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      Germany announce World Cup 2022 squad with Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko, 17, earning dream call-up

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      GERMANY have named their 26-man World Cup squad – with uncapped teenage star Youssoufa Moukoko earning his first call-up.The Borussia Dortmund star has been in sensational form this season and has been rewarded by Hansi Flick.
      Uncapped Moussoufa Moukoko has been named in the squadCredit: Getty
      Marco Reus has once again missed out through injuryCredit: Rex

      The 17-year-old has scored six goals in 13 Bundesliga games and will link up with the senior squad for the very first time in Qatar.
      2014 World Cup winning goalscorer Mario Gotze has also made the cut despite not playing for his country since 2017.
      Gotze, who has won 63 caps, has resurrected his career with PSV and Eintracht Frankfurt in the last few seasons and will be on the plane.
      But ex-Dortmund teammate Marco Reus has had no such luck.
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      That’s because the attacker has been left out of the squad due to an ankle injury.
      He did make a couple of appearances recently, but he hasn’t started a game since September and has therefore been overlooked by Flick.
      Meanwhile, Southampton youngster Armel Bella-Kotchap, who recently made his international debut against England, is also in the 26, as is West Ham man Thilo Kehrer.
      Fellow Premier League players Ilkay Gundogan and Kai Havertz are there, but there’s no Timo Werner following a recent ankle injury.
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      Germany 2022 World Cup Squad
      Manuel Neuer is heading to his fourth World CupCredit: Getty
      Goalkeepers
      Manuel Neuer
      Marc-Andre ter Stegen
      Kevin Trapp
      Defenders
      Armel Bella-Kotchap
      Matthias Ginter
      Christian Gunter
      Thilo Kehrer
      Lukas Klostermann
      David Raum
      Antonio Rudiger
      Nico Schlotterbeck
      Niklas Sule
      Mario Gotze will be on the plane to Qatar despite his last cap coming in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has been named in the squadCredit: Getty
      Midfielders
      Julian Brandt
      Niclas Fullkrug
      Leon Goretzka
      Mario Gotze
      Ilkay Gundogan
      Jonas Hofmann
      Joshua Kimmich
      Forwards
      Karim Adeyemi
      Serge Gnabry
      Kai Havertz
      Youssoufa Moukoko
      Thomas Muller
      Jamal Musiala
      Leroy Sane More

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      ‘This is a shame… a joke!’ – Arsenal ace Martinelli’s inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup 2022 squad leaves Neto fuming

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      GABRIEL MARTINELLI’S inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad has been slammed as a “joke” that shows a “lack of respect” for football.Former Selecao star turned pundit Neto has blasted manager Tite for picking the Arsenal ace over Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa.
      Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has earned three caps for the SelecaoCredit: AFP
      Neto starred for Brazil between 1988 and 1993Credit: Getty
      Tite, 61, also snubbed Liverpool star Roberto Firmino from his 26-man group.
      Neymar, Richarlison, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Antony and Pedro will make up Brazil’s formidable forward line in Qatar.
      But speaking on Os Donos da Bola, Neto revealed his disgust at Tite’s decision making.
      He said: “This is a shame, a joke! I feel ashamed! Not because of Dani Alves’ story. What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals.
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      “This is a shame, a lack of respect for football.
      “Doing this with football shows that you don’t deserve the position you are in.
      “Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the call-ups.”
      Neto, who won 16 caps for the Selecao between 1988 and 1993, then scathingly added that the Arsenal star is unknown in Brazil.
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      Brazil’s 26-man squad
      Goalkeepers:
      Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Man City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
      Defenders:
      Dani Alves (UNAM), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
      Midfielders:
      Casemiro (Man Utd), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Man Utd), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
      Forwards:
      Antony (Man Utd), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

      He added: “Nobody knows who he is.
      “Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn’t hold the position you do, because you’re not fair to Gabigol (Barbosa).
      “The guy (Martinelli) who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is…
      “And not taking Gabigol, the guy who scored the goal of the Libertadores title, who scored 29 goals in the season.”
      Neto, 56, then stuck the boot into the Gunners, saying: “What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!”
      Martinelli, 21, has earned three senior caps for Brazil – all coming earlier this year.
      Jesus also found himself caught in Neto’s crossfire.
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      He asked of the former Manchester City star: “How many goals has Gabriel Jesus scored in these last games? Oh, none.
      “In the World Cup? Zero. In the qualifiers? Zero. He hasn’t scored in eight games.”
      Gabriel Jesus’ form for Brazil was questionedCredit: EPA
      Neto wanted Gabriel Barbosa to be pickedCredit: AFP More

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      Swiss FA show gay couple in World Cup squad announcement as Germany star Goretzka slams Qatar chief’s LGBTQ+ comments

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      THE SWITZERLAND FA have shown a gay couple in the World Cup squad announcement video.It comes after World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman called homosexuality “damage in the mind”, though a spokesman said there was no connection between the two statements.
      The squad announcement video shows two Switzerland fans holding handsCredit: Twitter @nati_sfv_asf
      Switzerland are proud of the diversity in their squadCredit: Twitter @nati_sfv_asf
      Granit Xhaka will wear the OneLove armband as Switzerland captainCredit: Getty
      The video shows a number of Switzerland shirts bearing the names of players like Breel Embolo and Granit Xhaka, with the Swiss keen to highlight the importance of diversity in their team.
      A gay couple are then shown walking hand in hand – an act which is frowned upon in Qatar.
      The video also shows an interview with Swiss FA spokesman Adrian Arnold, who spoke about Salman’s comments and revealed Switzerland will take part in the OneLove campaign.
      Arnold said: “They are hurtful, unworthy, and totally inconsistent with the code of values ​​that we have at the Switzerland FA. We always have at the Switzerland FA.
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      “We have always tried to make our statements and also to campaign for them, also with the working group on human rights, which our President founded.
      “With the clear demand to all those involved that the same rights should apply to everyone – around the world, including in Qatar, regardless of a person’s political, religious or sexual orientation.
      “We have decided together with the players that we will wear the one-love captain’s armband, Granit Xhaka will do so for the games at the World Cup.
      “As a signal that the same rights should apply to all people in the world – regardless of their political, religious or sexual orientation.”
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      Germany star Leon Goretzka has also condemned Salman’s comments, decrying his view as “oppressive”.
      He told German media: “It’s very oppressive. This is an image of a man that comes from another millennium.
      “It leaves you speechless that something like this can be said by a World Cup ambassador shortly before a World Cup.”
      Salman sparked outrage with his comments, saying: “During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let’s talk about gays.
      “The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules.”
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      “(Homosexuality) is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?
      “Why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind.” More

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      Neil Warnock picks his England squad for World Cup 2022 including four wild cards

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      NEIL WARNOCK has picked his 26-man England squad for Qatar… with four wildcards included.Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will name players selected for the World Cup at 2pm on Thursday.
      Neil Warnock has made some tough callsCredit: AP
      Gareth Southgate names his squad at 2pm this afternoonCredit: AFP
      Never short in expressing an opinion, English managerial legend Warnock has given his view on who should make the cut.
      The 73-year-old, who retired from football back in April, made no surprise selections between the sticks – with Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope his goalkeepers.
      Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold are Warnock’s right-backs – although he did spring some surprises in the rest of his defence.
      Uncapped Newcastle ace Dan Burn is among his centre-backs following his great form for the Magpies.
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      He joins Harry Maguire, John Stones, Ben White and Fikayo Tomori.
      Warnock unsurprisingly picked Luke Shaw at left-back, as well as Crystal Palace ace Tyrick Mitchell in the absence of Ben Chilwell.
      In midfield he went with Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount – as well as the fit-again Kalvin Phillips.
      He would also pick one-cap ace James Maddison, following his brilliant form for Leicester.

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      Southgate has a number of exciting attacking players to choose from, with Jadon Sancho just one of many to miss out on Warnock’s squad.
      In the wide areas he has selected Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka.
      And Warnock would take Callum Wilson to back up Harry Kane – ahead of the likes of Ollie Watkins, Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney.
      Southgate, 52, has had to make some brutal decisions.
      According to the Telegraph, Abraham, Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori have all failed to make the cut.
      Neil Warnock has picked his 26-man squadCredit: @Warnockofficial Twitter More

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      Alan Shearer predicts England will be knocked out of World Cup 2022 in quarter-finals and reveals two concerns

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      NEWCASTLE legend Alan Shearer reckons England will get knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals.The Three Lions have reached at least the semi-finals at the last two tournaments, losing to Croatia in 2018 and Italy in the final at Euro 2020.
      Alan Shearer reckons England will get knocked out at the quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      But the ex-England striker, who’s worried about the defence, doesn’t think Gareth Southgate’s side will perform as well this time around.
      He said: “I don’t see us going as far as we have done in the last two tournaments.
      “I think in terms of midfield positions and forward positions Southgate will be confident but in terms of defensively, that’s an area for concern.
      “We should win the group with the ability that we have in our squad.
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      “The further you go in the tournament the better the opposition are going to be and the players you’re up against, so my concern for England would be defence.
       “I think he’s got some big decisions to make in terms of the 11 he starts and what system he’s going to play.

      “It’s probably been made slightly easier for him now he can have a squad of 26 rather than 23.
      “We have got one or two injuries which he has to make a call on because maybe two or three players haven’t played for six or seven weeks.
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      “With the success that they have had in the last two tournaments we want England to go that one step further and try and win it.
      “Whether we can or not remains to be seen. It’s going to be very, very difficult.”
      If England win their group they’re in line to face France in the last eight, while coming second could see them come up against Argentina.
      Asked about how far he thinks England will go, Shearer said: “I’d say maybe a quarter-final.” More

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      2018 World Cup final referee married to sexy OnlyFans model who leaves followers stunned with naked snaps

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      THE referee from the 2018 World Cup final is married to a sexy OnlyFans model Romina Ortega who shares racy snaps with her followers.Nestor Pitana, who is believed to be retiring after being left out of Fifa’s list for this year’s tournament, first went public with Romina in 2014 when he was chosen to referee at the World Cup in Brazil.
      World Cup 2018 final referee Pitana is married to an OnlyFans modelCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The happy couple on holidayCredit: TWITTER
      Romina made her first public appearance at the 2014 World Cup when her husband was called upon to be a refereeCredit: Twitter
      Romina often leaves fans stunned with racy snapsCredit: Twitter
      The mother of two is also into her fitnessCredit: Twitter
      The stunning model has hundreds of thousands of followers across all of her social media platformsCredit: Twitter
      Mother-of-two Romina’s eye-catching figure was a big hit with social media users who spotted photos of the couple at an airport.
      The wife of the Argentine official is into her fitness and exercise routines, which she often posts to her platforms.
      But she decided to reveal more on adult content site OnlyFans.
      Romina’s mouth-watering naked snaps leave little to the imagination, with one fan describing her as “divine treasure”.
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      And while Romina wows her fans online, husband Pitana, 48, continues to referee in South America.
      But football fans will not get to see him in action this December at the Qatar World Cup – despite his wealth of experience.
      Incumbent IFFHS World’s Best Referee Felix Brych of Germany also missed out.
      However, three female referees and three female assistant referees have been confirmed among the officials roster.
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      And we are set to witness history.
      It will be the first time referees of the opposite gender have led matches in men’s football’s biggest tournament. More

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      Tammy Abraham among five stars ‘left out of England World Cup 2022 squad’ as Gareth Southgate picks his 26 stars

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      TAMMY ABRAHAM, Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi and two other England stars have been left out of the World Cup squad.Gareth Southgate is set to name his 26-man squad for Qatar but Roma striker Abraham has not made the cut, report The Telegraph.
      Tammy Abraham is not going to the World CupCredit: Getty
      Ivan Toney also looks set to miss out after scoring eight Premier League goals this seasonCredit: Getty
      Fikayo Tomori has been left behind despite many calls for him to make the squadCredit: Getty
      Gareth Southgate has decided not to take Marc Guehi to QatarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      SunSport understands defenders Tomori and Guehi have been left out despite being part of recent Three Lions squads, while Ivan Toney, James Ward-Prowse have also been overlooked.
      Tomori and Guehi’s absence means Harry Maguire is likely to be called up and there is still hope for Kyle Walker, who is an injury doubt.
      It could also mean a return to the England squad for in-form Arsenal star Ben White, who has impressed at right-back this season.
      Abraham and Toney’s absence gives hope to Newcastle star Callum Wilson, who has found form in front of goal at the perfect time.
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      The striker has six goals in ten Premier League games for the Magpies and his manager Eddie Hower revealed he is “desperate” to go to Qatar.
      Wilson has just four caps to his name and has not played for Southgate since 2019.
      But he could be back above Abraham in the pecking order with the former Chelsea forward scoring only three goals this term.
      Abraham was called up to the Three Lions squad during the Nations League but squandered his opportunity after failing to impress in England’s 0-0 draw with Italy in June.
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      Tomori also misses out after Southgate failed to give him a chance to impress in the Nations League.
      The AC Milan defender was not selected in the matchday squad to face Italy or Germany in September despite keeping a clean sheet against the Azzurri in the summer.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold was also not selected for those two matches but with Reece James ruled out through injury the Liverpool star could be picked for the World Cup.
      Crystal Palace centre-back Guehi was named on the bench against Germany but his chances of making the World Cup suffered a major blow after he started in England’s 4-0 Wembley defeat to Hungary in June. More

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      Arsenal keeper Matt Turner didn’t in goal until he was at high school before incredible rise to US World Cup star

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      ARSENAL goalkeeper Matt Turner didn’t play football until he was in high school – but is now going to the World Cup with the USA.The 28-year-old didn’t even make his professional debut until the start of 2018.
      Matt Turner didn’t play football until he was 16 but is going to the World CupCredit: Getty
      Turner has been named in the USA squadCredit: Getty
      But having swapped Major League Soccer for the Premier League with the Gunners earlier this year, the keeper is now off to Qatar.
      Turner signed for Arsenal in February from New England Revolution, although he remained with the US side for the rest of the season.
      He has made just four appearances for the Gunners, all coming in the Europa League.
      But he had already established himself as the USA’s No.1 before he signed and is therefore in line to play in Qatar.
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      Remarkably, Turner revealed that he didn’t play in goal until he went to secondary school and was only inspired by the South Africa World Cup, when USA faced England.
      He said: “Soccer was a part of my life but not a big part.
      “What made me fall in love with the game was the World Cup in 2010.
      “My friends would come over and we would watch all three games and after the games we would go down to the field and try to recreate things we saw happen during the day.
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      “I played goalkeeper for the first time in high school, but it wasn’t until after the World Cup, where I thought ‘this sport is truly amazing and I want to try and get good at it’.”
      “Looking at that TV in 2010, I have such vivid memories of sitting on the couch, watching the games and being enamoured by it all.
      “And for 12 years later to be able to say ‘I watched that, I thought about it and then I went for it’ is just insane.
      “It shows for me it would be worth it because I was living a dream.
      “I get to play this game every single day and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” More