World Cup News

GARETH SOUTHGATE is backing Mason Mount to shine in a deeper midfield role. The Three Lions boss dropped a huge hint that the Chelsea ace will start in England’s second World Cup Qualifier against Albania on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate and his squad jet out to Albania for their second World Cup qualifierCredit: Getty
Phil Foden’s quality adds to the growing competition in England’s midfieldCredit: Getty
Southgate and his squad jetted out to Albania’s capital Tirana on Saturday looking to make it two from two after Thursday’s 5-0 victory over San Marino.
Mount, 22, started against the minnows – and Southgate suggested he could be in line to play again alongside best pal Declan Rice.
He said: “They did very well in the game we played against Iceland.
“Obviously that deeper position, Mason doesn’t play for his club but I think it’s possible for him.
“He’s a very intelligent player, he can play four, eight or 10. I think he would be able to adjust as required.
“There’s no doubt the balance of those two is good. But equally James Ward-Prowse was good (against San Marino) the other day and Kalvin Phillips is in excellent form as well.
“It’s an area on the pitch where we are starting to get some options. It’s been great to have Jude (Bellingham) with us as well. Like almost every position on the pitch we have a lot of competition for places.”
Manchester United’s in-form left-back Luke Shaw is also set for a recall into the starting XI.
Man Utd left-back Luke Shaw is in line for his first international appearance since 2018Credit: Getty
Keeper Dean Henderson could be handed an opportunity between the sticksCredit: Getty
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice in the 5-0 win over San MarinoCredit: Getty
Kieran Trippier is pushing for a start after Reece James started the last gameCredit: Getty
Declan Rice could start alongside best mate Mason MountCredit: Getty
Jude Bellingham made his England debut against San MarinoCredit: Getty

Shaw hasn’t played for his country since picking up an injury against Spain in 2018.
Southgate added: “He’s been very good.
“Luke played in the first Under-21 game I took charge of. There’s never been any doubt in our mind about Luke’s quality.
“He has obviously suffered from injuries and had to withdraw from a few squads but it has been great to see him playing on the front foot as a full-back with his defending and he’s been really ambitious with his attacking.
“He looks like he’s in good condition to drive forward, he’s got excellent quality with the ball and it’s a good moment for him.
“He’s aggressive against his wingers, he’s difficult to play against one-v-one, he’s getting better with his cover defending for his centre-backs. He’s got to find the level he’s shown at his club and play his game.”
Martin Keown says that Phil Foden should be ahead of Jesse Lingard for England More

ENGLAND’S crunch World Cup qualifying match against Albania was under threat last night after a row erupted between police and the local FA.The Three Lions are due to play the European minnows on Sunday in the capital Tirana at the national stadium after jetting in the day before.
England’s clash with Albania on Sunday is at risk of being postponedCredit: PA
But today the city’s police chief Rebani Jaupi told the Albanian FA the match could not go ahead in a row over security.
Although no fans will be present at the Air Albania stadium, nearby bars and restaurants will be open as the country doesn’t have a lockdown.
Mr Jaupi has said his officers cannot guarantee security as many of the venues have large window panels and outside tables and chairs.
And last night urgent talks were underway between the FA, police and the government to try and resolve the issue which could put England’s campaign in jeopardy.
Andi Vercani, of the Albanian FA, told The Sun: ”We are currently trying to resolve this issue with the authorities. It’s something that we hope can be resolved quickly within the next day.
“We need it to happen before the England team arrives on Saturday.”
The Albanian FA released a strongly-worded statement suggesting plans to postpone the contest would have a ‘catastrophic consequence’ on the country.
The statement, posted on Albanian Daily News, read: “Today in the Albanian Football Federation a letter arrived from the Local Police Directorate of Tirana which states the structures of the Local Police Directorate Tirana cannot guarantee the taking of measures before, during and after the Albania-England match.
The contest hosted at the country’s national stadium is under serious threatCredit: AFP
Businesses around the perimeter of the stadium have been asked to close their doorsCredit: AFP
“Faced with the situation where the state authorities did not react after the request of the AFA for the release of spaces on the perimeter of the National Stadium, we request urgent response to these structures.
“The cancellation of the Albania-England match would have catastrophic consequences for the image of our country, the National Team and in general for Albanian Football.”
An FA spokesman responded: “We are aware of the reports and continue liaising with the Albanian authorities.”
Earlier this week the Albanian FA asked the country’s prime minister to have around 30 per cent of seats, around 6,500 fans, inside the ground if they had been vaccinated but the request was turned down.
It is estimated that around 50,000 Albanians have been jabbed against covid but despite the refusal, another last-minute bid was being made to the government.
While the FA was aware of an issue in Albania after the country’s PM pledged to try to allow fans into the ground on Sunday, Wembley bosses were surprised to be told of the latest row.
Despite that promise, the England hierarchy believe the match will be played behind closed doors – if it does go ahead. 
FA chiefs will now make immediate contact with their counterparts in Tirana for a full update and explanation of the situation.
As it is a World Cup qualifier, the match is taking place under Fifa’s umbrella, rather than Uefa’s.
Further concerns have been raised over the quality of the pitch.

The 22,500 capacity stadium was only opened a year ago but a large section of the pitch doesn’t receive sunlight meaning grass hasn’t been able to grow.
According to the Times, a pitch expert has been drafted in to improve the quality of the turf ahead of the game with England.
While a Uefa insider confirmed that pitch won’t be perfect, they suggest it shouldn’t cause any major issues.
Gareth Southgate given boost by all England players reporting at St George’s Park More

ERLING HAALAND and Martin Odegaard led the way as Norway’s stars pushed a powerful human rights message before Wednesday’s 3-0 World Cup 2022 qualifier win against Gibraltar.There have been fresh calls to boycott World Cup hosts Qatar over their human rights record.
Norway stars wore a defiant human rights shirt before their game with Gibraltar
And Norway players proudly lined up before kick-off with a white shirt bearing the message: “Human rights. On and off the pitch.”
The Norwegian national anthem rang out as the players looked on defiantly.
Their stance comes after shocking claims of worker mistreatment by Qatar since they were named World Cup 2022 hosts a decade ago.
The Guardian says over 6,500 migrants – from countries including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India – have died working on construction sites in Qatar.
Among structures being built are new stadiums, roads, an airport and even a new city.
And the issue of the lack of human rights for migrant workers in the country has become more prominent ahead of this month’s first qualifiers for the tournament.
Liverpool and Holland Georginio Wijnaldum reacted angrily when asked by a journalist about playing in Qatar next year before tonight’s 4-2 defeat in Turkey.
And Norway have now made their stand against injustice in the Middle Eastern nation.

Unfortunately there was pain for Odegaard on the night after he picked up an ankle injury and was forced off.
But Norway did go on to win 3-0 thanks to goals from Alexander Sorloth, Kristian Thorstvedt and Jonas Svensson.
Meanwhile, SunSport exclusively revealed this month that tickets for the World Cup Final are already being flogged for over £42,000.
The hospitality packages are only available if at least two are purchased together.
And it allows punters to also gain tickets for the semi-finals and third-place playoff.
Erling Haaland shows off his football skills in Borussia Dortmund training More

HOLLAND’S hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup got off to a terrible start as they were taught a lesson by Turkey on Wednesday.Frank de Boer’s men were beaten 4-2 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul to raise fears of a second successive exit in the World Cup qualifying stage.
Burak Yilmaz scored a hat-trick as Turkey beat Holland 4-2Credit: Getty
The defeat raises fears of a second successive World Cup qualifying stage exit for the DutchCredit: Getty
Two first-half goals from Lille’s veteran striker Burak Yilmaz led the way for Turkey.
And the game was almost put to bed one minute into the second 45 thanks to a strike from AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
Holland pulled one back through Ajax’s Davy Klaassen before Sevilla’s Luuk de Jong added another.
But Yilmaz popped up in the 81st minute for an incredible hat-trick to sela the result.
Turkey had just 34 per cent possession against their Dutch counterparts, who also played nearly double the amount of passes.
And Turkey showed their efficiency in front of the net by scoring all four goals from just five strikes on target.
The Dutch boasted a strong XI away from home, with the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Frenkie de Jong, Mattijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay all starting.
But no amount of big names could stop the Dutch from conceding after just 15 minutes when Yilmaz burst through on goal.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Yilmaz scored twice in the first half with Hakan Calhanoglu making it 3-2 in the 46th minuteCredit: AP
Davy Klaassen and Luuk de Jong pulled two goals backCredit: AP

The forward then doubled his tally in the 34th minute with a well-taken penalty.
And Calhanoglu knocked the wind out of Holland’s sails with a sucker-punch strike moments in the second half.
Klaassen raised late hopes for the Dutch with a goal in the 75th minute.
And De Jong set up a thrilling finish with another strike one minute later.
But they were unable to muster the strength needed to find a crucial equaliser before Yilmaz bagged his third of the night with just nine minutes left.
It was not the start Holland boss De Boer was hoping for, with the Crystal Palace flop now having won just two of his first seven games since replacing Ronald Koeman in September.
Yilmaz struck late to seal the 4-2 win for TurkeyCredit: AP
Frank de Boer will be hoping to bounce back against Latvia and GibraltarCredit: AFP
Holland famously failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which was won by France.
They also did not reach Euro 2016, having been World Cup semi-finalists in 2014 and finalists in 2010.
Holland will, however, be at this summer’s Euros, where they take on Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia in the group stage.
But De Boer must first focus on the remaining World Cup qualifiers this month.
Holland host Latvia on Saturday before travelling to Gibraltar next week.
And after immediately slipping up in their first game, De Boer will be well aware he cannot afford to lose any further ground in the race to reach Qatar.
England prepare for San Marino World Cup qualifier More

BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly considering blocking Robert Lewandowski from playing for Poland against England on March 31.Under German quarantine regulations Lewandowski would have to isolate for 14-days upon arrival back in Germany after the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
Bayern Munich could block Robert Lewandowski from playing for Poland against EnglandCredit: Getty
There is currently a blanket ban on travel to the UK from Germany. And from Wednesday until at least March 28, people have to isolate for two-weeks once they return to Germany.
But the Bavarian giants have no interest in releasing Lewandowski for the game if it means he will miss games for them, according to Polish outlet ONET Sport.
The two-week isolation would see Lewandowski miss Bayern’s Bundesliga matches at RB Leipzig and at home to Union Berlin.
And assuming they progress to the Champions League quarter-final, he would also be unavailable for that.
Munich boss Hansi Flick recently hinted the Polish superstar would be staying put.
He said: “We do not take any risks and we want the players to immediately return to training after their return.
“If a player has to be quarantined, the club has the right to intervene.
“For us, the countdown has already started, from that moment we need all the players.”
CHELTENHAM FREE BETS: GET £60 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL

Teams are usually required to release their players for international duty but there are Covid related exceptions currently in place.
Bayern are likely to wait until the very last minute – March 29 – to make a decision, according to Bild.
There is currently a similar issue occurring with South American players playing in the Premier League.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told players due to fly to Covid ‘red zones’ in the international break they will not be allowed to travel.
Many of City’s squad are due to jet off to play for their countries in just over two weeks’ time.
But the Etihad boss says that any trip that involves a period in quarantine when they return to the UK will be blocked.
Guardiola says it makes ‘no sense’ for clubs to do without the players they pay for what will be a crucial part of the season, echoing the sentiment of Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp.
So City’s South American stars such as Ederson, Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero could be told to stay at home – with Fifa fighting to move matches to non-‘red zone’ European nations.
Guardiola said: “We will wait until after this game against United and I am pretty sure that next week we’ll talk about that.
“But I think it makes no sense if the players go to the national team and then have to isolate for ten days when they come back.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard for seven, eight or nine months and after the international break comes the real part of the season.
“And important players – maybe six, seven, eight, nine players – cannot play for ten days?
“It makes no sense – they are not going to fly. That’s for sure.”
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Ex-Arsenal star Stephan Lichtsteiner, 37, begins internship as watchmaker after retiring from football More