World Cup

THE social media star dubbed “Denmark’s sexiest fan” is backing her boys to do big things at the World Cup… and not just because of Christian Eriksen.Model Katrina Maria regularly posts sizzling snaps in her Manchester United gear – cheering on Eriksen and Co at club level.
Katrina is a huge Man United fanCredit: Instagram
The social media star has more than 100,000 followersCredit: Instagram
But on the international stage, it isn’t just about the magnificent attacking midfielder.
Katrina hails from the Faroe Islands – which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
And she moved to Denmark itself in around 2014 – deeming it only right to support them ever since.
That Eriksen has joined her beloved United, however, is a happy coincidence.
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Explaining her Red Devils love affair to the Daily Star in 2018, she said: “I have a bunch of friends who were watching the games and I started hanging out with them and started watching.
“Also my family are United fans. I think it is the thrill of it and just so exciting. I just love the atmosphere, it is like a big family.”

Asked for her favourite moment as a fan, she added: “I think 2013 when they last won the title, that was a great moment. I was with my friends and went out partying, we were having a really great night.”
Katrina has gathered over 100,000 Instagram followers, with many of them fellow United and Denmark fans.
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She may have been underwhelmed by the latter’s start to their World Cup campaign on Tuesday.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side drew 0-0 with underdogs Tunisia – with not even Eriksen being able to break the deadlock.
Denmark are back in action on Saturday when they take on reigning champions France at Stadium 974.
They will then round off their Group D campaign against Australia next Wednesday.
Katrina supports Denmark… and not just because of Christian EriksenCredit: Instagram
Katrina partied all night after United’s last title win in 2013Credit: Instagram More

THEY’RE the most successful nation in World Cup history with FIVE trophies to their name.But Brazil haven’t gone all the way since a Ronaldo-inspired success in 2002.

In fact, they’ve only ONCE made it past the quarter-finals in the 20 years since that day when they lost the third-place play-off to Holland in 2014 on home soil.
This winter, Tite has a star-studded squad itching to go the distance.
But before getting too ahead of themselves, Brazil must find a way to navigate a particularly tricky group, featuring Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
Up first, it’s potential dark horses Serbia – as SunSport takes a look at everything you need to know before the big game.
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How did they get there?
Brazil: Topped the outrageously-tough South American table with 14 wins from their 17 games, drawing three with ZERO losses.
Their clash with Argentina was scrapped after five minutes due to an incredible row over Covid.
Serbia: Won a tricky European Group A, winning six of their eight matches and going unbeaten, like Brazil.
Serbia, tipped as dark horses for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, beat Portugal to top spot to avoid the need for a play-off.
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How’s their form?
Brazil: Well, they’ve won every match since JANUARY 27 when they were held 1-1 by Ecuador in a feisty encounter.
Incredibly, their most-recent defeat came in the Copa America final in July 2021.
They beat Ghana 3-0 and Tunisia 5-1 in September, with both those teams in this winter’s tournament.
Serbia: Thumped Bahrain 5-1 in their pre-tournament warm-up match on the back of a strong Nations League campaign.
They won four of their group games, drawing one and losing one.
Prior to that, they beat Hungary – who inflicted England’s biggest defeat since 1928 just weeks later – with a 3-0 loss to Denmark shortly after.

Who are the managers?
Brazil: Tite – A hugely experienced boss having spent most of his career in his home nation, Qatar will only be his second World Cup having taken over in 2016.
The South Americans lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarter-finals in Russia four years ago, with Tite itching to make up this time around.
Tite has won a staggering 75 per cent of his 76 matches in charge of Brazil.
Serbia: Dragan Stojkovic – A former team-mate of Gary Lineker, he started his managerial career at Nagoya Grampus Eight, following in the footsteps of Arsene Wenger, who famously led the Japanese side before heading to Arsenal.
Stojkovic spent five years there, before moving to China to manage Super League side Guangzhou R&F, where he spent another half-decade.
The 85-cap international took over as Serbia boss in 2021 and has won a hugely impressive 14 of his 21 matches, losing just three times.

Who are the star players?
Brazil: Could easily list the entire 26-man squad, with a world-class squad more than capable of putting out two lethal XIs.
But their attack is the attention-grabber with the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Richarlison and Antony in the current group.
Yet they’re strong across the board, with Alisson and Ederson fighting for the No1 jersey, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Eder Militao in defence and Bruno Guimaraes, Fabinho and Casemiro in the middle.
Serbia: Aleksandar Mitrovic is the clear main man for the European side, with his last-gasp winner against Portugal securing their World Cup place.
His goals are invaluable to the team, but the squad is packed with top talent including Dusan Tadic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Vlahovic, with Luka Jovic, Filip Kostic and Nikola Milenkovic also in the 26-man group.
Brazil boast a star-studded squad including the likes of Neymar and Dani AlvesCredit: EPA
Aleksandar Mitrovic will be Serbia’s biggest threat at the 2022 World CupCredit: AFP
What’s the head-to-head?
The teams have faced off twice, with Brazil winning both.
The South Americans won a friendly 1-0 in 2014 shortly before the World Cup on home soil.
Brazil then beat them 2-0 in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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What TV channel will show the game?
The match will be shown on BBC One, with kick-off 7pm.
Alternatively, you can follow the match on iPlayer.
SunSport prediction
Brazil 2 Serbia 1 More

ALL eyes have been on Cristiano Ronaldo in recent weeks ahead of Portugal’s World Cup 2022 campaign.The veteran superstar, 37, saw his contract with Manchester United terminated on Tuesday following his explosive interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan in which he tore the club to shreds, from top to bottom.

Fernando Santos will hope Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t been too negatively affected by his Man Utd dramaCredit: AFP
Now a free agent, Ronaldo is playing for his very future in football.
And with Fernando Santos missing a number of key men for the tournament in Qatar, they’ll need Ronaldo to be at his best.
Portugal have never won the World Cup. In fact, they’ve never reached a final, finishing third in 1966 and fourth in 2006.
Aside from those years, the nation has only reached the last 16 twice, with a fairly poor record on the biggest stage.
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And they face a tricky campaign from the outset, going up against Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay in the group stage.
Progression to the knockout rounds is by no means a certainty – so SunSport takes a look at everything you need to know about them and their World Cup opener opponents Ghana.
How did they get there?
Portugal: Forced to do it the hard way as they finished second behind Serbia in their Uefa qualification group, despite six goals from Ronaldo.
They beat Turkey 3-1 before winning their play-off final 2-0 against North Macedonia – who had earlier KO’d Euro 2020 winners Italy.
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Ghana: Knocked out in the group stages of Afcon, qualification for the World Cup came in dramatic manner.
They topped their second-round qualifying group ahead of South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe before edging out Nigeria on away goals in their two-legged play-off to reach Qatar.
How’s their form?
Portugal: Won their pre-tournament friendly 4-0 against Nigeria, but form has been patchy.
They won three of their six Nations League games – including 4-0 victories over Switzerland and Czech Republic.
But they also lost to the Czechs, as well as to Spain – to go with another draw with their neighbours.
You’re never quite sure which Portugal will turn up, but when they do, they’re near unstoppable.

Ghana: It’s been a tough year, starting with a 3-0 battering against Algeria ahead of Afcon.
Things didn’t get any better in the tournament as they lost 1-0 to Morocco and 3-2 to Comoros, to go with a 1-1 draw with Gabon as they crashed out in the group stage.
Since then they’ve battled past Nigeria to reach the World Cup.
But even then it’s not all positive. They drew 1-1 with Central African Republic in their Afcon qualifier, following a 3-0 win over Madagascar.
They were then thumped 4-1 by fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan in this summer’s Kirin Cup semi-final, salvaging some pride with a penalty shootout win over Chile in the third-place play-off.
Since then, they’ve lost 3-0 to Brazil but beaten Nicaragua 1-0 and Switzerland 2-0… a real mixed bag.
Who are the managers?
Portugal: Fernando Santos – In charge of the nation for eight years and counting, Santos has been an international manager for over a decade, having managed Greece between 2010 and 2014.
Prior to that, he managed Porto, AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and PAOK.
Santos knows what it takes to succeed on the big stage, too – having guided Portugal to the Euro 2016 crown. He also oversaw the 2018-19 Nations League victory.

Ghana: Otto Oddo – Joined the national set-up in September 2021 as one of two assistant managers working under Milovan Rajevac.
However, the Serbian boss didn’t last long and German-born Oddo – who spent his playing days in the Bundesliga with the likes of Borussia Dortmund – was given the job.
Oddo was hired immediately before the double-header with Nigeria – and helped inspire their success.
However, he’s won just three of his nine matches in charge.
Previously, he’d worked as talent coach and then No2 at Dortmund following a stint as a scout for the Ghana national side.
Who are the star players?
Portugal: Guess who? We all know about Ronaldo’s talent and despite his on-running club drama.
He may no longer be in his prime but CR7 has got the ability to turn a match on its head singlehandedly.
But make no mistake, Portugal are packed with talent, including Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo.
A great mix of youth and experience with the likes of Rafael Leao and Pepe in the squad, too.
Thomas Partey is the biggest name in a strong Ghana squad for the World CupCredit: Getty
Ronaldo is the main man for Portugal but he’s more-than-ably supported by the likes of Bernardo, Fernandes and FelixCredit: Getty
Ghana: Arsenal star Thomas Partey is his nation’s main man, but the squad is chock full of talent.
Brighton whiz Tariq Lamptey has been named in the squad alongside the Ayews – Andre and Jordan.
LaLiga ace Inaki Williams is an exciting talent with just three international caps under his belt at present, with Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus one to watch.
There’s plenty of Premier League talent in the squad, too – including Mohammed Salisu and Daniel Amartey in defence.
What’s the head-to-head?
The two nations have played just ONCE – with Portugal running out winners.
The Portuguese edged out a narrow 2-1 win in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with Ronaldo on the scoresheet that day.
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What TV channel will show the game?
The game will be shown live on ITV1 with kick-off at 4pm.
The game will also be available on ITV Hub.
SunSport prediction
Portugal 2 Ghana 1 More

URUGUAY are two-time winners of the World Cup, but it’s been 72 years since they last lifted football’s biggest prize.Liverpool stars past and present in Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez are set to lead their charge in Qatar, which starts against South Korea.

South Korea will be hoping Son Heung-min is match fit after he suffered a fractured eye socket while in action for Tottenham earlier this month.
The Spurs star is expected to be ready in time to play against Uruguay.
The South Americans saw their 2018 campaign ended by eventual winners France in the quarter-finals, while South Korea have not made it out of the group stages since 2010.
Here, SunSport previews the Group H encounter.

How did they get there?
Uruguay: Booked their ticket to Qatar by finishing third behind Brazil and Argentina in South American qualifying.
Won eight out of their 18 games to be one of the four automatic qualifiers for the World Cup.
Qualification looked in danger until they won their last four games on the spin.
South Korea: Qualified for the World Cup after finishing second in their group during Asian qualifying.
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Finished two points behind Iran after winning seven, drawing two, and losing one of their ten games.
But qualification was never in doubt as they finished 11 points ahead of UAE in third.

What’s the form?
Uruguay: Lost just one out of nine games this calendar year – a 1-0 defeat to Iran back in September.
Won on their last appearance, a 2-0 victory over Canada, also in September.
Will come into the tournament full of confidence thanks to their impressive run of form in 2022.
South Korea: Also on a decent run of results, and are unbeaten in their last three games.
Warmed up for the tournament with a 1-0 friendly win over Iceland earlier this month.
Beat Cameroon and drew with Costa Rica in September.
Who are the managers?
Uruguay: Diego Alonso was named Uruguay boss in 2021 after he left David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
The 47-year-old was capped by his nation seven times as a player.
Diego Alonso is the man tasked with leading Uruguay in QatarCredit: AFP
South Korea: Paulo Bento was appointed as manager of South Korea soon after the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.
The 53-year-old will go up against his native Portugal in the group stages.
Bento also managed Portugal from 2010-2014, where he will be relishing a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Paulo Bento will be hoping to guide South Korea into the knockout stages for the first time since 2010Credit: AFP
Who are the star players?
Uruguay: DARWIN NUNEZ took a little while to adjust to life in Liverpool, but the 23-year-old is now in fine form.
The striker has netted nine goals in 18 games since joining the Reds from Benfica in the summer.
He did limp out of Uruguay training ahead of the game, but is expected to be fit enough to play a part against South Korea.
Darwin Nunez in Uruguay training earlier this weekCredit: AFP
How Uruguay could line up at the World Cup
South Korea: SON HEUNG-MIN has carried the hopes of South Korea on his shoulders for years.
The Tottenham ace, 30, has already racked up 104 caps for his country.
He will be appearing at his third World Cup, having failed to inspire them past the group stages on the last two occasions.
Son Heung-min has been training in a special mask after he fractured his eye socket at the start of the monthCredit: AP
How South Korea could line up at the World Cup
What’s the head to head?
Uruguay wins: 6
South Korea wins: 1
Draws: 1
What TV channel will show the game?
Uruguay vs South Korea will be SHOWN LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
The game will also be streamed on BBC iPlayer.
What are the odds?
Uruguay win: 4-5
South Korea win: 24-5
Draw: 13-5
SunSport prediction?
Uruguay will fancy their chances of topping the group ahead of Portugal, and victory over South Korea would be the perfect start.
With Nunez and Suarez set to be helped in midfield by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and Spurs ace Rodrigo Bentancur, the South Americans should have too much quality in this one.
2-0 Uruguay More

WITH Brazil also in the group, both Switzerland and Cameroon will know three points in this game could be crucial.Five-time winners Brazil are favourites to go through top, but second place is well and truly up for grabs.

And a clash between Switzerland and Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Cameroon promises to be a fascinating match-up.
The Swiss are some people’s dark horses after their impressive run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, which could have gone further had they not agonisingly lost on penalties to Spain.
But the same can be said about Cameroon, who also suffered penalty heartbreak earlier this year at Afcon.
Here, SunSport previews the Group G clash.

How did they get there?
Switzerland: The Swiss were shock winners of their qualifying group ahead of four-time World Cup champions Italy.
They qualified without losing any of their eight games.
Switzerland won five and drew three of their qualifiers to book an automatic ticket to Qatar.
Cameroon: Their route to the tournament was a more nervy one.
Cameroon booked their ticket to the World Cup by beating Algeria over two legs on away goals in the third round of African qualifiers.

A dramatic extra-time winner by Karl Toko Ekambi in the fourth minute of added time saw them edge through.
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What’s the form?
Switzerland: The Swiss warmed up for the tournament with a 2-0 friendly defeat to Ghana last week.
But Switzerland’s three games before that were Nations League wins over Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain.
Have the capability to beat anyone on their day.
Cameroon: Come into the tournament on the back off a poor run of form, but have the capability to turn things around.
They have drawn 1-1 with both Panama and Jamaica this month, and are winless in four games overall.
Last tasted victory with a 1-0 win over Burundi back in June.
Who are the managers?
Switzerland: Murat Yakin took over in the summer of 2021 after the Euros and successfully guided the Swiss to the finals after they missed out in 2018.
Has experience managing club teams in Switzerland, as well as Russian side Spartak Moscow.
Capped 49 times by Switzerland as a player.
Murat Yakin took over as Switzerland boss after Euro 2020Credit: AFP
Cameroon: The Indomitable Lions are managed by former Liverpool and West Ham star Rigobert Song.
Took over as boss earlier this year after Toni Conceicao quit following the Afcon semi-finals defeat.
Song, 46, is the highest-capped player in Cameroon history, playing for his country 137 times and at four World Cups.
Rigobert Song is the highest-capped player in Senegal historyCredit: EPA
Who are the star players?
Switzerland: GRANIT XHAKA has been in superb form for Arsenal this season and will be desperate to continue that at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old has scored four goals and provided three goals for the Gunners already this season.
Xhaka skippers the Swiss, and will be looking to lead by example in Qatar.
Granit Xhaka will be hoping to lead Switzerland to World Cup gloryCredit: EPA
How Switzerland could line up at the World Cup
Cameroon: VINCENT ABOUBAKAR is the captain and talisman.
The 30-year-old has scored 33 goals in 91 games for his country and helped Cameroon to Afcon glory in 2017.
Aboubakar was part of the Cameroon squad at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Vincent Aboubakar is set to skipper the Indomitable LionsCredit: Getty
How Cameroon could line up at the World Cup
What’s the head to head?
This is the first ever competitive meeting between the two nations.
Which TV channel will show the game?
Switzerland vs Cameroon will be shown LIVE on ITV in the UK.
The game will also be live streamed on ITVX.
What are the odds?
Switzerland win: 8-11
Cameroon win: 23-5
Draw: 13-5
SunSport prediction
Switzerland, who are ranked No15 in the world, should have that little bit more than Cameroon in this one.
The Swiss are on a good run of recent form, barring one blip, and will be favourites to come out on top.
2-1 Switzerland More

HOLLYWOOD superstar Will Ferrell has hilariously threatened to “deliver s*** to Aaron Ramsdale’s doorstep.”That’s after jokingly butting heads with the Arsenal star ahead of England’s World Cup clash against the USA.
Will Ferrell has threatened to ‘deliver s**t’ to Aaron Ramsdale’s houseCredit: Getty
The pair have engaged in a hilarious feud ahead of England vs USACredit: Rex
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take on Christian Pulisic and Co in Friday’s group stage clash.
England are looking to effectively book their place in the next round after beating Iran on Monday.
But the Americans are sure to be dangerous as they eye a shock win after being held to a draw by Wales.
It is sure to be a thrilling clash for fans on both sides of the pond.
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However, an unlikely rivalry has now emerged ahead of the crunch clash.
That’s after A-list actor Ferrell was sent a very cheeky message by England goalkeeper Ramsdale.
And it prompted a hilarious reaction from the Elf star, who threatened to get back at Ramsdale with a dirty protest.
Ferrell dealt the first blow when he appeared on Roman Kemp’s Capital Breakfast radio show.
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The part-owner of MLS outfit LAFC said: “I think it’s going to be a slaughter. USA 3, England 0.”
But Ferrell was left stunned when he was played a video message sent in by Ramsdale.
The Arsenal stopper said: “You’re a great actor and a hero of mine.
“I love watching your films but when we play your nation on Friday you’ll be the worst actor in the world.
“Elf will be on the shelf and it will be a little less Anchorman and more w*****man. Take care pal.”
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This prompted Ferrell to hilariously respond: “Mr Aaron Ramsdale… Aaron, you didn’t realise I know where you live, and I’m delivering a bag of s**t to your doorstep.
“I’m going to light it on fire and you’re going to have to stomp it out and you’re going to have s**t all over your little pansy boots. Alright, Aaron…” More

KYLE WALKER claims England have earned the right to show “arrogance” at the World Cup — because they are more talented than the Golden Generation.And the Three Lions have even more reason to be confident after skipper Harry Kane returned to training on Wednesday after an ankle injury scare.
Walker believes the current England team are better than the “Golden Generation”Credit: Getty
Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard were among the highly-rated 2006 squadCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Walker, part of Gareth Southgate’s team when they reached the last four of the 2018 World Cup and last summer’s Euros final, says England’s players are embracing increased expectations.
The defender, 32, who fought back from groin surgery to make Southgate’s squad, says confidence is surging ahead of Friday’s clash with USA.
Walker said: “We’ve earned the right to have more expectation and that’s not a bad thing. When you have expectations it means you are a good team.”
The Three Lions thumped Iran 6-2 in Monday’s Group B opener.
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Walker added: “There’s a very fine line between confidence and arrogance.
“We have to be confident and we need to take a little bit of arrogance into the game.
“You go out there with your chest out and your head held high and you walk out there thinking ‘we’re going to win today’.
“If you are doubting yourself you are losing the game already.

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“So expectation is good. But we need to be calm, we need to be together.
“Through 90 minutes it’s never going to go swimmingly well. There are going to be periods when you are going to have to weather the storm and you have to do that collectively as a team.”
Bullish Walker also believes the current crop of youngsters are more talented than the previous “Golden Generation” who failed to live up to their potential in international football during.
He said: “You see the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Declan Rice. These players are not as what we’ve seen growing up from the England team, where it’s all about ‘you wear your heart on your sleeve and you go out and your hard work gets you through’.
“That’s no disrespect to any of the players – Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole, David Beckham – these players had an array of talent but probably not as much talent as these have got.
“It’s a joy that the English game is actually developing in that way.”
There were fears for skipper Kane’s fitness after he was sent for a hospital scan as a precaution after suffering a knock on his ankle in England’s 6-2 win over Iran.
Asked about Kane, keeper Jordan Pickford said: “He’s good. He will probably be a little bit sore but I think he’s fine. He’s out on the grass with us today and that’s good. He’s our captain and he’s fine.
“Harry is an unbelievable player, he sets the example in the squad, he’s a leader, he’s the captain and we all look up to him.”
But Pickford admitted that James Maddison, who turned 26 on Wednesday, has yet to return to training.
This not only rules him out of Friday’s United States game but means he looks also set to be unavailable for the final group match against Wales on Monday.
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The Leicester midfielder, a shock call-up to the squad, has managed just one training session with England since hurting his knee against West Ham.
There was also good news on Harry Maguire who took part in a full session after feeling unwell against Iran. More