World Cup 2022

BELGIUM’S World Cup stars have been handed a boost… with their Wag’s granted permission to give them a mid-tournament visit.The Red Devils will be locked away at a hotel during next month’s finals in Qatar.
Thibaut Courtois is engaged to model Mishel GerzigCredit: Getty
Kevin De Bruyne will be joined by wife Michele LacroixCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
Brighton ace Leandro Trossard is married to Laura HilvenCredit: Facebook – Leandro Trossard
Axel Witsel has been married to wife Rafaella Szabo since 2015Credit: Instagram / @r_babyberry
But the Belgian FA has allowed the players’ partners and families to visit them for a night after their second Group F game against Morocco on November 27.
They will then have a few days to recover and prepare for their final group match against Croatia on December 1.
Head coach Roberto Martinez has approved the plan, in contrast to former boss Marc Wilmots – who favoured keeping his players away from their partners.
Martinez is due to announce his 26-man squad on November 11.
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The families’ invite will likely benefit Manchester City talisman Kevin de Bruyne, Brighton ace Leandro Trossard and Leicester quartet Youri Tielemans, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne and Dennis Praet.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard and fellow ex-Premier League stars Thibaut Courtois, Michy Batshuayi, Simon Mignolet and Toby Alderweireld are also set to welcome the morale-boosting decision.
The squad will be based at the luxury Hilton Salwa Beach Resort on the Persian Gulf.
Courtois and Mishel got engaged earlier this yearCredit: Instagram / @mishelgerzig
Courtois popped the question to stunning Mishel while the couple holidayed on a luxury yachtCredit: Getty
Mishel has 630,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @mishelgerzig
De Bruyne and Michele got married in 2017Credit: Getty
Witsel’s wife Rafaella has cheered on Belgium in the pastCredit: Splash News
The wives and girlfriends will have to make their own travel arrangements, with the Belgian FA refusing to charter a plane for them.
In contrast the Danish FA made headlines earlier this month by banning their players’ partners from the finals.
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But England’s Wags are poised to be out in force at the Qatar showpiece.
As exclusively revealed by SunSport, partners of the Three Lions are set to stay on a luxury £1billion cruise liner docked in Doha.
It includes six pools, 14 ocean-view jacuzzis, dodgem cars, salons, boutiques, restaurants, bars and the longest dry-slide at sea.
The Belgium squad are staying at the luxury Hilton Salwa Beach ResortCredit: Instagram @salwabeachresort
They will be joined by the Wags for one night onlyCredit: Instagram @salwabeachresort
De Bruyne and Co will stay in fancy roomsCredit: Instagram @salwabeachresort
The hotel is right on the beachCredit: Instagram @salwabeachresort More

GARETH SOUTHGATE could include several surprise names in his preliminary squad for the World Cup.Fifa rules stipulate that each country must submit a list of at least 35 players by Friday.
Gareth Southgate must submit a list of up to 55 names to Fifa by FridayCredit: Getty
The list will be kept secret and can include a maximum of 55 names, from which the final squad will be selected.
Southgate and other World Cup managers have to submit their final list of 26 players by November 14, but several more players will likely be selected until that point.
There are a few players on the fringes who could be included, such as James Ward-Prowse, Ivan Toney and Jarrod Bowen, all of whom have been called up before.
But there are many others whose chances of making the plane are much less likely, and here SunSport takes a look at ten of those players.
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Ben White
The Arsenal defender, 25, has had a brilliant campaign for the Gunners despite featuring in a less familiar right-back role.
He has also proven himself at centre-back and Southgate recognised his ability with a call-up to the Euro 2020 squad, and with the Three Lions suffering an injury crisis at right-back White will surely be included.
Ben White could make the World Cup after also making the Euro 2020 squadCredit: James Heaton/News Images
James Maddison
There has been a recent groundswell of calls for Maddison to go the World Cup, partly because of his form but also because some saw him as the solution to England’s recent goal drought.
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The Leicester star, 25, has five goals and two assists this season and although Gary Lineker described him as “England’s most creative midfielder”, Southgate does not seem to like him.
Many fans and pundits have called for James Maddison to be includedCredit: Getty
Harvey Elliott
Elliott is quietly impressing at Liverpool and would likely have a good chance of making the squad if competition was not so fierce.
The fact he has never been called up means Southgate will likely overlook the 19-year-old and allow him to continue progressing for the Under-21s, having won three caps so far.
Harvey Elliott has impressed for LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Southgate included the Chelsea star in his squad for the last World Cup in 2018 but his last cap came almost four years ago.
However, the 26-year-old’s versatility and ability to play at right wing-back means there is a chance he could be selected with Reece James and Kyle Walker possibly missing out though injury.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s versatility means he could be recalled to the squad for the first time since 2018Credit: Phil Bryan/News Images
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Once touted as a future England star, Callum Hudson-Odoi has failed to live up to his potential and is now on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Chelsea.
The 21-year-old has failed to score for the German side in nine appearances but his direct approach gives him an outside shot of making the squad.
Callum Hudson-Odoi last played for England in 2019Credit: Getty
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
England’s injury crisis at right-back means there could be an unlikely call-up for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is still yet to make his senior debut.
But he will need to get back into the Manchester United team and return to form if he is to persuade Southgate to take him to Qatar.
England’s injury crisis at right-back means Aaron Wan-Bissaka could make the squadCredit: Getty
Eberechi Eze
The Crystal Palace star – who has been capped by England at Under21 level – is playing his way into contention with two goals and two assists in the Premier League.
Eze, 24, has recovered well from an Achilles injury which sidelined him for six months and would offer England something different in midfield thanks to his ability to glide past players.
Eberechi Eze has found form at the right timeCredit: Getty
Chris Smalling
Smalling, 32, was dropped from the squad in 2017 because Southgate felt he was not suited to playing out from the back.
The England boss preferred John Stones and Harry Maguire but with the latter out of form he could look to Smalling, who deserves a place in the squad according to his manager Jose Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho believes Chris Smalling deserves a place in the squadCredit: Alamy
Dan Burn
Burn, 30, is another player who could appeal to Southgate because of his flexibility.
He can play in different systems as a centre-back or a left-back and his 6ft6 frame could be a threat for England from set-pieces, which proved so effective at the last World Cup.
Dan Burn’s flexibility could appeal to SouthgateCredit: Getty
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Ryan Sessegnon
Sessegnon, 22, is a more attacking left wing-back option and could earn a place in the squad if Kieran Trippier is needed on the other flank.
He may be reliant on Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell picking up an injury however as that duo were preferred for the Euros.
Ryan Sessegnon is behind Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw in the pecking orderCredit: Getty More

FOOTBALL fans heading to the World Cup can snag £23,000-a-night luxury hotel suites to watch the action in style.Or, at the other end of the spectrum, supporters can pay a bargain £75 to bunk in shared rooms.
Prices for the most expensive official World Cup hotel start at nearly £2000-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Fans can opt to sleep in style in luxury hotelsCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Fan villages have been put up out in the desertCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
One fan village is made up of rows and rows of white tentsCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
With around 1.2million people reportedly set to descend on Qatar for the World Cup, local authorities have worked to make a range of different accommodation available to fans.
But some of it will come at a cost.
Three Lions fans who make the trip to Qatar have the choice of living in style or bunking on a budget as they roar on Gareth Southgate and Co.
So here SunSport take a look at the accommodation on offer in Qatar with England’s World Cup opener just over a month away.
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Luxury hotels
Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world, and that is reflected in the price of some of the luxury hotel rooms on offer for the World Cup.
Southgate picked the five-star Souq Al-Wakra hotel as their base for the tournament, with similar glitzy hotels available for fans.
One third-party site is listing hotel rooms for a whopping £4,000-a-night, according to moneycontrol.
Or, if money is just an object, a third-party is flogging a “head of state” suite for a mind-boggling £23k-a-night – with a 30-night minimum stay.
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But official hotel prices for rooms that are still available on the World Cup official website start much cheaper than that.
They begin at just £137-a-night for the most basic rooms, with free access to an onsite gym.
Hotel prices range all the way up to the £1734-a-night starting prices for the glitzy Crowne Plaza Hotel in Doha.
The cheapest official hotel is just £137-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Fans get a decent living space for £137-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The Crowne Plaza in Doha is the priciest of the official hotelsCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The Crowne Plaza has an impressive lobbyCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
There is a swimming pool at the luxury hotelCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Apartments and Villas
Apartments and villas are also able to rent after 30,000 more rooms were listed this week, according to The Peninsula, just over a month before the tournament starts.
The cheapest official price for apartments start at £75-a-night for basic rooms with single beds and lockers.
Alternatively, the most expensive luxury villas start at £858-a-night and are right next to the Khalifa Stadium, where England play their opener against Iran.
The cheapest apartments start at £75-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The cheapest apartments have a basic interiorCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
There are luxury villas on offer if fans want more spacious quartersCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The most expensive villas start at £858-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
There is a living area and TV included in the more expensive villasCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Cruise ships
England WAG’s will live on board one of the two luxury cruise liners that will be docked in Qatar for the tournament.
They will live on board the five-star MSC World Europa, with the four-star MSC Poesia also available for booking.
Prices on board the MSC Poesia start at £159-a-night, with the glitzier MSC World Europa starting at £309-a-night.
The more expensive MSC World Europa boasts SIX swimming pools and a spa, and even the smaller MSC Poesia has three pools, a spa, plus tennis and basketball courts on board.
Around 40,000 supporters are expected to be staying on ships after Qatar chartered the two boats from MSC Cruises.
England WAG’s will stay on board the MSC World Europa
Two cruise liners will be docked in Doha and available to stay onCredit: MSC Poesia
Both ships have onboard swimming poolsCredit: MSC Poesia
Cabins start at £159-a-nightCredit: MSC Poesia
Fan Villages
Official fan villages that have been set up for the tournament, with some more appealing than others.
One option costs almost £200-a-night, but the “cabins” are more like glorified shipping containers.
Billed as an official fan village, the tiny cabins can fit up to two guests inside at a time, and are close to Lusail Stadium, where the final will be held.
One fan village has cabins reminiscent of shipping containersCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Supporters will be packed in like sardinesCredit: Getty
The cabins start at £183-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The price for tents starts at £183-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Supporters staying in tents will have to use communal showers and toiletsCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Fans will have to fork out £183-a-night per unit to be packed in like sardines.
Or, for the same price, a different fan village offers supporters the chance to stay in tents.
The Qetaifan Island Fan Camp has 1,800 tents, with each of them containing two single beds.
Fans staying there will have to make do with communal bathrooms and showers.
A cheaper option is the Caravan City fan village, where prices start at just £101-a-night.
That village is made up of beds that have been loaded onto caravans, but does include WiFi and TV screens, with six of the eight World Cup stadiums within a 20-minute drive.
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Prices for the most expensive fan village, located on a farm, start at a whopping £1819-a-night.
But for that price fans can enjoy the use of an onsite swimming pool, a massage tent, yoga deck, gym and 24/7 guest services.
The cheapest fan village is Caravan CityCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Prices for Caravan City start at £101-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Heenat Salma Farm is the most expensive fan villageCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Prices at the farm start at a whopping £1819-a-nightCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
There is a swimming pool onsiteCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The farm includes spacious areas for fans to relaxCredit: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 More

JOSE MOURINHO believes that Chris Smalling should be part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad.The defender is currently playing under the Portuguese manager for Roma in Serie A and is a regular in the starting XI.
Jose Mourinho thinks Chris Smalling is playing at a high enough level to be in contention for EnglandCredit: Getty
Smalling has been in good form for Roma in the Serie A this seasonCredit: Getty
Smalling has not represented the Three Lions since 2017 and has not been picked by Southgate for either of the last two tournaments.
However, the former Manchester United defender’s current club boss admitted that he would pick him for England off the back of his performances for Roma.
Mourinho said: “He was taught to play in a two-man defence in Manchester, but now he’s got the perfect acumen to play in a three-man backline.
“If I were the coach of a national team, I would do anything to have someone like him at my disposal.
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“I don’t think it’s a lack of respect to Gareth Southgate when I say that I feel very sorry for a player who’s playing at such a high level like Smalling and who won’t get the opportunity he deserves.”
England are somewhat in a defensive crisis at the moment after star defenders Reece James and Kyle Walker are likely to miss the World Cup in Qatar.
While other defenders John Stones and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also struggling for fitness, which could pave the way for Smalling to make a surprise return to the England set-up.
Smalling joined Roma from Manchester United in 2019 on an initial loan deal but after impressing the Italian club, they decided to make his move permanent for a fee rising up to £20million.
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The 32-year-old had a tougher second season in Italy as he struggled for consistent game time.
Last season however he was named man of the match in the Europa Conference League as Roma beat Feyenoord to win the competition.
In 2017, the England manager admitted that the reason he dropped Smalling was that he did not fit into his style of play.
He said: “I have huge respect for Chris. He is a player playing at a big club.
Gareth Southgate dropped Smalling from the England team as he picked players suited to his way of playing footballCredit: Getty
“We want to play in a certain way and the players I have brought in I want to see using the ball from the back and building it up in a certain way.”
However, Southgate did later regret his choice of words and is aware of how the defender has performed in Italy.
In 2020 Southgate said: “I think I said I probably regretted the way the message [came over] – by praising others for certain attributes, there was criticism for Chris.
“It was my fault and it was unfair on him. I think he’s done well in Italy. He’s playing at another big club.”
England start their Qatar World Cup campaign with the group game against Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium on November 21. More