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      Arsenal legend Wenger refuses to back down on plan for World Cup every two years to ‘give more countries a chance’

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      ARSENE WENGER is refusing to back down on his plan for a World Cup every two years.The former Arsenal boss has been the lead voice on Fifa chief Gianni Infantino’s proposal.
      Arsene Wenger still wants to hold a World Cup every two yearsCredit: Getty
      Infantino was forced into a significant retreat last month when three of his key allies turned their backs on the World Cup idea.
      It meant the planned D-day meeting, pencilled in for next month, was instead turned into a “summit” for further discussion.
      But Wenger, speaking alongside David Dein at a special fundraising event for the Twinning Project at the London Palladium, said: “The calendar is fixed until 2024 and nobody knows what will happen after that.
      “It needs to change because we need a more modern relationship between national team football and club football.
      “Covid has added to the problems. Today the whole world plays in Europe and that means that in the international break the players have to travel from there back all over the world for qualifiers.”
      Wenger, in his role as Fifa’s global head of football development, has also launched a new online training academy centre designed to offer drills from grassroots to elite level and be accessible around the world.

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      And the Frenchman tied that in to his World Cup argument as he added: “We want to educate all the countries.
      “The quality of competition for young players doesn’t fit everywhere in the world and that is what we want to change.
      “But I believe we have to give more countries the chance to play at a World Cup, which is why I came up with this idea of a tournament every two years.
      “I don’t decide that. It will be up to the 211 member associations of Fifa.
      “In Europe the infrastructure is there, in England too. But this is about the rest of the world.”
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      Latvia 0 England 10 Toone leads England thrashing of minnows as Lionesses progress in World Cup qualifiers

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      ELLA TOONE and England were on song as they crushed Latvia to strengthen their grip at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.The Manchester United star’s hat-trick in a lopsided 10-0 win helped make boss Sarina Wiegman’s 52nd birthday a winning one.
      Ella Toone netted a hat-trick England beat Latvia 10-0Credit: Getty
      Fran Kirby made her 50th appearance for EnglandCredit: Getty
      After the game, Toone said: I’m delighted that I managed to get the hat-trick, but more importantly, we got the three points which was the main thing we set out to do.
      “But for me, it’s been a special night and a very proud moment for me and my family.”
      England gaffer Wiegman added: “[Ella] is a very talented player.
      “I think she can do well because the whole team plays well and we have spoken about tasks and how we want to play and I think others do really well too. 
      “I don’t know how good Ella will become, that’s up to her, but she is very talented.” 
      The match saw Ellen White edge closer to beating Kelly Smith’s record as the Lionesses’ all-time top goalscorer, firing her 44th international goal that leaves her just three shy of breaking the record.

      That was despite the striker seeing her first-half spot-kick saved courtesy of a quality stop by Latvia keeper Enija Anna Vaivode.
      Latvia are currently 94 places below England in Fifa’s national team rankings. 
      And the country are thought to have just 1,800 registered female footballers.
      That gigantic gulf in class showed within the game’s opening quarter with Toone getting the visitors off the mark early. 
      The Red Devils ace latched onto Lauren Hemp’s well-struck curled cross to smash in a top corner effort in the eighth minute. 
      And the England playmaker nabbed her second moments later at the Daugava Stadium with Fran Kirby teeing her up after being brought down in the 18-yard-box.
      Such was England’s dominance over the Group D strugglers that Wiegman’s side had 85 per cent of possession in the game’s first 15 minutes.
      And they picked up two more goals before the half-time whistle.
      First through White’s strike, then via Millie Bright who tapped the ball home from yards out moments after the half-hour mark, following Kirby’s pinpoint free-kick.
      Ellen White moved closer to equalling Kelly Smith’s goalscoring record for EnglandCredit: AP
      The first-half’s closing stages saw England win a penalty after Hemp was brought down in the box.
      But Latvia keeper Vaivode pulled off a fantastic double save to deny White from the spot and then Beth Mead racing through to bury the rebound.
      The second spell saw Wiegman make changes with Nikita Parris, Demi Stokes, Rachel Daly and Georgia Stanway entering the fray.
      And Stanway made her mark with a swift pass to Mead with the in-form Arsenal star scoring England’s fifth of the evening from a tight angle at the far post.
      Team-mate Toone picked up another goal 13 minutes later to notch up her first senior international hat-trick in the 68th minute.
      From then on it was a deluge of four late goals for the visitors against the footballing minnows.
      Rachel Daly netted a 70th-minute tap in before skipper Leah Williamson passed the ball in to make it 8-0.
      Moments later City ace Stanway buried a shot into the bottom corner
      Leah Williamson and Beth Meadboth got on the scoresheet for England against LatviaCredit: Getty
      And Daly registered her brace with eight minutes of normal time remaining to wrap up a 10-0 thrashing.
      Following the hefty result, England will find out who they play at Old Trafford in the first match of next year’s Euros with the draw taking place on Thursday
      Toone added: “I’ve played at Old Trafford before and it was amazing.
      “Hopefully, to play there for England will be really special and we can get loads of fans in there and make it a special occasion.”
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      Sarina Wiegman puts the ‘team accomplishment’ above Beth Mead’s stunning hat-trick as England beat Northern Ireland 4-0 More

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      Chelsea star Fran Kirby eyes England 50th cap milestone with Lionesses targeting a win against Latvia

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      FRAN KIRBY is proud of the journey that has put her on the verge of making her fiftieth senior England international appearance. The Chelsea playmaker says the Lionesses will treat their World Cup qualifier opponents Latvia as they would any other side.
      Chelsea star Fran Kirby is in line to receive her 50th England international capCredit: Getty
      This is despite the minnows shipping a whopping 16 goals in their three previous encounters.
      Back in August 2014, Kirby – then a Reading forward – became the first-ever Women’s Championship player to be called up to the Lionesses senior squad before World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.   
      The WSL ace, 28, who netted on her England debut that year, said: “When I look back at my first England cap, I didn’t know the experiences I was going to have, playing in World Cups, playing in Euros, playing against the best teams in the world.
      “It’s a really proud journey for me and I’m just so grateful to be here and to be part of this team
      “I love playing for England, I love wearing the shirt and I love playing in a big tournament against big teams.
      “I’m happy with how it’s going and hopefully, I can keep building on it and keep working.”

      Kirby’s journey within the game has been one of many highs and a few lows with the Kingsmeadow star battling to overcome a heart disease which almost led her to consider retirement at 27.
      Since then the Lionesses star has gone from strength to strength, winning a WSL Player of the Year award and being shortlisted for the 2021 Ballon d’Or.
      The Blues’ all-time top scorer is targeting a third World Cup qualifying win this season with her team-mates and boss Sarina Wiegman in their away clash against Latvia.
      And Kirby insists England – currently ranked the eighth-best side in the world – will not take their assignment against their Group D rivals lightly.
      This is despite Latvia – who are 94 places lower in Fifa’s rankings – having lost their last 14 international games.
      Kirby added: “We will be favourites going in because we’re ranked a lot higher and we’ve played many higher placed teams than Latvia.
      Kirby says England will be approaching their match against Latvia as they would against higher-ranked opponentsCredit: Getty
      “But we know that we have to go in with the mindset that we have for every game whether it’s against top opposition or teams like North Macedonia or Latvia.
      “I don’t think we’re thinking too much about that. We’re just focusing on ourselves and focusing on what we can control in the game.
      “We’re just focusing on ourselves.”
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      Fran Kirby scores every goal in training More

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      England boss Wiegman says it will be a ‘hard decision’ picking Lionesses’ forwards to start against Latvia

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      SARINA WIEGMAN hinted Beth Mead’s electric form in attack has given her a selection headache before England’s clash with Latvia.The Arsenal ace’s history-making 15-minute hat-trick was amongst the goals that led the team to pole position in their World Cup qualifying group.
      Beth Mead could be in line to start against Latvia against EnglandCredit: Getty
      The Gunners’ striker became the first woman to score three times for the national side at Wembley after coming off the bench as a second-half substitute.
      When asked if she has a tough choice picking who starts up front the Lionesses boss said: “Those thoughts I’ve had from the beginning when I started (the job) in September because I think we have many good players.
      “Some players play in the same position but have different qualities and are very good. I have hard decisions to make all the time.
      “We have the game against Latvia on Tuesday, so first let’s see how everyone recovers from playing Northern Ireland and then we’ll make the decisions later.
      “Everyone just has to be ready. We’re professional players, we want to win games. And we want to qualify for the World Cup and prepare for the Euros.
      “Everyone is very excited, but they are also working on their own development within our team.”

      The Lionesses have racked up 22 goals in their first three qualifying matches for the 2023 tournament with minnows North Macedonia and Luxembourg crushed 8-0 and 10-0.
      And the team had nine different scorers in both games with Mead netting once against the Macedonians and Beth England grabbing three goals across both encounters.
      Lauren Hemp reckons the Lionesses current attacking form is inspiring her to take things up a notch on the pitch.
      Lauren Hemp believes England’s form will improve following their three World Cup qualifying winsCredit: Getty
      The Man City winger, who made her senior international debut in a 1-0 friendly 2019 win against Portugal, came close to netting against Northern Ireland.
      Hemp, 21, said: “I get to train with the best players and that only brings out the best in me so it’s exciting to see the number of threats we have going forward.
      “We’re scoring goals we’re creating lots of chances, being patient on the ball.
      “I think we will keep improving and hopefully, the results will show going forward.”
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      Sarina Wiegman puts the ‘team accomplishment’ above Beth Mead’s stunning hat-trick as England beat Northern Ireland 4-0 More

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      England hopes of hosting 2030 World Cup still alive despite Euro final chaos after Uefa assurances

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      THE Euro 2020 Final chaos has not wrecked hopes of an England-led bid for the 2030 World Cup, MPs were told.Wembley chiefs are weighing up the humiliation of the stadium fan ban and £84,000 fine imposed by Uefa for the disgraceful scenes before the match against Italy in July.
      UK Sport believes an England-led bid to host the 2030 World Cup is still alive despite chaotic scenes ahead of the Euros 2020 final at WembleyCredit: Reuters
      But Simon Morton, chief operating officer of UK Sport which is working with the five British Isles nations and the Government on the £2.8m bid feasibility study, dismissed claims the concept is now dead in the water.
      Morton told the DCMS committee members in Westminster: “What happened was unacceptable.
      “I was at the match and pleased my daughter wasn’t with me as it was shocking and horrific and the opposite of what we want major sporting events to feel like. 
      “But the Uefa President, who is an important person in respect of the process, has gone on the record to say it will have no bearing whatsoever on our bid. 
      “The FA has commissioned a review. It is very serious but I do not think it’s our bid up in smoke.”
      Morton faced strong questioning from MPs including Tory committee chairman Julian Knight, who had earlier told talkSPORT we believed the Wembley scenes had “put a kibosh on the entire World Cup bid”.

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      He accused the FA of overseeing a potential “disaster”, suggested the feasibility study was now a “waste of money” and told fellow MPs the FA was a “basket-case” of an organisation.
      But Morton said the changes in Fifa’s processes – the final venue will be decided by the 211 member associations rather than the 22 eligible members of the ruling executive committee who embarrassed the FA’s failed 2018 bid – and the upside of hosting the tournament meant it was worth pressing ahead.
      He added: “We are talking about four to five million spectators, a global audience of three to four billion people, up to 40,000 volunteering jobs and billions in economic impact.
      “It would also be a tournament model which could be revolutionary and unprecedented in dispersing benefits across the five nations.
      “The things that have changed give us a level of confidence we might be able to close the gap from the last vote.”
      Influential figures within English and European football are privately urging the FA to junk the 2030 bid and instead focus n attempting to land the 2028 European Championships.
      And Morton said the key decision now would have to be made by the Government by the second quarter of next year after Fifa have finally published the bid requirements.
      Football chiefs feared Euro 2020 fan chaos at Wembley had undermined a bid to host the 2030 World CupCredit: Sportsphoto
      He explained: “We are assessing the benefits and impact, both social and economic, of hosting. 
      “Finally, we are looking at winnability and the bid process, given the history and the chances of success of a five-nation bid.
      “The five FAs and their Governments will have to size this up and take a view on whether they want to bid.”

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      Jason Sudeikis visits Wembley stadium as Ted Lasso More

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      Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger calls for referees to be able to publicly explain decisions after games

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      REFEREES should be given the green light to explain their decisions after games, according to Arsene Wenger.The former Arsenal boss, who is now Fifa’s head of global football development, suggested the change would bring clarity and openness to controversial calls during matches.
      Arsene Wenger wants referees, like Michael Oliver, to explain their decisions after gamesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Wenger believes one of the biggest issues for fans is not always knowing why decisions which affected their team were reached.
      And giving refs the option to address those criticisms would make a positive change, the Frenchman believes.
      Wenger often criticised Prem match officials during his 22-year spell in charge of the Gunners and in 2017 labelled ref Michael Oliver’s display “absolutely atrocious” after a defeat to Manchester City.
      On his idea for chance to publicly explain decisions, he said: “It would be a good way to avoid controversy and shut them down before they become a public debate.
      “We would have to get the support of referees to make it work.
      “And I don’t know what kind of state of mind they’re in after games to be able to give an opinion.”

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      Wenger has also been busy this month pushing his proposal to stage the World Cup every two years.
      That plan is backed by Fifa President Gianni Infantino but has drawn criticism from several quarters.
      Former Germany star Philipp Lahm is the latest to take issue with it, explaining: “Shortening the World Cup cycle would make football seem like all about money.
      “Sporting events require patience and time. This is crucial for their sustainability.”
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      England’s disappointing draw with Hungary sees Gareth Southgate’s side tumble down Fifa rankings after all-time high

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      ENGLAND’S draw with Hungary will drop them to fifth in the October world rankings.Gareth Southgate’s side matched the Three Lions’ highest-ever rating when they moved up to third last month.
      England’s disappointing draw with Hungary means they will slip down the Fifa rankingsCredit: Rex
      But they will be overtaken by Nations League winners France and Euro 2020 champions Italy when the next set of numbers are unveiled.
      Belgium, who have been top of the list for more than three years, will retain their place at the summit despite back to back defeats by France and Italy.
      But their advantage over second placed Brazil will drop to just 12 points if Tite’s team beat Uruguay in Manaus in the early hours of Friday morning.
      England can only gain a maximum of just over five points from next month’s final World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
      While four points will guarantee them their spot at Qatar 2022, they are at serious risk of dropping below sixth-placed Argentina.
      Lionel Messi’s side play Uruguay, Brazil and Chile next month with a chance of earning their spot early as well.

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      Southgate was not happy with Tuesday’s draw with Hungary, having beaten them 4-0 in Budapest only last month.
      He said: “Disappointing performance. We did not play at the level we need to play, simple as that.
      “It’s difficult to pin-point and we will look at the balance of the team. We made simple mistakes with the ball.
      “We have to go away and reflect and should not judge things on one game and that experiment.”
      The match was overshadowed by crowd trouble, which saw Hungarian thugs batter cops and chase them back down a tunnel during the first half.

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      Gareth Bale steps up recovery from injury as Real Madrid star looks for return to help Wales in World Cup qualifiers

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      GARETH BALE has stepped up his recovery from injury in the hope of being fit to lead Wales towards a World Cup play-off spot.The Real Madrid star has been ruled out since suffering a serious hamstring injury in training with the Spanish giants last month.
      Gareth Bale has been ramping his efforts to get fit to help Wales in their upcoming World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
      Wales boss Robert Page is optimistic his captain will be ready for November’s crunch qualifying double-header at home to Belarus and Belgium.
      And Real posted a picture on their website on Wednesday afternoon featuring the 32-year-old running at the club’s training ground.
      The sight of Bale back doing light training will be a major boost to Wales and their fans after Page’s men picked up four points without him in qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia.
      Reports in Spain suggest the forward could even return to action at the end of October.
      This would give the 32-year-old a couple of weeks to get up to speed for his country.
      Four points for Wales from their final two qualifiers would be enough for Page’s men to book a play-off spot next March for Qatar.
      Wales, who are third in Group E but level with the Czechs on 11 points, host Belarus at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 13 November.
      A positive result – on what would be Bale’s 100th international appearance – would push the Dragons into second spot in Group E as their rivals the Czechs do not play.

      Bale’s national team-mates are due to take on the Czech Republic and EstoniaCredit: PA
      But Page’s men face a daunting final day showdown with Roberto Martinez’s Belgium – ranked No1 in the world – on the final matchday of qualifiers on Tuesday 16 November.
      The Czechs have a favourable fixture in the battle for second place when they host Estonia.
      In addition, Tomas Soucek and his team-mates currently have a better goal difference of two over Wales and have scored four more goals in the qualifiers.

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