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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

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      Marco Reus set to miss World Cup 2022 after Germany and Dortmund star suffers injury setback

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      GERMANY star Marco Reus has reportedly been ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury.The issue has limited him to just 68 minutes of action since the beginning of October and he missed Borussia Dortmund’s last four Champions League games.
      Marco Reus has been ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injuryCredit: AFP
      Reus has been unable to recover from the injury he sustained in SeptemberCredit: Rex
      He was initially sidelined with a ruptured ankle ligament though he did return to make two substitute appearances for Dortmund.
      But recurring inflammation on his ankle means the attacker is not fit enough to go to the World Cup, according to Sky Sports Germany.
      It is a big blow for manager Hansi Flick who is also without former Chelsea striker Timo Werner after he was ruled out with an ankle injury.
      With that pair absent Flick has reportedly turned to Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko, with the 17-year-old set to make the Germany squad for the first time.
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      Reus also missed out on the 2014 World Cup with an ankle injury, which Germany won, though he did play a part in Russia 2018.
      A groin issue prevented him from playing at Euro 2016 while fatigue meant he was unable to play at Euro 2020 – completing his curse at major tournaments.
      Sadio Mane also had no luck on his side after picking up an injury in Bayern Munich’s penultimate game before the World Cup.
      The Senegal star will undergo tests after limping off the pitch against Werder Bremen on Tuesday but the early signs do not look good and he could be out of the tournament.
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      A number of high-profile stars are in a similar position including England pair Ben Chilwell and Reece James, with the latter confirming he will not be on the plane.
      France midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante have also been ruled out with injury, as has Spain and Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
      Portugal forward Diogo Jota will miss out after he was stretchered off in Liverpool’s win over Manchester City last month.
      And he could be joined by Barcelona and Uruguay star Ronald Araujo who suffered a thigh injury in September and is likely to miss out. More

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      3 value-for-money defenders who could bring your Dream Team World Cup XI together

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      DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP managers will obviously be desperate to include some big names in their XI this winter.However, the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Kevin De Bruyne are sure to break the bank once player prices are finalised next week.
      That means gaffers will need to identify some cheaper, value-for-money options to balance the books – remember, teams with a total value over £50million won’t be eligible to score points.
      With that in mind, we’ve picked out three affordable defenders capable of punching above their weight in Qatar.

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      Netherlands will be confident of going deep in Qatar
      Nathan Ake

      Provisional price range: £3m – £3.5m
      Country: Netherlands

      Louis van Gaal has options aplenty at centre-back with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Stefan De Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt and 21-year-old Ajax prospect Jurrien Timber also at his disposal.
      But what casual fans may not realise is that Ake is the leading candidate to start as the left-sided centre-back in the preferred 3-4-1-2 formation.
      Factor in the Netherlands’ favourable group (Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal) and whether the Manchester City defender is confirmed at £3m or £3.5m, he will be reasonably priced.
      Granted, the Oranje haven’t been as tight at the back as they would have liked in recent times but they’ve played some brilliant football and will be hopeful of clean sheets against Ecuador and the hosts – the AFCON champions will pose a greater threat.
      Joachim Andersen
      Great Dane!Credit: getty

      Provisional price range: £3m – £3.5m
      Country: Denmark

      If the Crystal Palace centre-back is finalised at the top end of his provisional price range then ‘value for money’ might be pushing it but he would probably be worth a whirl at £3m.
      Denmark are firmly in the territory of ‘Dark Horses’ having beaten France home and away this year.
      No European nation boasted a better record than Kasper Hjulmand’s side in qualifying and, more relevant to this conversation, three goals conceded gave them the best defensive record.
      Andersen has started every Denmark game this calendar year so there’s no need to worry about selection dilemmas.
      Group D is intriguingly poised with the Danes set to meet Didier Deschamps’ mob again, as well as Tunisia and Australia.
      Antonee Robinson
      An outside-the-box option

      Provisional price range: £1.5m – £2m
      Country: USA

      Now this is a genuinely dirt-cheap option.
      The Fulham left-back is a key player for his country, potentially even more important than Barcelona/Milan’s Sergino Dest on the opposite flank.
      Instinctively, Group B feels like a potentially cagey one, even group favourites England have prioritised control over attacking intent at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate.
      USA have their limitations but they’re fit, strong and disciplined – they’ll probably be harder to beat than most casual fans think.
      It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see them register a clean sheet against Wales and/or Iran and given that Robinson contributed two goals and three assists in qualifying, he’s got an outside chance of reaching double figures in terms of points before the end of the group stage.
      Obviously this punt comes with risk but that’s what you get when you shop around the bargain aisle.

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      Qatar ‘is not ready to host World Cup with staff working day and night to transform ghost town days before kick-off’

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      STAFF are “working day and night” in a desperate race against time to get Qatar ready for the World Cup kick-off next week.A fresh report has claimed that “Qatar has left it late” as they battle to get streets and fan zones ready for the start in 11 days.
      Qatar has ‘left it late’ with their preparations for the World CupCredit: AFP
      Workers are grafting around the clock to get fan zones readyCredit: AFP
      Workers are seen preparing a Fan VillageCredit: Reuters
      Labourers have been spotted working into the early hours assembling the fan zoneCredit: AFP
      A spokesperson is adamant that Qatar will be ready for the start of the showpieceCredit: AFP
      It comes after disgraced ex-Fifa president Sepp Blatter blamed friend-turned foe Michel Platini for the “mistake” of awarding the Middle East nation the tournament.
      Football fans heading to the World Cup are already fuming over the cost of accommodation – with some luxury hotel suites costing a whopping £23,000-a-night.
      At the other end of the scale, supporters will fork out almost £200-a-night to stay in “cabins” that resemble a glorified shipping container.
      And we reported ten days ago how England’s build-up is in a heap of rubble — with the team hotel a construction site less than a month before kick-off.
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      The Sun witnessed migrant builders in overalls toiling in 35C heat to finish a swimming pool for Three Lions stars.
      Now The Telegraph has provided an update as workers frantically put the “finishing touches to fan zones and parts of the infrastructure” around the capital Doha ahead of the World Cup – which was awarded amid huge shock and Fifa corruption 12 years ago.

      They state that it looks like it “will go right down to the wire” with those sources, who have experience of the preparation process from recent tournaments, saying the oil and gas-rich nation have “left it late”.
      The eight stadiums and newly-installed metro system are all operational.
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      But they claim that workers are grafting deep into the early hours each night in order to get the official Fifa fan area at the Al Bidda Park, which opens on November 19 and is designed to host 40,000 people, up and ready for action.
      They claim that “scores of migrant workers in their blue boiler-suit uniforms were still building the main entrances” on Tuesday.
      The main stage is built, but the majority of the remaining site has not yet been completed, with “migrant labourers working as late as 10pm Doha time on Tuesday night with some, on their breaks, napping in the freshly-laid grass verges”.
      A number of newly-installed street signs around the city are also still in their “bubble-wrap protection” as well as the World Cup-branded steel traffic dividers that sit on the Corniche seafront road.
      However, despite the sites resembling ghost towns at the moment except for the workers, organisers are adamant that “Qatar is ready” to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans from next week.
      A spokesman for the Supreme Organising Committee said: “All eight stadia were completed a full year ahead of the tournament start date, a degree of readiness no Fifa World Cup managed before us.
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      “Other major infrastructure projects – including the new state-of-the-art Doha Metro, new expressways, and upgrades to Hamad International airport – are also complete and in full operation.
      “Our attention now is squarely focused on hosting a tournament to remember for the many thousands of fans who will be travelling to Qatar.”
      Employees prepare fan cabins at Al-Emadi fan villageCredit: AFP
      Final preparations are being madeCredit: AFP More

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      Harry Kane ‘really, really tired’ reveals Conte in shock admission to leave Southgate sweating 10 days before World Cup

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      ENGLAND captain Harry Kane is “really, really, tired” just 10 days before the World Cup starts.Tottenham boss Antonio Conte’s shock admission will be a major concern for Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate just hours before he names his 26-man squad.
      Antonio Conte admitted Harry Kane was ‘really, really, tired’ after Tottenham’s loss to Nottingham ForestCredit: Reuters
      Kane was hauled off in the 59th minute as he couldn’t prevent Spurs falling to a third-round defeatCredit: Reuters
      And he’ll be worried further by the news Kane even struggled in a light training session the day before.
      The striker was subbed after just 59 minutes as Tottenham lost 2-0 to ten-man Nottingham Forest – one of five London Prem clubs KO’d in last night’s Carabao Cup.
      Asked why the 29-year-old was taken off, Conte confessed: “It was a problem of tiredness.
      “Really, really tired and yesterday we had a soft training session and at one point he stopped to recover energy.
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      “It was difficult for Kane today.
      “When you have a player like him it’s difficult to decide you don’t play with him.
      “It’s only fatigue, but it’s normal because Harry has played every game.”
      Kane has played a staggering 22 matches already this season and an eye-watering 12 since October 1.
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      Conte added: “Other players maybe they could tell me I’m tired and don’t want to play and help the team.
      “I have a group of players who are before players they are men, and because of this another could be selfish and think for himself because in one week they have to play the World Cup.
      “Instead, Kane showed to be a really good man and it’s the same for Hojberg, Bentancur, Perisic and Dier who have also played a lot of games.”
      Fans reacted with shock when the team news revealed England’s talisman was starting against Forest in a competition normally used by top sides to blood the youngsters.
      And his surprise inclusion did not prevent Spurs joining Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace in a night of capital punishment.
      It leaves League One Charlton as the only London club left.
      Southgate will name his squad at 2pm today with Chelsea right-back Reece James already receiving the devastating news he will not be selected.
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      The Three Lions gaffer faces tough decisions on fellow injured stars Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips.
      Meanwhile England’s Group B opponents Wales were one of the teams to announce their squad last night – with boss Rob Page admitting star man Gareth Bale may not feature in every game.
      The England captain struggled in a light training session before the gameCredit: Alamy
      Gareth Southgate will be sweating on the fitness of his talisman with the World Cup just 10 days awayCredit: Getty More