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      Is Arsenal playing while the 2022 World Cup is on? Mid-season fixtures and kick-off times

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      ARSENAL fans will be distraught that the season has been paused due to the World Cup – but they’ll still get to see parts of their side in action.The Gunners are scheduled to travel to Dubai to as part of their preparations for the Premier League return on Boxing Day.
      Arsenal concluded the first part of their Premier League season with a win over WolvesCredit: PA
      And the North London club could encounter some familiar faces in the Dubai Super Cup.
      SunSport have all the required information below…
      When is the Dubai Super Cup?
      The Dubai Super Cup is set to take place from Thursday, December 8 to Tuesday, December 13.
      It is scheduled to happen at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
      Read more on Arsenal
      Al Maktoum Stadium is the home ground of Al Nasr SC which has a capacity of 15,000.
      There will be a league format with each win carrying three points, however, a draw earns you two points.
      And there will be a penalty shoot-out at the end of each game regardless of the score where the winner will receive a bonus point.
      Whoever has the most points at the end of the tournament will be crowned Dubai Super Cup champions.
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      Who will Arsenal be playing at the Dubai Super Cup?
      Arsenal will be playing two fixtures against two top European opposition.
      Thursday December 8
      Arsenal vs Lyon – 3:30pm GMT
      Tuesday December 13
      Arsenal vs AC Milan – 2pm GMT
      Liverpool are the fourth side who will feature in the Dubai Super Cup but they cannot play Arsenal due to both sides Premier League involvement.
      What has Mikel Arteta said about the Dubai Super Cup?
      “We’re looking forward to spending time together on the training pitch in a warmer climate.
      “It’ll be a nice change of environment and a great opportunity for us to work hard and prepare for the second half of the season.
      “Dubai is a fantastic place and the football facilities there are first-class.
      “The Dubai Super Cup also gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against two strong sides in Lyon and AC Milan – it’ll be a great experience for the squad.” More

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      Dream Team World Cup player prices finalised and squads complete – check your XI now!

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      IT’S crunch time, gaffers!Dream Team World Cup player prices have been finalised and the squads have been bulked out to include every individual destined for Qatar – you’re spoiled for choice.
      With the provisional phase of the game is now finished, all managers should review their teams to ensure all of them fall within the £50million total limit.
      Please be aware that any teams with a total value in excess of £50m will NOT be eligible to score points – needless to say that would be bitterly disappointing.

      TIME IS RUNNING OUT! CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT

      Pick your Dream Team World Cup XI now!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      To confirm, where before players were assigned provisional price ranges, every asset has now been given an exact price.
      If your XI comes in over the £50m limit then you’ll need to replace a player or two with cheaper alternatives – don’t worry, you can make as many changes as required before the tournament gets underway without eating into your allocation of 30 transfers.
      Some of you may find you’ve got some extra budget to invest in improvements now prices have been specified and locked in – happy days!
      You should also be wary of players who were initially included in Dream Team World Cup but will not take part in the tournament.
      For example, Presnel Kimpembe was among the top 20 most-popular defenders at one point but the PSG centre-back has withdrawn from France’s squad with an injury.
      France will be without Kimpembe this winter
      You are now free to choose from all 832 players eligible to take part at the 2022 World Cup so if you really want to select the likes of James Maddison, Dani Alves or Qatar’s third-choice left-back then fill your boots.
      Although we would always advise backing players who are likely starters for their respective nations – you’ll get more points that way.
      If you didn’t want to select a team during the provisional phase because you were waiting for exact prices then consider this your green light.
      The World Cup kicks off with Qatar v Ecuador this Sunday – as Fergie would say: it’s squeaky bum time!
      Every Qatar-bound player is now available for selection in Dream Team World Cup
      THE TOP 10 MOST POPULAR PLAYERS IN DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP:

      Kylian Mbappe – 38.8% ownership
      Kevin De Bruyne – 37.3%
      Kieran Trippier – 37.1%
      Harry Kane – 34.8%
      Vinicius Junior – 32.8%
      Lionel Messi – 32.1%
      Neymar – 24.6%
      Phil Foden – 22.7%
      Emiliano Martinez – 20.4%
      Jude Bellingham – 19.7%

      TIME IS RUNNING OUT! CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT

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      Premier League sides with most players at World Cup revealed… but how is YOUR club affected by Qatar 2022?

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      ENGLISH football has been confirmed as the World Cup’s most-represented domestic set-up.Fifa have confirmed the full squad lists for the tournament, with every nation except Iran taking up their full allocation of 26 players.

      And 160 of the 831 players selected across the 32 teams – around 19 per cent – ply their trade in England or Wales.
      Prem sides are set to be decimated over the next six weeks.
      Manchester City have the most players heading to Qatar – with 16 of their stars having been selected.
      In fact, of their starting XI that took on Brentford on Saturday, only Erling Haaland will NOT be at the tournament.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Of City’s 16, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips are in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
      The next most represented Prem side is Manchester United – with 14 Red Devils heading to the Middle East.
      They include wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo, following his explosive interview with The Sun’s Piers Morgan – as well as his Portugal team-mates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.
      While Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are in the Three Lions set-up.
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      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
      Chelsea are next up with 12, although it would have been even more had Ben Chilwell, Reece James and N’golo Kante been fit.
      Chilwell and James would have joined club mates Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher in the England set-up.
      Tottenham have 11 stars at the tournament, including captains of England and South Korea respectively Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – as well as France skipper Hugo Lloris – victorious last time out in 2018.
      Kane will be joined in the Three Lions squad by Eric Dier – while Richarlison and Cristian Romero will fancy their chances with Brazil and Argentina respectively.
      Arsenal have ten players going to Qatar, including England trio Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Ben White.
      Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will team up with club rival Richarlison for Brazil – while William Saliba will have a good shot at glory with France.
      Surprisingly Brighton are next with eight call-ups – including impressive Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma.
      Leandro Trossard will be in action for Belgium, while Alexis Mac Allister is in the Argentina squad alongside Lionel Messi and Co.
      Prem players picked for World Cup
      Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil), Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, Ben White (England), William Saliba (France), Thomas Partey (Ghana), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), Matt Turner (USA)
      Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Leander Dendoncker (Belgium), Jan Bednarek, Matty Cash (Poland)
      Bournemouth: Chris Mepham, Kieffer Moore (Wales)
      Brentford: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Christian Norgaard (Denmark), Saman Ghoddos (Iran), David Raya (Spain)
      Brighton: Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Moises Caicedo, Pervis Estupinan, Jeremy Sarmiento (Ecuador), Tariq Lamptey (Ghana), Kaoru Mitoma (Japan), Robert Sanchez (Spain)
      Chelsea: Thiago Silva (Brazil), Mateo Kovacic (Croatia), Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher (England), Kai Havertz (Germany), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco), Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain), Denis Zakaria (Switzerland), Christian Pulisic (USA)
      Crystal Palace: Joachim Andersen (Denmark), Jordan Ayew (Ghana)
      Everton: Amadou Onana (Belgium), Jordan Pickford, Conor Coady (England), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
      Fulham: Joao Palhinha (Portugal), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Serbia), Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream (USA), Harry Wilson, Dan James (Wales)
      Leicester: Youri Tielemans, Timothy Castagne, Wout Faes (Belgium), James Maddison (England), Daniel Amartey (Ghana), Nampalys Mendy (Senegal), Danny Ward (Wales)
      Leeds: Rasmus Kristensen (Denmark), Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams (USA)
      Liverpool: Alisson, Fabinho (Brazil), Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold (England), Ibrahima Konate (France), Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands), Darwin Nunez (Uruguay)
      Man City: Julian Alvarez (Argentina), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Ederson (Brazil), Kyle Walker, John Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips (England), Ilkay Gundogan (Germany), Nathan Ake (Netherlands), Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva (Portugal), Rodri, Aymeric Laporte (Spain), Manuel Akanji (Switzerland)
      Man United: Lisandro Martinez (Argentina), Casemiro, Fred, Antony (Brazil), Christian Eriksen (Denmark), Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford (England), Raphael Varane (France), Tyrell Malacia (Netherlands), Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot (Portugal), Facundo Pellistri (Uruguay)
      Newcastle: Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil), Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson (England), Fabian Schar (Switzerland)
      Nottingam Forest: Brandon Aguilera (Costa Rica), Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Remo Freuler (Switzerland), Wayne Hennessey, Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson (Wales)
      Southampton: Armel Bella-Kotchap (Germany), Mohammed Salisu (Ghana)
      Tottenham: Cristian Romero (Argentina), Richarlison (Brazil), Ivan Perisic (Croatia), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Denmark), Harry Kane, Eric Dier (England), Hugo Lloris (France), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal), Son Heung-min (South Korea), Rodrigo Bentancur (Uruguay), Ben Davies (Wales)
      West Ham: Lucas Paqueta (Brazil), Declan Rice (England), Alphonse Areola (France), Thilo Kehrer (Germany), Nayef Aguerd (Morocco)
      Wolves: Raul Jimenez (Mexico), Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes, Jose Sa (Portugal), Hwang Hee-chan (South Korea)

      Liverpool have seven call ups including England stars Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold – while Darwin Nunez will be an intriguing proposition for Uruguay.
      Leicester also have seven – headlined by England’s James Maddison but also including Wales’ Danny Ward and Belgium trio Youri Tielemans, Wout Faes and Timothy Castagne.
      Fulham will be represented by six players in Qatar: Welsh duo Dan James and Harry Wilson, USA double act Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson – as well as Portugal’s Joao Palhinha and Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.
      Brentford also have six call-ups, with half of them playing for Denmark in the shape of fit again Christian Norgaard, Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen.
      Saman Ghoddos will play for Iran, Bryan Mbeumo for Cameroon and David Raya for Spain.
      Nottingham Forest possess Wales trio Wayne Hennessey, Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams – as well as Swiss ace Remo Freuler, Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate and teenager Brandon Aguilera of Costa Rica.
      Newcastle have England trio Nick Pope, Kieran Tripper and Callum Wilson, as well as Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes and Switzerland’s Fabian Schar.
      While West Ham have Declan Rice representing England, Alphonse Areola in the France squad, Lucas Paqueta with Brazil, Nayef Aguerd of Morocco and Thilo Kehrer of Germany.

      Wolves unsurprisingly have a contingent in the Portugal squad – with Jose Sa, Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves being called up – while Hwang Hee-chan will play for South Korea and Raul Jimenez has been deemed fit enough to play for Mexico.
      Half of Aston Villa’s four call-ups are in the Poland squad in the shape of Matty Cash and Jan Bednarek, while Leander Dendoncker is with Belgium and Emi Martinez with Argentina.
      Everton have England duo Jordan Pickford and Conor Coady, along with Belgium’s Amadou Onana and Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye.
      While Leeds have USA double act Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson – along with Denmark’s Rasmus Kristensen.
      Welsh pair Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore are Bournemouth’s only World Cup-bound players – while Crystal Palace will be represented by Denmark’s Joachim Andersen and Ghana’s Jordan Ayew.
      Rounding off the Prem list is Southampton, who have Germany starlet Armel Bella-Kotchap and Ghana’s Mohammed Salisu.
      After the Premier League, the next most represented league system is that of Spain, with 85 players selected for the World Cup, followed by Germany on 81, Italy with 73 and France boasting 59.
      In total, 43 national leagues have an interest in the tournament.
      Iran, who only selected 25 players, chose their squad from a tournament-high of clubs in 14 countries, while both Saudi Arabia and hosts Qatar have chosen entirely from their home league.
      Read More on The Sun
      Jude Bellingham is the only non-Premier League player in England’s squad.
      By contrast, the Three Lions’ potential last 16 opponents Senegal have players in England, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Cyprus and Turkey – but none in the African country itself. More

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      Iran’s greatest player refuses to attend England World Cup clash as boss Carlos insists players DO have right to protest

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      IRANIAN legend Ali Daei will boycott the World Cup – as coach Carlos Queiroz insisted his players DO have the right to protest.But former Manchester United No 2 Queiroz did lose his temper when asked about Iran’s treatment of women.
      Iran legend Ali Daei is boycotting the World Cup in solidarity with anti-government protestorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Carlos Queiroz insists Iran’s players can protest the World Cup if they wantCredit: Reuters
      Iran, England’s opening World Cup opponents in the Khalifa International Stadium next Monday at 1pm UK time, arrived in Doha 24 hours before Gareth Southgate’s men.
      They walked into a desert storm, though, as ex-striker Daei, 53, who scored 109 international goals for “Team Melli”, revealed he had rejected a Fifa invitation to come to the tournament as a show of his support for anti-government protestors.
      In an Instagram post, accompanied by a picture of a woman discarding her headscarf, Daei said: “I rejected the official invitation of FIFA and Qatar Football Federation to attend the World Cup with my wife and daughters.
      “I prefer to be next to you in my homeland and express my sympathy with all the families who lost loved ones over these days.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Daei’s statement upped the pressure on Queiroz, who was with his team when they were given an official farewell by state President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday.
      Asked about his players’ right to protest, the Portuguese told a news conference in the Qatari capital: “The players are free to protest as they would if they were from any other country as long as it conforms with the World Cup regulations and is in the spirit of the game.
      “But you can also express yourself on the field in the game of football and the players have only one thing on their mind and that is to fight to qualify for the second round.”
      Queiroz, though, appeared shaken when further quizzed over whether he was “proud” to coach a country which represses women.
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      He responded by demanding of his inquisitor: “How much will you pay me to answer that question?”
      Iran will play a final behind closed doors warm-up game with Tunisia tomorrow but Queiroz insisted his sole focus was a historic first knock-out stage qualification.
      He added: “My players don’t only want to be part of history – they also want to make history.
      “If we bring joy and pleasure to the people then we have done our job as footballers and that’s the most important issue for me as national team coach.”  More

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      Harry Kane leads England stars as Three Lions land in Qatar bidding to win World Cup for first time in 56 years

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      SKIPPER Harry Kane led England stars off the plane as the Three Lions arrived in Qatar this afternoon.Gareth Southgate’s men have touched down in the Middle East tasked with ending 56 years of hurt – having come so close to winning Euro 2020 last year.
      Harry Kane was first off the plane in DohaCredit: Reuters
      England stars follow their skipper down the stepsCredit: Reuters
      England stars get their first look at QatarCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate and Co board a shuttle bus at the airportCredit: Reuters
      Some England stars were in Premier League action as recently as Sunday, before linking up at the national training base at St George’s Park yesterday.
      They were paid a visit by Prince William during their brief stay – as Wills wished the squad luck ahead of their flight to Qatar this morning.
      Earlier today Southgate and Co were given an incredible send-off as they departed St George’s Park.
      The England manager was greeted by a sea of screaming kids waving flags and cheering him on.
      Read More England Stories
      Many reached out to Southgate and he began high-fiving the children, leaving them ecstatic by doing so.
      With the crowd stretched out so far he had to wave to the others before boarding the coach to the airport.
      Their flight, scheduled for 10am, eventually departed Birmingham Airport at 10:41 this morning – landing at 4:57pm UK time.
      England flew out to Qatar aboard “Rain Bow”, a Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus that promotes Gay Pride.
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      It features a motif of Oscar — the airline’s LGBTQ+ Union Jack-trailing flying icon — beneath the cabin.
      The gesture was proposed by FA chiefs keen to register concern about gay rights in the strict Muslim state where homosexuality can still carry the death penalty.
      England are set to get their tournament underway against Iran next Monday.
      They will then face the USA on Friday, 25 November – before completing Group B with a home nations clash against Wales on Tuesday, 29 November.
      England are staying at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel in Qatar, with the Three Lions having booked all 101 rooms.
      Three Lions Wags are set to stay on a cruise ship, with Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood among those booked on “HMS Wag”.
      Declan Rice and Jack Grealish are excited to get the tournament underway
      Man City club mate John Stones And Kyle Walker appeared to enjoy their flight
      Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford shared a snap from the plane More

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      England fans must cough up nearly £12 for LESS than a pint in Qatar as World Cup 2022 booze prices shock supporters

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      ENGLAND World Cup fans must cough up nearly £12 for LESS than a pint as pre-tournament promises proved a Doha desert mirage.Qatar 2022 organisers had indicated that the country’s strict drink laws and sky-high prices would be relaxed for fans coming from across the world.
      England fans risk being priced out of beer in QatarCredit: Louis Wood
      While hotel bars were expected to be expensive, suggested prices for beer in the fan zones and at stadiums had been in the range of £7-£8 per pint.
      But now official beer suppliers Budweiser – the only company allowed to sell alcohol in any official site at the World Cup – have unveiled the shock booze news.
      In an advertising flyer posted by the American brewing giant, the price list makes clever that hopes of normal-priced beer for travelling fans have disappeared.
      Urging fans to “Drink Wiser, Cheer Better, Hydrate Between Buds”, a half-litre of Budweiser – equal to seven eighths of a pint – will cost 50 Qatari Rials, or £11.61 at today’s exchange rate.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Those who want the alcohol-free version of the beer will have to splash out £6.91, with water at £2.30.
      World Cup chiefs have wrestled with the demands from Fifa for drink to be available for fans with the customs of the Gulf State and the desire for supporters to stay under control and not booze to excess.
      Budweiser stated that fans will be limited to a “maximum purchase of four Budweiser units per person.”
      This is to prevent binge-buying and anyone must prove they are over 21 to be able to buy alcohol.
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      There has been signals that there might have been communication with both Fifa and the Qatari government before the final pricing policy was reached.
      The company added: “Budweiser is proud to be served in compliance with the local rules and regulations by Fifa’s appointed concessionaire.” More

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      ‘I don’t think I’ll play much more’ – Lionel Messi, 35, stokes retirement fears as Argentina ace prepares for World Cup

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      LIONEL MESSI has fuelled speculation he is nearing the end of his career by claiming he is “not going to play much more”.The Argentine, 35, is currently preparing to try and win the World Cup for the first time in his career.
      Messi has hinted he could be in the final stages of his careerCredit: Getty
      The South Americans are one of the favourites heading into the tournament in Qatar.
      And Messi is in fine form so far this season, contributing 12 goals and 14 assists in 19 games for Paris Saint-Germain.
      Yet despite his impressive performances, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner insists he is nearing the end of his career.
      As reported by AS, he said: “I love playing it [football] and I enjoy it, the only thing I’ve done all my life is play football and I’m sure it’s related, although I don’t know what. I don’t think I’m going to play much more.”
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Messi already stated last month that the Qatar tournament will be his fifth and final World Cup.
      He said: “This will be my last World Cup — for sure. The decision has been made.”
      Messi has been heavily linked with a move to David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami at the end of the season when his PSG contract expires.
      There has also been speculation about a return to Barcelona.
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      But at the moment his focus is solely on trying to win the World Cup with Argentina.
      And Messi has highlighted the three teams he feels pose the biggest threat to his country in this year’s competition.
      “They are always the same,” he said. “There are some surprises but in general the big ones are the candidates.
      “Brazil, France, England today are a little above the others, but in a World Cup anything can happen.” More

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      Pick up your FREE World Cup wallchart and 32-page World Cup guide with The Sun and The Sun on Sunday this weekend

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      THIS weekend pick up your FREE World Cup wallchart and 32-page World Cup guide to Qatar with The Sun and The Sun on Sunday.World Cup fever is beginning to grip the nation ahead of the big kick off on Sunday afternoon.
      Get your wallchart in The Sun on Saturday
      In The Sun on Sunday is our 32-page pull out World Cup guide
      And then on Monday, Gareth Southgate’s boys get their campaign under way with their opening Group B game against Iran.
      Across the weekend The Sun and The Sun on Sunday will provide all you need to get clued up on the tournament and spark your World Cup fever.
      In Saturday’s copy of The Sun we have a pull-out poster-size wall chart so you can plot England’s path to the final (hopefully).
      Kick-off times and full details for all 64 fixtures are provided so you can map out the tournament as it unfolds.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      And then, in The Sun on Sunday, we have a pull-out World Cup guide with all the details you need.
      Featuring run downs on all 32 teams competing in Qatar from their star men to the managers, it’s as comprehensive as it gets.
      Plus we delve into the five greatest matches of all time, reveal the rising stars who could surprise in the desert plus much much more.
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