gunners star has opted to keep his options open for now.
      And Ghana will proceed with their plans for Qatar without Nketiah on board.
      It indicates the hitman remains keen on getting a debut cap for the Three Lions.
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      That’s after he signed a new long-team deal at Arsenal in June.
      Nketiah was widely expected to depart on a free transfer when his contract expired.
      But Mikel Arteta convinced him to stay at the Emirates.
      And despite facing competition from Gabriel Jesus this season, Nketiah has already clocked up 13 appearances – scoring twice in the process. More

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      How many goals has Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for Serbia?

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      FULHAM forward Aleksandar Mitrovic is Serbia’s marksman as they head into the 2022 World Cup.The 28-year-old has had an impressive return to the Premier League after guiding Fulham to promotion last season.
      Aleksandar Mitrovic has been on fine form for FulhamCredit: PA
      He shattered records, scoring 43 goals over the course of the campaign on his way to being named as Player of the Season.
      And now, he will be hoping to fire Serbia to glory in the World Cup.
      How many goals has Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for Serbia?
      Having made his debut for Serbia back in 2013, Mitrovic has since played for Anderlecht, Newcastle United and Fulham where he has become a prolific goalscorer.
      In 157 matches since making his move to Fulham permanent, Mitro has bagged 90 goals – an incredible return.
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      However, this is outdone by his goal scoring record for Serbia as Mitro is the main man in the team.
      Since his debut in 2013, the striker has bagged 50 goals in just 76 matches as he looks to become one of the Serbian greats and write his name in history at the World Cup. More

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      Why is Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic called Piksi?

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      SERBIA have it all to do in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as they seek qualification into the knock-out rounds.Facing Brazil on opening day, Dragan Stojkovic’s men will be hoping for a positive result against the favourites for the World Cup.
      Lothar Matthaus of Germany congratulates Yugoslav Dragan Stojkovic after their World Cup matchCredit: Reuters
      With Cameroon and Switzerland coming soon after, the Serbians will be hoping to put on a positive display in Qatar.
      They will do so under Stojkovic, with the manager having an unusual nickname.
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      Why is Dragan Stojkovic called Piksi?
      During his playing career, Stojkovic plyed his trade for Red Star Belgrade where he enjoyed a successful four years, reaching the sem-finals of the UEFA Cup and wining the Yugoslavia First League on two occasions.
      From here, the player moved to Olympique Marseille and won the Champions League with the club before he ended his career as MVP of the J-league with Nagoya Grampus.
      Yugoslavia’s Dragan Stojkovic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Germany in a group F World Cup match in LensCredit: Reuters
      It was during his playing career where he picked up his iconic nickname, being called ‘Piksi’ in Yugoslavia, even getting the Japanese fans to chant this during his latter days of playing.
      In a high-profile interview in Serbia, Stojkovic revealed that he was called Piksi after a cartoon character that he enjoyed watching, admitting that he never missed an episode.
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      This cartoon was Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks, with him taking the name from the main character.
      The nickname is still used during his managerial days, as he took over at former club Nagoya Grampus in 2008 before joining Guanzhou R&F in 2015 and being named as Serbia national team manager in 2021. More

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      When is the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony?

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      WE are closing in on the highly-anticipated winter World Cup in Qatar – and fans can expect to see a great show before the opening match.Host nation Qatar is scheduled to face a tough Ecuador side on the first day.
      Robbie Williams performed at the 2018 World Cup opening ceremonyCredit: Reuters
      But before the big kick-off, there are the usual formalities which include an opening ceremony.
      And SunSport has all the information on where it will be and who could be performing.
      When is the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony?
      The winter World Cup opening ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, November 20.
      It is expected to get underway at 3pm UK time – one hour before the Qatar vs Ecuador which kicks off at 4pm UK time.
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      Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of the capital of Doha is the allocated arena for this huge fixture.
      And Al Bayt Stadium can host around 60,000 spectators.
      Who will be performing at the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony?
      There has been a whole host of predicted global artists to perform at the opening ceremony.
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      But as of Thursday, October 20 only Bollywood star Nora Fatehi has officially been confirmed which is a big moment for the Indian entertainment industry.
      Reports suggest that hip-hop artists Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin will be performing.
      And they could be joined by grammy nominees Bangtan Boys, commonly known as BTS who have taken the K-pop genre by storm since 2013.
      Shakira is a strong candidate to get on stage having already had World Cup soundtrack experience with her “Waka Waka (this time from Africa)” song for the 2010 edition.
      Shakira’s Waka WakaCredit: Getty
      Nigerian artist Kizz Daniel is another name mentioned as well as American rap idol Lil Baby.
      But British fans will be most hopeful to see Dua Lipa who is also claimed to be performing in the opening ceremony of the most prestigious tournament. More

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      What does ‘Jules Rimet still gleaming’ mean in Three Lions?

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      IT’S almost that time again for England supporters to bellow out the popular Three Lions anthem at another World Cup.English fans will be hoping that their vocal cords will finally push the team to bring football’s most prestigious trophy home.
      England won their only ever World Cup in 1966 on home soilCredit: Getty
      but ‘Jules Rimet still gleaming’ is one part of the chorus which still confuses a lot of fans.
      And SunSport is here to clear up what exactly this means.
      What does Jules Rimet still gleaming mean in Three Lions?
      ‘Jules Rimet still gleaming’ is reference to the original World Cup trophy which was lifted by England legend Sir Bobby Moore after the Three Lions’ monumental win over West Germany in 1966.
      It was named after the man who was the third FIFA president and Rimet is the longest-serving president in the organisations history having held the position from 1921 until 1954.
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      The Frenchman was one of the masterminds behind the first ever World Cup which was held in Uruguay in 1930 and it was renamed in Rimet’s honour after he sadly in 1956 at the age of 83.
      There has been a lot of controversy around the Jules Rimet trophy as it was allegedly stolen from a display case in the headquarters of the Brazilian football association in 1984.
      And it was also stolen before England’s 1966 World Cup win which led to a nationwide police investigation before it was famously discovered by Pickles the dog.
      When is England’s first World Cup fixture?
      England get their 2022 World Cup campaign underway on Monday, November 21.
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      The Three Lions will be taking on Iran in Group B at the Khalifa International Sports Stadium.
      Kick-off is scheduled to get underway from 1pm UK time – 3pm local time.
      Gareth Southgate has until the deadline of Sunday, November 13 to submit his squad for the prestigious competition.
      England get their World Cup campaign underway against IranCredit: PA
      What are the Three Lions song lyrics?
      [Spoken]I think it’s bad news for the English game”We’re not creative enough, and we’re not positive enough”
      It’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming home
      [Spoken]”We’ll go on getting bad results, getting bad results, getting bad results, getting bad results”
      It’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming home
      Everyone seems to know the scoreThey’ve seen it all before,
      They just knowThey’re so sureThat England’s gonna throw it away,
      Gonna blow it awayBut I know they can play’Cos I remember…
      Three Lions on a shirtJules Rimet still gleamingThirty years of hurtNever stopped me dreaming
      So many jokes, so many sneersBut all those oh-so-nearsWear you downThrough the years,
      But I still see thatTackle by MooreAnd when Lineker scoredBobby belting the ballAnd Nobby dancing!
      Three Lions on a shirtJules Rimet still gleamingThirty years of hurtNever stopped me dreaming.
      Commentary -England have done it, in the last minute of extra time.
      What a save, Gordon BanksGood old England, England who couldn’t play footballEngland have got it in the bag.
      I know that was thenBut it could be again
      It’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming home
      Commentary -England have done it
      It’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s coming homeIt’s comingFootball’s coming home
      (It’s coming home)Three lions on a shirt (It’s coming home)(It’s coming)Jules Rimet still gleaming (Football’s coming home)(It’s coming home)Thirty years of hurt (It’s coming home)(It’s coming)Never stopped me dreaming (Football’s coming home)(It’s coming home)Three lions on a shirt (It’s coming home)(It’s coming)Jules Rimet still gleaming (Football’s coming home)(It’s coming home)Thirty years of hurt (It’s coming home)(It’s coming)Never stopped me dreaming (Football’s coming home)(It’s coming home)Three lions on a shirt (It’s coming home)(It’s coming)Jules Rimet still gleaming (Football’s coming home)(It’s coming home)Thirty years of hurt (It’s coming home)(It’s coming)Never stopped me dreaming (Football’s coming home) More