World Cup 2022

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      Gareth Southgate wants to stay as England boss AFTER World Cup as Three Lions learn opponents for Euro 2024 qualifying

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is determined to remain as England boss after the World Cup.The defiant Three Lions boss penned a three-year contract after reaching the Euro 2020 final last year.
      Gareth Southgate is contracted with the Three Lions until 2024Credit: Getty
      But he has come under increasing pressure since the Euros, overseeing a disastrous Nations League campaign.
      A six-game winless run, including a 4-0 defeat to Hungary in June, has been less than ideal preparation for the Qatar World Cup.
      Southgate, 52, was in attendance at yesterday’s Euro 2024 qualifying draw – and outlined his desire to remain in charge for the upcoming campaign.
      He said: “As we speak now, I’m contracted to this time in 2024, but I am also well aware in football you have to get results.
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      “So the plan is there and the desire for continuity is there too, but I also don’t take for granted that you can underperform and expect to stay in that office.”
      The Three Lions’ dismal Nations League campaign saw them fall into Pot 2 for the draw – and being drawn alongside wily old foes Italy.
      England will face the Azzurri in a rematch of last year’s Euro 2020 final after drawing them from Pot 1.
      They will also have to navigate Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta.
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      On the opposition, Southgate added: “It’s clearly a tough draw given the quality of the opposition.
      “We’ve had draws in qualification that have probably been a little bit more comfortable.
      “Although, I’d have to say, Poland and Hungary in the last qualifying group was particularly tough as well. So we’re used to that.
      “The draws are what they are, it’s how you perform on the day.
      “England’s record against Italy is generally not very good — and we’ve got to improve that.” More

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      Paulo Dybala set to miss World Cup as Argentina ace suffers ‘very bad’ muscle injury while scoring penalty for Roma

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      TEARFUL Paulo Dybala could miss the World Cup after a freak injury when scoring Roma’s penalty winner in their 2-1 victory over Lecce.Roma boss Jose Mourinho believes the Argentina striker has a “very bad” muscle problem that might sideline him until 2023.

      Paulo Dybala seemed distraught after hurting himself scoring a penaltyCredit: Getty
      All appeared so smooth just moments earlier as Paulo Dybala strode up to tuck home a bottom-corner penalty winner for RomaCredit: Getty
      Ex-Juventus hero Dybala pulled up clutching the left leg he had used to stroke home his 48th minute spot-kick.
      Team-mates who had rushed to congratulate him immediately changed their reaction to concern as he grimaced and continued to hold his thigh.
      Dybala then hobbled off and was substituted straight away.
      Mourinho said: “The injury looks very bad. I’d say bad, but honestly after speaking with Paulo… I think very bad”.
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      Dybala is now expected to have medical checks on Monday, less than seven weeks before the World Cup starts in Qatar.
      Ex-Manchester United defender Chris Smalling headed Roma in front early on.
      And Lecce midfielder Mortan Hjulmand soon picked up a straight red card – via VAR – for a late challenge on Andrea Belotti.
      But Gabriel Strefezza stunned Roma by smashing Lecce level.
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      Mourinho threw on ex-Chelsea hitman Tammy Abraham and Leonardo Spinazzola for the second period as Roma needed victory to go fifth in Serie A.
      And on 48 minutes England hopeful Abraham was clipped by Kristoffer Askildsen, enabling Dybala to tuck home the decisive goal – as his last happy moment of the night.
      It’s just the latest injury problem for the 28-year-old, although until Sunday he appeared to be enjoying one of his best seasons for fitness.
      Paulo Dybala shows his concern as he is taken off injuredCredit: AFP
      Dybala could be out until the new year, according to Roma manager Jose MourinhoCredit: Rex More

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      England face Italy and Ukraine in horror Euro 2024 qualifying draw as rivals from Euro 2020 final to battle it out

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      ENGLAND will battle Euro 2020 nemeses Italy to qualify for Euro 2024.The Three Lions, who were in Pot 2 following their Nations League relegation, were pitted in Group C.
      England boss Gareth Southgate now knows his opponentsCredit: Reuters
      Italy are the reigning champions after beating England on penalties in the Euro 2020 finalCredit: AFP
      That sees them go up against Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri as their toughest opponent in a repeat of last year’s final which England lost on penalties.
      England will also face Ukraine, arguably the strongest team from Pot 3.
      And their group was completed by Malta and North Macedonia, who famously ended Italy’s bid to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
      Gareth Southgate’s side know if they finish in the top two of their group, they will guarantee their spot at the 24-team Euro 2024.
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      Elsewhere, Scotland were put into Group A with Spain, Georgia and Cyprus but will surely be tussling with Erling Haaland’s Norway to qualify.
      Wales must take on Croatia, Armenia, Turkey and Latvia in Group D, giving them a strong chance of making it through to a third major tournament in a row.

      Northern Ireland’s trickiest opponent are Denmark while the Republic of Ireland must try and somehow get past Netherlands and France.
      In total there are 53 nations across ten groups with the ten winners and runners-up qualifying.

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      The 24-team tournament will be staged in Germany with ten host stadiums across the country.
      The hosts were exempted from today’s draw in Frankfurt and are guaranteed their place in Group A, which kicks off at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on June 14, 2024.
      The remaining three spots will be determined by play-off spots.
      England beat Ukraine in their Euro 2020 quarter-final in RomeCredit: The Times
      North Macedonia stunned Italy in their World Cup play-offCredit: Getty More

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      Wales legend Chris Gunter ready to swap League Two for World Cup this winter after dropping down to play for Wimbledon

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      CHRIS GUNTER will swap League Two for the World Cup this winter.And the defender believes dropping into the EFL’s bottom division to join AFC Wimbledon in the summer gave him the best chance of booking his place on the flight to Qatar.
      Chris Gunter celebrates Wales beating Belgium in Euro 2016 to reach the semi-final
      Gunter, 33, was one of the stars of Wales’ incredible run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals — knocking out tournament favourites Belgium en route.
      But the former Reading and Nottingham Forest ace — who followed his Charlton boss Johnnie Jackson to Plough Lane this summer — had no qualms about getting his hands dirty against the likes of Crawley and Barrow.
      Gunter told SunSport: “The most important thing leading into a major tournament is to make sure you’re getting regular football. 
      “So from the summer until the World Cup starts, that is three to four months worth of playing time.
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      “I’m not going to improve or diminish in that space of time so the most important thing was to give myself the best possible chance of playing regular football, which I have done and at a place where I feel comfortable.”
      It is going to be a different world from taking part in the greatest football tournament on the planet which kicks off next month with Wales in the same group as England, USA and Iran.
      And Gunter is proud to be part of history yet again as Wales have not been to a World Cup since they competed in Sweden in 1958. Having been in that 2016 team that broke their 58-year wait to play in a major tournament, he also played in the Euros last summer.
      But the defender says it is a huge shame so many Welsh fans will be unable to go because either they have been priced out by the sky high prices in Qatar or because it falls just before Christmas during a cost-of-living crisis.
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      He said: “Regardless of where and when this tournament was being held, for Wales as a country I don’t think we can complain or see it in any negative way.
      “But the only slight bit of disappointment in the logistics of it is it may potentially stop as many fans as we might have taken had it been in the summer plus the whole cost of it will stop people too.
      “I don’t know how FIFA can control the prices of hotels and flights there. Like a lot of things in the world at the minute, things seem to be more expensive with the prices of stuff going up.
      “You should only hope when you have tournaments such as this with fans going from around the world that prices should be a fair one and not inflated so someone makes a load of money.
      “We saw during Covid times that when the fans are not there in the stadium, it’s a completely different sport. 
      “I know from trying to sort a few things out myself out there that it’s expensive. The host nations do have a responsibility to be fair hosts too.
      “But from a players’ point of view, the chance to go to a World Cup is hugely exciting, even if staging it in the middle of a football season is strange.
      “It won’t be like previous tournaments where you get a proper build-up to it. Right up to the tournament, we won’t be able to have too much thought about it because we’ll be still at our clubs and having games.
      “But I’m sure the day we go to Wales and meet up, it’s going to be a short build up and one full of excitement. Hopefully we can go there and do as well as we can.”
      Incredibly, Gunter might not be the only League Two player in the Wales squad.
      Midfielder Jonny Williams (Swindon) and keeper Tom King (Salford) could also be on their way to Qatar.
      Chris Gunter plays in League Two for AFC Wimbledon
      Salford keeper Tom King is also a Wales hopeful for this winter’s World Cup
      Swindon ace Jonny Williams could be going to the World Cup with Wales
      Gunter said: “It just shows you the strength of football in Britain. Name me a country in the world which can get 10,000 crowds for matches in the fifth tier like Wrexham do?“Football is getting better down the levels. It all filters down from the Premier League and is just getting stronger and stronger.”
      AFC Wimbledon got off to a slow start after relegation from League One but travel to Walsall today aiming to post their first back-to-back wins of the season.
      And Gunter said: “We’ve been playing well and apart from Stockport we could have got more out of the games. 
      “While we’re putting performances in and giving ourselves the best chances, we can get the results. We’re now aiming for the results to match our performances.”
      eBay’s EFL for Community Champions Event
      CHRIS GUNTER was speaking as part of eBay’s Community Champions event, in partnership with the EFL.
      eBay is the official partner of EFL as part of its wider Small Business United campaign.
      As part of the partnership, they have launched the 2022 eBay Community Champions event.
      eBay have launched the 2022 Community Champions event
      On October 15, AFC Wimbledon will take on Sutton United in the local League Two derby match. The Community Champions event is eBay’s own spin on this local derby, and a celebration of all things football.
      eBay has bought together four local grassroots teams to see who will be crowned ‘eBay Community Champions 2022’. Two local businesses, Hampers by Lauren, and Dassleresales sponsored the matchday alongside eBay.
      The event will be a series of fun football challenges and games which give grassroots players the opportunity to exhibit their football skills and flare, whilst being professionally coached by Wimbledon and Sutton players. More

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      Lionel Messi, 35, announces Qatar will be his final World Cup with one last chance to win trophy with Argentina

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      LIONEL MESSI has announced 2022 will be his LAST World Cup. The Argentine is currently 35 years old, but has confirmed his final appearance at the World Cup will be in Qatar.
      Lionel Messi will make his final World Cup appearance in QatarCredit: AFP
      Messi finally lifted the Copa America in 2021Credit: AFP
      Qatar will be his fifth appearance with his nation at the world renowned event, with his first coming in 2006.
      He confirmed: “This will be my last World Cup — for sure. The decision has been made.”
      The Barcelona legend’s record in the World Cup stands at six goals and five assists from 19 appearances.
      Messi previously suffered heartbreak in the 2014 final when an extra-time strike from Germany’s Mario Gotze ended his World Cup dream.
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      The World Cup remains the one elusive trophy from Messi’s illustrious cabinet.
      Messi and Argentina will enter this tournament as the reigning champions of South America, having won the Copa America against Brazil last year.
      At club level, Messi’s future beyond next summer remains clouded in mystery with reports suggesting he is close to sealing a Barcelona return from Paris Saint-Germain.
      However, after a slow season last year Messi looks to be back to his best with an incredible eight goals and eight assists already this season.
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      Whether this means Messi will retire fully from international football remains to be seen, but he is no stranger to retiring from that part of football.
      He previously penned a shock retirement in 2016 after suffering a fourth Copa America final defeat.
      But he soon made a U-turn on this decision with his nation struggling to cope without his leadership and ability. More

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      Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole pick their England XIs for World Cup 2022 but disagree over formation

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      RIO FERDINAND and Joe Cole picked their England XIs after working as pundits on Chelsea’s 3-0 win over AC Milan.The Blues’ dominant victory saw Three Lions regular Reece James put in another brilliant performance at right-back, even getting himself on the scoresheet.
      Former Three Lions Ferdinand and Cole discussed their England XIsCredit: The Sun

      Both pundits agreed that they would start James over Trent Alexander-Arnold for England – and the BT Sport crew couldn’t resist going through their entire line-ups.
      The duo each selected very attacking teams, although did NOT agree on the formation.
      Ferdinand, 43, wants Gareth Southgate to deploy a 4-1-2-1-2 formation – with injury doubt Kyle Walker part of a defensive duo alongside Manchester City team-mate John Stones and Chelsea full-backs James and Ben Chilwell.
      Should Walker, who has just undergone surgery on a groin injury, miss the tournament – Rio would replace him with James and play Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
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      Cole, on the other hand, favours a back three approach – with Walker to the right of John Stones, and either Luke Shaw or Ben White to his left.
      The Blues legend would like to see Bukayo Saka given another go at left wing-back, with James on the right.
      Ferdinand wants to see Declan Rice deployed at the base of an extremely attacking midfield diamond.
      To the West Ham star’s right he would deploy Jude Bellingham and to his left Phil Foden – with Jack Grealish at the point of the midfield.
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      Cole, meanwhile, would play a more conventional midfield two comprising of Rice and Bellingham.
      Ferdinand’s team is completed by a front two including Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling – while he also admitted that Saka could “easily” come into his XI as well.
      Kane and Sterling also feature in Cole’s team, albeit with the latter on the left flank instead of up front.
      While Foden would be the 40-year-old’s right winger.
      Cole then claimed that Grealish would be his first substitute, with Ferdinand flabbergasted.
      The ex-defender queried: “Grealish don’t start in your team?”
      After a moment of awkward silence Cole meekly replied “no” – leaving the whole studio in stitches.
      Cole and Ferdinand were split over Jack GrealishCredit: Rex More

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      World Cup groups ranked from easiest to toughest as England land hardest possible opponents

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      ENGLAND and Wales have been confirmed as being in the TOUGHEST group at this year’s World Cup.Fifa’s final rankings before the big kick-off in Qatar in November saw Gareth Southgate’s England remain in fifth place in the global listings despite their six-game winless run.
      Based on Fifa’s latest rankings, England have drawn the short straw in Qatar
      Southgate has a good record in international tournaments so far, including a semi-final appearance at the last World CupCredit: PA
      Captain Kane is looking to lead England beyond the group and all the way to gloryCredit: Getty
      But with Rob Page and his Red Dragons 19th, USA 14th and Iran in 22nd, Group B’s average ranking per team is 15th, significantly higher than the other seven groups.
      The next tightest, according to Fifa at least, is group E, featuring Spain (seventh), 11th-placed Germany, Japan in 24th and Costa Rica (34th) for an average ranking of a fraction under 19th.
      That compares with Group A, where only Holland (11th) and Senegal (18th) are in the top 20, with Ecuador (44) and hosts Qatar (48) meaning an average ranking across the four teams of 29.5.
      Brazil retain their position at the top of the charts, with Belgium second, holders France third and Argentina fourth.
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      Indeed, the only riser in the top 10 is Italy, up to sixth after beating England and Hungary last month to win their Nations League group.
      But it will be scant consolation for Azzurri boss Roberto Mancini to know his side will NOT be the highest-placed side in the history of the rankings NOT missing out on a World Cup after their play-off disaster last year.
      That unwanted record remains held by Colombia, who were fourth in the Fifa standings ahead of the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.
      The World Cup is only six weeks away with holders France and Brazil among the favourites to grab football’s most prestigious trophy.
      Gareth Bale has played a big part in helping get Wales to the World CupCredit: Getty
      Christian Pulisic will be hoping to impress after a difficult spell at his club side ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      Hosts Qatar will kick off the opening game against Ecuador after a last-ditch effort by Chile to get the South American side kicked out of the tournament failed.
      Then England will host Iran the next day as they look to begin their campaign on a high.
      Debate continues to rage about who should make Southgate’s World Cup squad, with James Maddison putting himself further in the frame after his performance against Nottingham Forest for Leicester.
      Meanwhile, with a busy club schedule until the tournament begins in Qatar players will be desperate to avoid an untimely injury.
      Kyle Walker’s place in the 26-man squad is already in doubt after it emerged he had suffered an abdominal injury. More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville confirms he will work as pundit for ITV and beIN Sports at Qatar World Cup

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      GARY NEVILLE has confirmed that he will work for ITV and beIN Sports at the Qatar World Cup.The Manchester United legend has vowed to highlight human rights issues while working for Qatari-owned beIN.
      Gary Neville will do punditry work in QatarCredit: PA
      He tweeted: “Yes, I’m going to the World Cup and, yes, working for ITV and Bein. I will highlight those issues I have for years.”
      Neville, 47, was critical of living conditions for World Cup workers during a recent trip to Qatar.
      During the Sky Sports documentary, he said: “It’s a Portakabin with four curtains and two lockers on each side.
      “The wealth in this country and that level of accommodation for people, with the sacrifice they are making… It’s inequality like you wouldn’t believe. It’s staggering.”
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      Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, while women have to seek permission from men to marry, travel and pursue higher education via the male guardianship system.
      Neville’s old pal David Beckham signed a multi-million deal with Qatar to be the face of this year’s World Cup – something the pundit failed to mention while interviewing Golden Balls on The Overlap earlier this year.
      Quizzed why he didn’t mention it during a recent appearance on The Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast, Neville said: “I just wouldn’t ask him about human rights in Qatar.
      “The reality of it is he has a deal with Qatar, he’s comfortable with that. There are other people to be fair in Europe and this country… English players will all go over to the World Cup this summer, the FA will go to the World Cup in Qatar and play in Qatar.
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      “If they were that annoyed about it they wouldn’t go. I’ve been to Qatar for the last 10-15 years.
      “I’ve been going to Dubai since 2002, so you could argue in some ways I’m integrated into Middle Eastern society and I like the idea of working in the Middle East myself.
      “I’ll work with Middle Eastern TV companies during the tournament in December and have no problem with that, but still feel comfortable calling out their human rights.
      “I wouldn’t ask David Beckham about human rights in Qatar, I just wouldn’t do that.”
      He then added: “That’s the reality of life. I’m willing to go over and spend money in Abu Dhabi or spend money in Qatar, spend money in the Middle East.
      “Receive money from them for programmes or for what would be television appearances.
      “The reality of it is, I genuinely believe every region in the world has its own c**p, they do.
      “They have their own issues, their own things that they’ve got to deal with.
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      “My view would be that I’d rather work in a world where we do continue to deal with these countries and these regions – but what we try and do is soften their approaches on things like human rights and workers’ rights and the LGBT rights – these are issues that need to be addressed and dealt with.
      “Do we do that in the room or do we do that out the room? I’ve always felt we should do that in the room.”
      BeIN Sports are owned by PSG president Nasser Al-KhelaifiCredit: AP More