World Cup

THE biggest tournament in world football is just around the corner, and SunSport have been taking a look at the countries’ national anthems.Denmark will be hoping to build on a fantastic Euro 2020 campaign which saw them reach the semi-finals, losing 2-1 to England.
Christian Eriksen will be key to Denmark in QatarCredit: Getty
Denmark beat France twice during the Nations LeagueCredit: Reuters
After doing the double over France in the Nations League, fans will be confident that they can go toe to toe with the defending champions in Group D.
Kasper Hjulmand’s first challenge is up against Tunisia in just a few days time.
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What are the lyrics to Denmark’s national anthem?
Der er et yndigt land translates to ‘There is a lovely country’ in English.
The lyrics were written in 1819 by poet Adam Oehlenschläger, and the anthem boasts Denmark’s beautiful nature and rich history.
At the World Cup, only the first verse and last lines of the fourth verse will be sung, with the last line of each repeated once.
But we thought we’d treat you to the lot!
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Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
There’s a beautiful countryIt stands with wide beechesNear the salty eastern beachesNear the salty eastern beachesIt bays in the back and valleyIt’s called Old DenmarkAnd it it Freya’s hall
Verse 2
Who sat in former timesThe armour dressed fightersRested from the fightRested from the fightthen went up to the enemies injuryNow resting their legsBehind the menhir of the hills

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Verse 3
The country that’s still greatbecause blue is the sea that wavesand the foliage is so greenand the foliage is so greenand noble women and beautiful virginsand men and healthy swainsinhabit the islands of the danishinhabit the islands of the danish
Verse 4
Hail king and motherlandHail any Danish citizenwho gives what he canwho gives what he canOur old Denmark will endureas long as the beech-tree mirrorsits treetop in the blue wavesits treetop in the blue waves More

THE World Cup is upon us and all players involved will be linking up with their countries before the ball gets rolling in Qatar.The Socceroos get their campaign underway against holders France, and will be hoping to impress.
The Australian team have touched down in QatarCredit: AP
Australia qualified for the World Cup after beating Peru on penaltiesCredit: Reuters
Australia travel to Doha for their fifth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Although, they haven’t made it out of the group stage in their previous three attempts.
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What are the lyrics to Australia’s national anthem?
To get them into the mood before kick-off, Australia sing ‘Advance Australia Fair’, which replaced ‘God Save the Queen’ in 1974.
The anthem was originally published in 1878 by Scotland-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick.
However, the lyrics were tweaked last year following complaints that they were divisive and failed to recognise the legacy of Indigenous Australians.
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Here’s how it goes:
Verse 1
Australians all let us rejoiceFor we are young and freeWe’ve golden soil and wealth for toilOur home is girt by seaOur land abounds in nature’s giftsOf beauty, rich and rareIn history’s page let every stage
Chorus
Advance Australia fairIn joyful strains then let us singAdvance Australia fair

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Verse 2
Beneath our radiant Southern CrossWe’ll toil with hearts and handsTo make this Commonwealth of oursRenowned of all the landsFor those who’ve across the seasWe’ve boundless plains to shareWith courage let us all combine More

IF you’re familiar with the Word Cup, you’ll know that all teams will have the chance to sing their national anthems ahead of kick-off. And SunSport have been taking a look at what they all mean.Mexico have qualified for the World Cup 17 times in their history, and are hoping to make it past the round of 16 for the first time in over 35 years.
Mexico have qualified for the last eight consecutive World CupsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Mexico head coach, Argentinian Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will be hopint o win the nation’s trust after losing three games in a row to the USACredit: EPA
However it won’t be an easy task, with South American giants Argentina standing in their way as favourites of Group C.
Manager Gerardo Martino gets his campaign underway against Poland, where viewers can hear the Mexican fans belt out the age-old anthem.
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What are the lyrics to Mexico’s national anthem?
The Himno Nacional Mexicano is a cry of war.
It was first written in 1854 by poet Francisco Gonzales Bocanegra, and composed by the Spaniard Jaime Nuno.
Here’s how the anthem, steeped in patriotism, reads in English.
Chorus
Mexicans, at the cry of war,
Assemble the steel and the bridle,
And the earth trembles to it’s core
To the resounding roar of the cannon.
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Verse 1
Encircle Oh Fatherland! Your temples with olives,
Peace by the divine archangel,
For in heaven your eternal destiny
By the finger of God it was written.
If, however, a foreign enemy would dare,
To profane your ground with their sole,
Think, Oh beloved Fatherland!
That heaven has given a soldier in every son.
Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa will be key to keeping out goals for his sideCredit: EPA
Verse 2
War, war! With no mercy to any who shall try to tarnish the coats of arms of the Fatherland!
War, war! The national banners
Shall be drenched in the waves of blood.
War, war! On the mountain, in the valley,
The cannons thunder in horrid unison
And the sonorous echoes resound
With bellows of Union! Liberty! More

WITH the World Cup just around the corner, SunSport have been taking a look all the countries’ national anthems, and next on our list is Iran.England fans will be the first to hear it when when the pair face off in Gareth Southgate’s opening game of the tournament.
Iran have qualified for six World Cups in their history, but have never got past the group stagesCredit: Reuters
Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz, will return for a second spell managing IranCredit: Getty
Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man Carlos Queiroz will lead Iran out for his third World Cup as manager in Qatar.
But his side’s controversial national anthem may evoke a firm response from fans.
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What are the lyrics to Iran’s national anthem?
Iran’s national anthem, named Sorude Melliye Jomhuriye Eslamiye Iran, is the second the country has had since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
With the first one considered too long, famous poet Syed Bagheri collaborated with composer Hassan Riahi to create a shorter version.
Mehdi Taremi is the third top scorer in the Champions League and is expected to be key to any potential Iranian success at the tournamentCredit: Getty
The lyrics reference the Islamic revolution and the hope that the republic will survive forever.
It is thought that this notion could cause protests amongst fans who stand against the current government. Here’s the translation in English.
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Upwards on the horizon rises the Eastern Sun,
The light in the eyes of the believers in truth,
Bahman is the zenith of our faith.

Your message, O Imam, of independence, freedom, is imprinted on our souls.
O Martyrs! Your clamors echo in the ears of time.
Enduring, continuing, and eternal.
The Islamic Republic of Iran!

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IN the lead up to the World Cup, it’s not just football that players will be practicing. They will also be warming up their singing voices for their countries’ national anthems.SunSport have been looking into Ecuador’s ‘Salve, Oh Patria’ ahead of their opening day match-up against hosts Qatar.
Ecuador have qualified for their third ever World Cup, also doing so in 2002, 2006 and 2014Credit: AFP or licensors
Ecuador’s Byron Castillo has been accused of using a fake passport and FIFA are investigating his nationalityCredit: AP
The South American side finished fourth in their qualifying group, booking their place in the tournament amid controversy surrounding a player’s fake passport allegations.
They will be hoping to make their country proud at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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What are the lyrics to Ecuador’s national anthem?
Ecuador’s national anthem was created in the 1800s by poet Juan Leon Mera and musician Antonio Neumane Marno.
After some tweaks to the words, it became the country’s official anthem in 1948.
‘Salve, Oh Patria’ references Ecuador’s uprising against Spain in the early 1800s as well as the subsequent war of independence.
Unlike most other anthems, Ecuador’s opens with the chorus. Here’s how it goes.
Moises Caicedo (left) is expected to be key to any potential Ecuador successCredit: AFP
Chorus
We greet you, Oh Fatherland, a thousand times!
Oh fatherland, glory to you!
Your breast overflows with joy and peace,
Your radiant face is brighter than the shining sun we see
Verse 1
Your children were outraged by the yoke
That Iberian audacity imposed on you,
By the unjust and horrendous disgrace fatally weighing upon you.
They cried out a holy voice to the heavens,
That noble voice of an unbreakable pledge,
To defeat that monster of blood,
That this servile yoke would disappear.
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Verse 2
The first sons of the soil,
Which Pichincha proudly adorns,
Declared you as their sovereign lady forever,
And shed their blood for you.
God observed and accepted the holocaust,
And that blood was the prolific seed,
Of the other heroes whom the world in astonishment,
Saw rise up around you by the thousands More

THIS year’s host nation, Qatar, will compete in the World Cup for the first ever time and we’ve been taking a look at what the team will sing before games.The Middle Eastern country will be joined by the likes of Netherlands and Senegal in Group A.
Players of Qatar line up for the national anthem prior to the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Qatar and United Arab EmiratesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Almoez Ali is expected to be responsible for scoring the goals in QatarCredit: AP
Whilst they are not favourites for the competition, Qatar’s recent win of the 2019 Asian Cup will give the team confidence of progressing to the knockout stages.
Their campaign gets underway against Ecuador in the opening game of the tournament.
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What are the lyrics to Qatar’s national anthem?
The anthem, named as-Salam al-Amiri, translates to ‘Peace to the Amir’ in English, meaning prince.
Here’s what the whole anthem means.
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Verse 1
Swearing by God who erected the sky,
Swearing by God who spread the light,
Qatar will always be free,
Sublimed by the souls of the sinceres,
Proceed thou on the manners of the ascendants,
And advance on Prophet’s guidance
Chorus
In my heart,
Qatar is an epic of glory and dignity,
Qatar is land of the early men,
Who protect us at a time of distress,
Doves they can be at times of peace,
Warriors they are at times of sacrifice
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GIANNI INFANTINO has been in charge of FIFA since 2016, when he took over from Sepp Blatter.The Italian, who was re-elected in 2019, will be the face of Qatar and responsible for making sure the tournament runs smoothly in the Middle East.
Britain Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Gianni Infantino during a working lunch at the G20 SummitCredit: Reuters
The 52-year-old is the ninth president of FIFA, rising to the position 16 years after joining UEFA.
Despite former president Blatter labelling the Qatar World Cup as a mistake, Infantino insists that the tournament will be a success when it all gets underway in a few days time.
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Who is Leena Al Ashqar?
Infantino is married to Leena Al Ashqar, a woman of Lebanese heritage.
The pair are thought to have met in the early 2000s when Leena worked for the Lebanese Football Federation.
Gianni Infantino is congratulated by his wife after winning the FIFA presidential election in 2016Credit: AFP – Getty
The couple share four daughters together, and live in Qatar’s capital Doha, after relocating last year.
Their youngest daughter, Dhalia Nora, became ill at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
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It was reported that she needed to have an emergency operation to treat her appendicitis.
Infantino, who was with his wife at the time, is said to have been very grateful to the hospital in St Petersburg.

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