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      England are going to Qatar to win the World Cup 2022 and we’re NOT afraid to admit it, roars captain Harry Kane

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      HARRY KANE last night roared: We’re not afraid to say we can win the World Cup.The Three Lions fly to Qatar as one of the tournament favourites after reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and the Euro 2020 final.
      Tottenham superstar Harry Kane is set to lead England in the 2022 World CupCredit: Reuters
      But skipper Kane feels England can go one step further after claiming: “We have to believe we can win it.
      “I look back at England 10 or 15 years ago and it was almost like we were scared to say we wanted to win it.
      “One of the big shifts we have made over the last four or five years with Gareth [Southgate] is not being afraid to say ‘we are going to this tournament to win it’ because we believe we can.
      “It’d be wrong to think otherwise. What’s the point of going to a World Cup and believing you can bring the trophy home?
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      “It is going to be tough and we are going to have to work extremely hard and have a bit of luck and have things go our way but it is important not to be afraid to say that is what we are going there to do.”
      Kane will lead the Three Lions out for their first game against Iran on November 21 after a winless run of six games in the build up to the tournament.
      But the Tottenham forward believes their poor run of form has eased pressure on Southgate’s squad.
      He added: “It has not been a great period for England for a long time, probably since Gareth took charge we have not had a spell like we have had.
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      “In a way before a major tournament that can be a good thing because it allows you to not get carried away.
      “If we won every game in the lead up to this tournament it would have been ‘we are guaranteed to win it’ and that comes with a different pressure.
      “Being judged on major tournaments is the main thing and the last two we have had have been good and we have a great confidence in ourselves we can go and have a good tournament in Qatar.”
      Spurs team-mate Eric Dier heads to his second World Cup despite thinking his England career was over.
      England captain Harry Kane believes the Three Lions can win the 2022 World CupCredit: Reuters
      Dier, 28, made six appearances for Southgate during the 2018 World Cup in Russia but was then omitted from the Euro 2020 squad.
      The Tottenham defender thought he would never play international football again until he was recalled for two Nations Leagues ties against Italy and Germany in September.
      Dier, who has 47 England caps, said: “I’m extremely proud to play at my second World Cup.
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      “There was a time when I thought I wasn’t going to be in anyway involved with England anymore. I have had to work very hard, fight a lot to get back in.
      “I can’t wait. It is going to be an incredible experience. I’m really looking forward to being a part of it.” More

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      Wales believe Gareth Bale will NOT retire from international duty after World Cup as they plan to have him for Euro 2024

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      WALES do not expect the World Cup to be a last hurrah for Gareth Bale.Dragons captain and record goal scorer Bale, 33, will play in the first global finals of his career against USA, Iran and England.
      Gareth Bale is not expected to retire from international duty after the World Cup in Qatar.Credit: Getty
      And Wales boss Robert Page is planning for the Los Angeles FC star to still be in his squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers next year.
      When asked if 108-cap and 40-goal Bale will retire after Qatar, Page said: “He will carry on. I expect him to be there. I do.
      “I will tell you why, irrespective of what is going on in his career, he is always there for Wales. Whether he is playing or not at club level he just loves playing for Wales.
      “If we have two games back-to-back, I’ll say to him, ‘You’re not starting the second game, I’ll see how it goes and might need you late on’.
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      But he will be the one going to me on the bench, ‘Get me on. I want minutes. I can affect the game.’ I am having to pull the reins on him. He just loves playing for Wales, especially in Cardiff.”
      After moving Stateside after leaving Real Madrid in the summer, Bale stated the LA move could help him reach Euro 2024.
      Bale started his World Cup preparations in the Welsh capital last week before the ex-Spurs ace was joined by his team-mates at their Vale of Glamorgan HQ yesterday.
      Page’s squad fly to Doha on Tuesday but Bale met legends Cliff Jones and Terry Medwin – survivors from the nation’s last finals appearance in 1958 – before the trip to the Middle East.
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      Bale told Jones and Medwin in footage released by the Football Association of Wales on Sunday morning: “I’ve been doing extra training because I had a free week.
      “I wanted to come back earlier so I can adjust and do some training. If you go a week without training then you start to feel it when you join the others.
      “At least I have been training in warm weather in LA so I’ll be used to it in Qatar. It should be good. I’m feeling good. I just want to qualify out of the group. That’s all I care about.
      “We have a good chance of getting through. We will give it everything.”  More

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      Alejandro Garnacho gives Erik ten Hag one less problem to solve during World Cup but Man Utd boss still has plenty to do

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      ERIK TEN HAG will spend the World Cup break thanking his lucky stars that Alejandro Garnacho was not included in the Argentina squad.The teenager was left out by Lionel Scaloni despite putting himself into contention for a call-up this month.
      Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score a dramatic winnerCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils were guilty of missing a number of glorious chancesCredit: Reuters
      A last-gasp winner at Fulham after he came off the bench means Garnacho now has two goals and two assists in his last four games.
      And while it’s too late for a World Cup berth, Ten Hag can now look forward to six weeks working with the youngster.
      Because Garnacho simply has to start for the Red Devils going forward.
      The teenager came off the bench to show his killer instinct and do what his fellow team-mates couldn’t.
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      United squandered chance after chance at Craven Cottage, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay all guilty of wasting glorious opportunities.
      While Fulham have been superb under Marco Silva this season, and should have got a point today, United would likely have been made to pay if they had been facing a Big Six opponent.
      Poor finishing is something Ten Hag needs to address, and fortunately for him he’s got six weeks of training to work on it.
      Especially after wasted opportunities has felt like a running theme for Ten Hag so far this campaign.
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      So, despite Garnacho’s exploits, the gaffer will be keen to bolster his forward ranks in January.
      Add in the uncertainty regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future and Martial’s proneness to injury, the need for reinforcements up top is clear.
      The World Cup is the perfect opportunity for Ten Hag to go window shopping.
      But, despite their erratic finishing, Ten Hag’s side still find themselves three points off the top four going into the break, with a game in hand.
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      United return with games against three out of the bottom seven in Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth, followed by daunting clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal.
      By then Garnacho could be an even scarier prospect, but in a perfect world Ten Hag will also have some extra firepower to line up alongside the Argentinian prodigy. More

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      Erling Haaland to MISS Man City’s warm-weather training in Abu Dhabi and take three-week holiday during World Cup 2022

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      ERLING HAALAND will not take part in a warm-weather training camp with the rest of the Manchester City squad. The club have arranged for all those not going to the World Cup to head to Abu Dhabi to maintain fitness levels.
      Erling Haaland will not go to Man City’s training camp during the World Cup despite not being in the tournamentCredit: Getty
      However the 23-year-old will not be joining up with his team-mates after being called-up by Norway for friendly matches against Ireland and Finland, report the Daily Mail.
      Haaland will then be given three weeks off to rest with manager Pep Guardiola reportedly encouraging his players to go on holiday.
      The manager himself is set to spend some time away from Manchester visiting family in Barcelona.
      But he is then expected to head to the warm-weather camp with a few senior players and youngsters not going to Qatar, such as Riyad Mahrez.
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      While at the training centre abroad Guardiola is set to meet with owner Sheikh Mansour alongside chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak to discuss his future at the club.
      The Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of this season but he remains relaxed about what’s next.
      He recently said: “Everything is under control, it’s perfect, the decision will be made together with the club the moment it has to be made.”
      Guardiola also hinted at not planning for after the World Cup because players could come back tired or injured.
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      But he won’t have to worry about that with Haaland as Norway did not qualify, therefore he should be fresh to continue his run of scoring that has seen him net 23 goals this season.
      He looks set to play a key role after the World Cup hiatus as City look to chase down league leaders Arsenal.
      After the Premier League champions lost to Brentford and Arsenal beat Wolves it extended the Gunners’ lead to five points at the top of the table. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo OUT of Man Utd clash with Fulham through ‘illness’ before superstar heads to World Cup with Portugal

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is NOT in Manchester United’s matchday squad to take on Fulham.The 37-year-old striker appears to be absent once again through illness.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is not in the Manchester United squad to take on FulhamCredit: Alamy
      He also missed the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa during the week.
      And now Ronaldo will not be involved in United’s last game before the World Cup.
      He is due to jet off to Qatar and captain his Portugal side in the tournament.
      Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag had previously suggested Ronaldo would be ready for today’s game.

      But it seems as though CR7 has not been able to recover in time.
      Ten Hag had insisted he would not accept the World Cup as an excuse for any slip-ups this weekend.
      When asked on Friday if Ronaldo would be ready to face Fulham, Ten Hag said: “I can’t guarantee that now and he was ill for the Aston Villa game. He can recover from that. It’s not a serious illness that takes days or weeks.
      “I think it is possible that he is available for Sunday and that he will be in the squad.
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      “I think the players are all aware of the importance of the game against Fulham and I will not take the World Cup into consideration.
      “We play the best team and until Sunday it is the interest of Manchester United and just for Manchester United.”
      Anthony Martial leads the line in the absence of Ronaldo.
      Teenage star Alejandro Garnacho is also only named on the bench, despite his electric form as of late, with Anthony Elanga starting on the wing.
      Other changes from the last league game include Tyrell Malacia in for the suspended Diogo Dalot, and Bruno Fernandes in for Donny van de Beek.
      Elsewhere, Victor Lindelof is preferred to Harry Maguire in defence.
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      Ten Hag’s side host Marco Silva’s Fulham looking to go within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham going into the break.
      The Whites meanwhile can go above West London rivals Chelsea and up into eighth place with a victory. More

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      K-pop star Jungkook set to play World Cup 2022 opening ceremony alongside Robbie Williams and Co in Qatar

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      ROBBIE WILLIAMS and K-pop star Jungkook will perform at the opening ceremony of the World Cup.The former Take That member will take to the stage to begin the tournament in Qatar just as he did four years ago in Russia.
      Robbie Williams performed at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia in 2018Credit: Reuters
      Jungkook is the front man of pop group BTSCredit: Getty
      Williams, 48, has been slammed by critics for choosing to perform on November 20 as he is seen as a huge supporter of the LGBT community.
      Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and gay people face fines or up to seven years in jail.
      Fans have hit out at Williams saying he will have scored a “huge own goal” if he sings at the opening ceremony.
      Also part of the performances at the Al Bayt Stadium is lead singer of Korean pop group BTS – Jungkook.
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      BTS are worldwide sensations famous for songs such as Butter and Dynamite.
      A star-studded line-up could be completed by the likes of Shakira, Dua Lipa, J Balvin and the Black Eyed Peas who have all been rumoured to be part of the event.
      Shakira has been tipped to be involved this year after her 2010 World Cup song Waka Waka went down as a classic.
      Fans will also be treated to a performance of song Light the Sky from the World Cup’s official soundtrack.
      The track features Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal – some of the most popular musicians in the Middle East.
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      All the action will take place before the first match of the World Cup that sees host nation Qatar face Ecuador.
      Some 60,000 supporters will pack into the stadium in Doha as Qatar make their debut at the finals.
      England are involved in the second match of the tournament versus Iran the day after. More

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      Fulham boss calls for players to fill the void left by Mitrovic against Man Utd as star sweats on World Cup 2022 dream

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      MARCO SILVA has called on his Fulham players to stand up and show they can fill the void left by Aleksandar Mitrovic.Mitrovic will be missing from Sunday’s clash with the foot injury that threatens the Serbia striker’s World Cup hopes.
      Mitrovic will miss United’s visit with a foot injuryCredit: Getty
      Fulham boss Silva has declared he will ‘find solutions’ in attackCredit: Alamy
      And with Neeskens Kebano and Manor Solomon also sidelined, Silva’s forward choices are further limited.
      The Cottagers suffered heartbreak at Manchester City last week, losing 2-1 to a late Erling Haaland penalty despite playing with a man advantage for over an hour.
      And Silva believes having more available attacking options would put his team in a far stronger position to compete against the Premier League’s big boys.
      He said: “Last week we had some issues as well to fix in our squad.
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      “As you know, I had just one offensive player on the bench. Probably, with different solutions, the game could be completely different in the second half.
      “But I’m here to find solutions and I will do the same for Sunday’s match.
      “It’s not just Mitrovic. Unfortunately for us, there are many.
      “I’m not hiding that Mitrovic is a key player for me and for this football club. Probably some of you had these doubts last season and at the beginning of the season, but I didn’t have them.
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      “Mitrovic, in 58 games he has scored 50 goals under me. It’s an unbelievable number. Of course, if I don’t have this player, we are different, definitely.
      “But it’s a moment for others to pop up.”
      Fulham have defied expectations so far this campaign, winning 19 points from 14 games after being promoted from the Championship last season, and could go just a point behind Manchester United by beating them on Sunday.
      Like all Premier League teams, Fulham will not return to action until December due to the World Cup break and Silva questioned the decision to hold the tournament in the middle of the season.
      He said: “I think no one listened to the opinions of the players to decide that this competition would be in the middle (of the season).
      “The situation when they decided if it would be in Qatar or a different country, or in the middle of the season for the first time or the end of the season, I think they don’t listen to the players.
      “They decide and that’s it, the players have to prepare as best they can.” More

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      Gareth Southgate to let players see their WAGS for World Cup downtime if Covid permits

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      ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate wants players to see their partners for World Cup downtime but Covid may intervene.Southgate, 52, said: “We would like it to happen, we think it is a significant part of a team feeling relaxed and comfortable.
      England boss Gareth Southgate wants players to see their partners, such as Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood, during downtime at the World CupCredit: Instagram
      Model Sasha Attwood, girlfriend of Man City’s Grealish, is among those expected to fly out for the tournamentCredit: Instagram
      Southgate said he thought it would make the team ‘relaxed and comfortable’Credit: PA
      “But at the moment none of us know what the transmission rate is likely to be out there.”
      On Friday, there were 307 new Covid cases in Qatar.
      Southgate added: “We need to monitor it quite closely.”
      Some of the players’ wives and girlfriends will be on the £1billion cruise ship MSC World Europa. 
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      Model Sasha Attwood, 26, girlfriend of Man City ace Jack Grealish, 27, is among those expected to fly out for the tournament, starting next Sunday.
      Southgate also revealed he has some special motivational plans up his sleeve – but was keeping it a secret for now.
      Actor Michael Sheen delivered a rousing pre-World Cup speech to the Welsh team, who will face England in the group stages.
      It was light-heartedly put to Southgate that perhaps he would bring in Brian Blessed to do likewise.
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      Yet the England chief was giving nothing away, and joked: “Maybe we can go one better than Wales.”
      When Southgate was pressed to reveal details, he added: “No, we can’t. But we want them to do all the things that going to a World Cup involves the suits, the photos.
      “But thankfully there’s been no record, or song! We just want them to be excited about going.”
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