World Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      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.
      Most read in Football
      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

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.

      PLAY DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO PLAY, BRILLIANT FUN

      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.

      PLAY DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO PLAY, BRILLIANT FUN

      Most read in Dream Team More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      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.
      Most read in Football
      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
      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.
      Read More on The Sun
      “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

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

      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.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      “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.
      Most read in Football
      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
      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.
      Read More on The Sun
      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

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      England’s 26-man World Cup squad to receive text TWO HOURS before announcement with Southgate loyal to Euro 2020 stars

      by

      ENGLAND stars will today receive a magical midday World Cup text.The 26-man squad are set to all get early confirmation they are booked on the plane to Qatar ahead of manager Gareth Southgate’s official announcement at 2pm.
      Gareth Southgate is due to name his England squad for the World Cup in QatarCredit: Getty
      Tottenham striker Harry Kane is set to be on the plane to QatarCredit: Getty
      Boss Southgate is looking to stick with the players who helped him reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.
      It means there are unlikely to be many shocks, although Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is hoping for a call-up.
      And that could be bad news for Roma’s Tammy Abraham, who has struggled with his form in Italy this season.
      Ivan Toney and Jarrod Bowen also face heartbreak but Wilson, 30, could be rewarded for his decent record for Newcastle, having scored six times.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      It would still be a gamble as his fourth and final England cap came three years ago.
      Kyle Walker, who has not played since October 2 after suffering a groin problem for Manchester City, is hopeful he will be among the players heading to the Middle East, along with team-mate Kalvin Phillips who has also been out for most of the season.
      Southgate will be able to wait until Monday, after the weekend games, before giving his final list to Fifa.
      England fly to Qatar on Tuesday with the opener against Iran six days later.
      Most read in Football
      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
      Southgate admits that due to squads enlarged from 23 to 26, he can take a fitness gamble with a couple of players.
      He did the same with Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson ahead of Euro 2020.
      But the Three Lions boss is unlikely to pick many players on standby.He said: “I wouldn’t imagine too many would be needed on a standby list, because by that point we should have a pretty clear picture, bar the last game.
      “We’ll work out the day depending on some of the other matches.”There has been a call for players such as in-form Leicester midfielder James Maddison to be included.
      Marcus Rashford has not played for England since missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final but he hopes to get the nod after showing glimpses of his old self for Manchester United.
      Yet Southgate has been frustrated by the amount of times he has withdrawn from England squads.
      He picked Rashford for two World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino in November last year.
      Rashford withdrew with an illness but five days after the 10-0 win at San Marino, he started United’s 4-1 loss at Watford.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold will make it due to the absence of crocked right-back Reece James and left-back Ben Chilwell.
       ENGLAND SQUAD (possible): Pickford, Ramsdale, Pope, Alexander-Arnold, Trippier, Walker, White, Maguire, Stones, Coady, Dier, Shaw, Tomori, Bellingham, Henderson, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Phillips, Foden, Sterling, Mount, Grealish, Saka, Kane, Wilson, Rashford. More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea boss Graham Potter warns Premier League giants NOT to expect World Cup stars back for Boxing Day fixtures

      by

      THE bosses of the 20 Premier League clubs have been warned not to expect all their World Cup stars back for the Boxing Day restart.Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva was among 12 England-based Brazilian players selected, with eight top-flight Argentines also heading for Qatar.
      Thiago Silva will play for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar.Credit: Getty
      And Graham Potter suggested managers should not expect players who make the December 18 final to be available for the Prem’s restart.
      The Stamford Bridge boss said: “I don’t know what the motivation of another human will be after a World Cup.
      “Most people who have won it celebrate on open-top buses — and then need a three-week holiday to recover.
      “I could be selfish and say we need them back.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      “But if they don’t celebrate and they have to come back here it will be difficult. They have to recover emotionally.
      “And if you’ve lost the final it’s going to take more than three or four days to get over it.”
      Meanwhile, ITV pundits including Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Joe Cole will be able to avoid the make-up humiliation of their World Cup precessors back in 1994.
      In a break from tradition, ITV will present their views from the stadiums rather than having a Doha backdrop.
      Most read in Football
      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
      The pundits will be able to see patterns of play in temperatures that will touch 30C in the group phase.
      And unlike Denis Law, Ron Atkinson and Co 28 years ago, they will be allowed to show off a healthy glow.
      In 1994, ITV were in Dallas but execs were worried that the pundits seemed like they had been enjoying the sun too much.
      Orders from the top saw them plastered in talcum powder so they looked more pallid. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd icon Ferdinand fears for England at World Cup as he predicts ‘worst-case scenario’ with ‘Achilles heel’ Maguire

      by

      RIO FERDINAND believes England are facing a “worst-case scenario” by relying on Harry Maguire at the World Cup when he is short of form and fitness.And the ex-Three Lions centre-back predicts Gareth Southgate’s deficiencies in defence will be our “Achilles heel” out in Qatar.
      Harry Maguire is expected to be named in England’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar despite a lack of game-time at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Rio Ferdinand thinks that Maguire could be England’s Achilles heel in the backline at the World Cup.Credit: Reuters
      Southgate has stood by Maguire during the Manchester United man’s nightmare season where he has lost his starting spot at Old Trafford and struggled with a thigh injury.
      The England boss has pointed out that Maguire played a huge role in the nation’s successful runs in the last two major tournaments — and will back his man at the upcoming finals.
      Ferdinand can understand that loyalty — even if it may be “blind trust” — but is concerned about the number of defenders with recent injury problems set to be named in the squad.
      Manchester City’s Kyle Walker looks as if he will win his race against a groin injury but Chelsea pair Reece James and Ben Chilwell are out.Ferdinand, 43, admitted: “Harry has not let England down ever. He’s been phenomenal for England.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      “But his form has gone out the window for Man Utd. He’s not in the team, he’s got an injury as well.
      “Going into a tournament, I couldn’t think of another worst-case scenario. I would be concerned about that.
      “You can go in there with one, maybe, like that. But we’ve got Walker and Maguire in the defensive line who are potentially going to be going in there off the back of injuries and a lack of form.”
      Ferdinand won 81 caps in his 14 years playing for England.
      Most read in Football
      Being such a great player meant the likes of Jonathan Woodgate and Jamie Carragher rarely got a look-in — two players who surely would rack up the appearances if they were playing today.
      Were there such depth at centre-back available to the current Three Lions boss, Ferdinand does not believe he would be so reliant on Maguire.
      He added: “He trusts him. It could be blind trust, I don’t know. But he does trust him. As a manager you’re going to go with what you know, with what you’re comfortable with.
      “The problem he’s got is it’s not like he has four or five other candidates like in my generation where you’d be able to go ‘he’s out of form’ or ‘he’s not playing’ or ‘he’s injured’.
      “I had Sol Campbell, Carragher, Woodgate, Ledley King, the list goes on. All of those players start today.
      “I’ve always thought if you’re going to win a tournament, you’ve got to have a good defence.
      “That’s where we’re probably at our weakest now. Even if there weren’t injuries or lack of form, I feel like that was our weakest area anyway.
      “Walker, our quickest defender, out. Maguire, form and injuries. When you’re looking at it, you’re thinking, ‘What are we going to do?’ Is (Trevoh) Chalobah going to be ready? He’s playing really well. But last month it was (Fikayo) Tomori. Before that it was (Marc) Guehi.
      “There’s no one in there that you go, ‘They jump out as the No 1 candidates to go and play’. So it’s very difficult. That could in the end be our Achilles heel.”
      Despite his reservations over the Three Lions’ backline, Ferdinand still reckons a successful tournament for England can only be defined if they come back with the trophy next month.
      It is what he sees as the next step after reaching the semi-finals in Russia and the final at Euro 2020.
      He said: “If you base it on the last two tournaments of semis and then final, surely the progression has to be to win it.
      “Anything less is going to be seen as a bit underwhelming because you are looking at the trajectory and the FA’s plans would have been that.”
      To win it, England would most likely have to win a quarter-final against reigning champions France, who are many people’s tip, including Ferdinand’s, for the title.
      There are some that believe that whatever happens this could be Southgate’s final tournament in charge, despite being contracted until 2024.
      The Three Lions chief copped flak over the summer for a run of six Nations League games without a win which included a 4-0 hiding at home to Hungary.
      Read More on The Sun
      Yet Ferdinand added: “I don’t know how seriously they take the Nations League. But he’s earned the grace from what he’s done. For just morale, given what we’ve been through.“He was that close, a whisker away from winning the Euros. He’s taken us to heights that we’ve not seen since 1966, in two tournaments.
      “He obviously knows how to get through to the latter stages of a tournament. What are you going to get rid of that for?”*Rio Ferdinand’s Tipping Point launches tomorrow exclusively on Prime Video. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Stuart Pearce backs Gareth Southgate to make right calls when naming England World Cup squad despite selection headache

      by

      STUART PEARCE has told Gareth Southgate to ignore the noise and stick to his gut when it comes to his England squad selection.The Three Lions’ 26-man travelling party for the Qatar World Cup will be announced on Thursday after months of anticipation and debate.
      Gareth Southgate has been backed to make the right calls with his England squad announcementCredit: Reuters
      Stuart Pearce believes everyone should have faith in Southgate’s selectionCredit: The Sun
      The England boss has some big calls to make, including whether to pick the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Maddison and Ivan Toney.
      Southgate has been criticised in the past for playing it too safe with his selections, especially heading into major tournaments.
      But ex-England defender Pearce – who made 78 appearances for his country – says his old teammate’s record of getting it right are clear for all to see.
      Asked if Southgate needs to stick to his gut, Pearce said: “Exactly that. We are doing a lot of things right.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “If we roll the clock back to last April or May and asked the same question, I don’t think there would be any doubters.
      “What we have had is a tough Nations League on the back of a really long season. That tells you everything.
      “But we have one of the most level people we will ever have in charge of our national team.
      “He is a brilliant ambassador for the nation and I personally think whilst he comes across as an affable person, which he is, he also makes tough judgement calls.
      Most read in Football
      PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
      “He understands that whatever team he picks, he will potentially get criticised.
      “But, he has got most of his team selections correct over time. You don’t get to finals or semi-finals unless you have.”
      The competition for places will see several big stars left at home, but Pearce believes that should only be viewed as a positive for English football.
      He said: “If we all knew which team and which squad were going, that means we haven’t got a wealth of players.
      “Someone like James Maddison hasn’t been picked in the last few squads but he has been playing well. Ivan Toney is playing well for his club, Callum Wilson too.
      “There are certain players outside the last squad that are actually not getting in. The more players we have vying for spots in the squad, it has got to be a good thing.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Pearce feels Southgate’s biggest dilemma is whether to include Leicester playmaker Maddison after his surge in form, adding: “For James, the problem is playing in a position where we have so much talent. Gareth will be aware of that.”
      Entain, global betting and gaming operator behind Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to support Camden Town FC as part of its ‘Pitching In’ Grassroots Investment Fund, supporting community sport, including the ‘Pitching In’ Trident Leagues More