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      15.9% of Dream Team World Cup bosses are potentially making a mistake picking Diogo Dalot

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      DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP gaffers are busy selecting their provisional teams ahead of the official squad announcements.Unlimited transfers are available right up until the tournament gets underway which means you can tinker away to your heart’s content as there is plenty of time to correct any errors before scoring starts.
      And one potential error worth flagging is the widespread selection of Diogo Dalot.

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      A popular man among Dream Team World Cup gaffersCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
      The 23-year-old currently features in 15.9% of teams, making him the fifth-most popular defender in the game at this stage.
      On the surface, it’s understandable why Dalot boasts such a big ownership.
      With 79 points to his name, he’s the joint-third best asset in his position in Dream Team’s classic Season game right now.
      After an initial wobble, Manchester United have been relatively disciplined at the back under Erik ten Hag and Dalot has been one of the Red Devils’ most-consistent performers.
      The ex-Porto full-back is one of the first names on the team sheet at club level this term and having started the Season game at just £2.5m, he’s been one of the best bargain options of 2022/23.
      However, all those who have picked him in Dream Team World Cup so far are overlooking one massive factor: Joao Cancelo.
      Be aware of Portugal’s pecking order
      Manchester City’s No7 may have played predominantly as a left-back under Pep Guardiola in recent times but his preferred position is right-back, a role he fulfils for Portugal.
      Cancelo has been one of the best players in the world in his position in the last two or three years and while it could be argued he hasn’t always translated his club form to the international stage, it’s highly likely Fernando Santos will select him to start at right-back when his side embark on their campaign in Qatar.
      That leaves Dalot as a back-up option, a very capable back-up option who offers Portugal helpful depth, but a back-up option nonetheless.
      Some gaffers may think that Cancelo could play at left-back to accommodate Dalot on the right but that would be a new ploy for Santos, something he’s unlikely to try for the first time at a major tournament.
      Besides, Portugal have PSG’s Nuno Mendes and Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro competing for the left-back spot, two talented options.
      Essentially, while it’s not unthinkable that Dalot could start for Portugal at the World Cup, it’s unlikely – and gaffers should generally avoid benchwarmers.
      Dalot scored a brace for Portugal earlier this yearCredit: getty
      One potential spanner in the works is Dalot’s performance against Czech Republic in the Nations League in September, when he scored a brace as part of a superb all-round display.
      Perhaps it’s this performance that Dream Team World Cup bosses have in mind when choosing their provisional teams – beware this bear trap.
      If you want an alternative in the same price range then consider Nathan Ake, who will almost certainly start for an impressive Netherlands outfit gifted a favourable group.

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      Watch Matheus Cunha’s heartbreaking reaction to missing out on Brazil’s World Cup as fans all blame the same person

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      ATLETICO MADRID forward Matheus Cunha found out on Monday the devastating news that he had not been included in Brazil’s World Cup squad.The 23-year-old was included in Tite’s most recent selection back in September – and even featured in the 3-0 win over Ghana.
      Matheus Cunha has failed to make Brazil’s squad for the World Cup later this monthCredit: Getty
      Really sad to see Matheus Cunha like this. I’m sure if he picked the correct European club to go to instead of Atletico Madrid, he would be on that list too. pic.twitter.com/5iJMZVtXxp— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) November 7, 2022

      His heartbreaking reaction to missing out on the squad was posted on social mediaCredit: Twitter / BrasilEdition
      Fans have blamed Atletico Madrid boss Simeone for Cunha’s World Cup omissionCredit: AFP
      But he still missed out on the final cut for the Qatar tournament later this month as a host of world class talent got in there ahead of him.
      Brazil’s forward selection is made up of Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Pedro, Raphinha, Richarlison, Rodrygo, and Vinicius Jr.
      And Cunha’s poor form for Atletico Madrid has ultimately cost him a place in the squad.
      The clip taken shortly after finding out the bad news was accompanied by a message from Cunha on social media.
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      It read: “People, to all of you who don’t stop sending messages, thank you. It was suffered, it was hurt and it’s part of it.
      “Our selection is amazing and the competition is very big. Thank you from the heart for the support.”
      Since joining Atletico in 2021, Cunha has registered just seven goals and eight assists in 53 appearances.
      His struggles have come while the likes of Antony, Jesus, Martinelli, Raphinha and Richarlison have continued to improve.
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      And football fans on social media have blamed Atletico boss Diego Simeone’s style of play as the reason behind Cunha failing to make the World Cup.
      Reacting on Twitter, one person said: “Made the wrong call, Simeone ball doesn’t allow for players like him to thrive.
      “Still young and got a bright future ahead of him if he can get out of Atleti.”
      And another added: “Griezmann and Falcao were already doing better for Sociedad and Porto respectively.
      “Simeone only improved Costa. Atletico is the wrong choice for Cunha.”
      But a third asked if Cunha was ever good enough for Atletico altogether, saying: “The real question is whether Cunha has enough quality to play for a club like Atletico.
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      “In a club with players like Griezmann, Joao Felix, Morata, etc., it is normal for him to never play.
      “Thank God for being able to play a few minutes with that shirt.” More

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      Can you recognise these iconic World Cup kits? Take our footie brain-teaser quiz to see how many you know

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      WITH the World Cup just around the corner, can you identify these classic international football shirts which have stood the test of time?Take our brain teaser quiz to see if you can recognise your favourite kits from around the world, featuring the likes of Brazil, Germany and England who are all taking part in this year’s tournament.
      England’s World Cup winning strip in 1966 was voted the side’s greatest of all timeCredit: Popperfoto – Getty
      Argentina’s 1986 World Cup strip, as worn by Diego Maradona, has been voted the greatest international football shirt by 2,000 footie fansCredit: Getty
      It comes as research of 2,000 football fans revealed the greatest international football shirt of all time as Argentina’s 1986 World Cup blue and white striped home jersey worn by Diego Maradona during the infamous ‘hand of God’ tournament.
      England’s World Cup winning Umbro 1966 red strip came second, followed by the 1970 Brazil home top made by Athleta International and notably worn by Pelé when leading his country to victory.
      Belgium’s Adidas home shirt from 1984 and England’s once maligned Admiral home jersey from 1982 are fondly remembered too.
      A spokesman for CopyBet, which commissioned the research and developed the quiz, said: “Football fans remember kits with great sentiment and affection, and we wanted to celebrate that ahead of the World Cup by uncovering the best international kits of all time.
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      “Despite a difficult relationship between England fans and the victorious 1986 Argentina team, the legendary performances of Diego Maradona mean this particular kit is still held in the highest regard as an icon of the game, as is England’s 1966 away shirt which saw them clinch the trophy all those years ago.
      “These shirts carry so much history and what a way to reflect their linage ahead of the next tournament which is just around the corner.”
      England’s blue third strip from 1990 produced by Umbro and Cameroon’s Puma sleeveless strip from 2002 – which was eventually banned by FIFA – also proved popular.
      Other noteworthy tops include Nigeria’s 2018 Nike home shirt – much sought after its release, Wales’ retro-inspired 2006 Kappa red top, and Jamaica’s 2021 Umbro away shirt.
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      While the Argentina 1986 shirt was selected as the single greatest in international history, research found Brazil has the most iconic kits throughout the years, followed by England and Argentina.
      And Cameroon and Colombia also tend to ‘get it right’ when it comes to their football attire.
      The study also identified what makes a strip ‘iconic’ – with colour combinations (18 per cent), historical significance (16 per cent), and keeping with tradition (16 per cent) the top considerations.
      TOP 10 GREATEST INTERNATIONAL SHIRTS OF ALL TIME
      1.            Argentina, home, 1986, Le Coq Sportif
      2.            England, away, 1966, Umbro
      3.            Brazil, home, 1970, Athleta International
      4.            Belgium, home, 1984, Adidas
      5.            England, home, 1982, Admiral
      6.            England, home, 1990, Umbro
      7.            England, third, 1990, Umbro
      8.            Wales, home, 2006, Kappa
      9.            Nigeria, home, 2018, Nike
      10.          Cameroon, home, 2002, Puma

      Four in 10 adults polled consider replica tops to be fashion items – with 1990s shirts deemed the most stylish, followed by those released in the 1980s.
      Despite this, 48 per cent of footy fans believe current shirts are as good now as ever before – suggesting tops from the 2020s might be coveted in the future.
      TOP 5 COUNTRIES WITH THE MOST ICONIC FOOTBALL SHIRT
      1.            Brazil
      2.            England
      3.            Argentina
      4.            Cameroon
      5.            Columbia

      More than a third (35 per cent) who own a World Cup shirt from the past said they’d like to own even more – with 43 per cent having a specific top they’re especially keen to get their hands on.
      And they’re so set on owning such a strip they’d be willing to spend an average of £140 on it – with 10 per cent content to spend £400 or more, illustrating the demand for vintage shirts from down the years as a fashion item.
      But whether fans of the two home nations taking part in this year’s World Cup – Wales and England – will want to spend this much on their side’s latest efforts remains to be seen.
      TOP 10 GREATEST ENGLAND SHIRTS OF ALL TIME
      1.            England, away, 1966
      2.            England, away, 1990-92
      3.            England, home, 2022
      4.            England, away, 2020-22
      5.            England, away, 2022
      6.            England, away, 2007-09
      7.            England, home, 1980-83
      8.            England, third, 1990-92
      9.            England, away, 1995-97
      10.          England, home, 1997-99

      On a scale of one to 10 – with 10 being great – the Nike 2022 England home shirt scored an average of 5.91, while the Adidas Wales strip scored 6.03 among those polled.
      And with 48 per cent of the opinion the shirt a team wears can impact performances on the pitch – for better or worse – both Wales and England might have a fairly mediocre tournament in-store.
      Carried out through OnePoll, the study revealed of the 36 per cent of non-England fans who intend on buying a replica shirt for this year, 21 per cent are looking to buying a replica of Brazil kit, while 18 per cent are considering a USA and Germany top respectively.
      Fans of the Three Lions also voted on their favourite ever England top with the 1966 World Cup red strip securing first place ahead of the Italia 1990 away kit.
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      A spokesperson for CopyBet, added: “Football shirts have become an important part of the sport, especially when it comes to the World Cup.
      “With an increase to 48 countries in the 2026 World Cup, there will be even more shirts to enjoy, with this survey highlighting the fun and excitement fans get from owning and wearing the best international shirts on offer.”
      Fans voted Brazil has having the most iconic stripCredit: Rex More

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      Martinelli’s dad incredibly predicted he’d play at Qatar World Cup aged just SEVEN with Arsenal star now in Brazil squad

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      ARSENAL star Gabriel Martinelli was tipped to reach the World Cup from the age of seven by his dad Joao.Martinell’s place in Brazil’s 26-man squad was confirmed on Monday, with Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Jesus also included.
      Joao Martinelli (left) predicted his son would play at the World Cup aged seven
      The forward has been rewarded for his fine form this season after helping the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table with five goals and two assists.
      He has established himself as a key player in Mikel Arteta’s side after initially struggling for game time when he first arrived in 2019.
      But Martinelli’s father never doubted his talent and predicted he would go on to do great things from an early age.
      Martinelli, 21, recalled what his dad told him aged seven when he appeared on Ian Wright’s Wrighty’s House podcast in the summer.
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      He said: “I am trying everything to go to the World Cup.
      “Since I was seven I think when I start football my dad said ‘when you turn 21 you will play at the World Cup.
      “Every single day he was like ‘2022’.
      “My dad was always talking to me about this – at this point he did not know I would become a footballer. I was seven – how would he know?”
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      Although Martinelli’s inclusion in the squad may have come as no surprise to his dad, Brazil team-mate Neymar was left shocked.
      The Paris Saint-Germain ace hitman seemingly raised his eyebrows in disbelief after hearing Martinelli’s inclusion – at the expense of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino – in the squad before his own name was announced on Brazilian TV.
      Footage of his reaction quickly went viral and became the talk of social media, with one footy fan saying: “The reaction to Martinelli.
      “I would love to see Gabi finding out he made it.” More

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      Brazil’s World Cup squad has 12 stars from Premier League including surprise call-up for Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli

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      THERE were six Premier League based Brazilians in the squad for Russia 2018. Four years later that number has doubled – and it could have gone even higher.
      Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli was a surprise inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squadCredit: Getty
      Phillippe Coutinho is an old favourite of national team coach Tite. Despite a recent slump of form he may well have been on the plane had he not suffered his recent injury.
      He misses out to Everton Ribeiro, one of three domestically-based names in the list of 26.
      Another who has not made the cut is Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhaes.
      He was part of the squad for a while, but never got out onto the pitch.
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      When he was left out of the FIFA dates at the end of September it was clear that he had not convinced Tite, who has preferred Bremer of Juventus for the fourth centre back slot.
      The other two Gabriels from Arsenal were also not part of the squad in September. But both are in now.
      There was never much doubt about the inclusion of Gabriel Jesus.
      His recent form for Brazil has been poor (one goal in the last 20 games, and no competitive goal in more than three years), and he is unlikely to be a starter.
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      But his excellent start to the season and his all round attacking versatility mean that there was always going to be a place in the squad for him.
      But the same did not apply to Gabriel Martinelli. A while back there seemed little chance of him making the cut.
      Brazil already have more wide strikers than they know what to do with.
      But his form for his club forced Tite to sit up and take notice. Brazil’s coach saw him as the outstanding player in Arsenal’s recent win over Liverpool, and began to dwell on ways to get him into the squad.
      One option was to leave out Daniel Alves and only have one right back, in the hope that other defenders could cover the position if needed.
      This was rejected – and back in Brazil the inclusion of the 39 year old Alves is going down as the most controversial thing in the squad.
      Brazil will rely heavily on Neymar at the World Cup
      The other way was reluctantly to bite the bullet and drop someone – and it is an opponent from that game against Liverpool who has paid the price.
      Roberto Firmino looked sure of a place. His ability in the false nine role make him probably the most natural replacement for Neymar, and he seemed to be finding form at the right time.
      But if Martinelli was to come in, and Daniel Alves was to stay in, then someone had to go, and the axe fell on the unfortunate Firmino.
      In terms of the starting line up, Alisson and Thiago Silva are front runners, along with the midfield trio of Casemiro, Fred and Lucas Paqueta – although in Brazil’s most attacking formation, Paqueta takes the place of Fred to enable the selection of two wingers.
      And after seven goals in the last six games, a fit Richarlison is clear favourite to fill the centre forward slot.
      That, then, is a total of six (or five at worst) Premier League players as first choices for Brazil in the World Cup.
      Philippe Coutinho misses out through injuryCredit: AFP
      Serial winner Dani Alves’ inclusion at 39 is a talking point in BrazilCredit: AFP
      The others – Ederson, Fabinho, Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Jesus, Antony and Martinelli – will have to wait their turn.
      But they will all be aware that the World Cup is a dynamic process, that the team that starts the competition is not necessarily the one that ends it.
      The twelve Premier League stars can all dream of making a decisive contribution on December 18th, and ending a 20 year wait for title number six. More

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      Roma kid Cristian Volpato REJECTS World Cup call-up from Australia after breaking into first-team under Jose Mourinho

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      ROMA star Cristian Volpato has turned down a World Cup call-up by Australia as he wants to eventually play for Italy.The teenager is enjoying a break through season at the Serie A club under manager Jose Mourinho.
      Cristian Volpato has impressed for Roma this seasonCredit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho has promoted Cristian Volpato to his first-teamCredit: EPA
      He has featured five times for the first-team scoring one goal and it has led to Australia offering him a place in their 26-man squad heading to Qatar.
      However he has shockingly rejected the opportunity as he holds out to one day be part of an Italy squad.
      Socceroos boss Graham Arnold discussed Volpato’s decision in a press conference admitting Australia were desperate to have him in their team.
      Arnold said: “Until 11pm last night I was trying to convince Volpato to be in the team, it was not my decision.
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      “I spoke to Cristian three times. And I had spoken to him other times before that.
      “Yesterday I told him he was among the 26 called up for the World Cup. 

      “He told me he wanted to think about it and talk to people close to him to try to understand what was best for his career. He later decided to decline my offer to play for Australia in Qatar.”
      Volpato is eligible for both Italy and Australia but clearly has a preference over where his allegiance lies.
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      The 18-year-old was born Down Under and moved to Italy just two years ago.
      He has been capped by the Italian Under-19 and Under-20 sides but was then called up to the Aussies Under-23 team but had to forfeit his place in the squad by Roma.
      Volpato then reportedly posted a video online mocking the Australian team and the attacking midfielder was labelled as ‘childish’ by fans.
      Italy failed to qualify for this year’s tournament with Australia in Group D with France, Denmark and Tunisia.
      Arnold has other young stars to call upon in Qatar after choosing Newcastle wonderkid Garang Kuol.
      He has also called up Jason Cummings despite him playing for Scotland twice. More

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      When does Premier League football RESUME after the Qatar World Cup 2022?

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      FOOTBALL fans across the globe are preparing themselves for the FIRST EVER winter World Cup – but what does this mean for the Premier League?The highly-anticipated tournament gets underway in less than TWO weeks with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador.
      Qatar will face Ecuador on the opening day at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al KhorCredit: EPA
      And as a result, it leaves Premier League clubs with very little time to prepare for when the season continues.
      Find out more information on when England’s top tier division resumes below…
      When is the World Cup?

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      When does Premier League football return after the World Cup?
      Premier League football teams will be pushed to the limit this winter with the little turn around time that has been allocated them.
      Top-flight English football returns for its traditional Boxing Day fixtures which is just ONE week after the World Cup final.

      World Cup final – Sunday, December 18
      Boxing Day – Thursday, December 26

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      When does the Premier League end?
      There will only be a short extension date for when the Premier League ends despite losing out on a month of time due to the World Cup.
      The final day of the season is scheduled to happen on Sunday, May 28 2023.
      Last campaign, England’s top tier division concluded on Sunday, May 22 2022. More

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      Sepp Blatter claims Qatar World Cup is a ‘MISTAKE’ and reveals who should have hosted 2022 tournament

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      SEPP Blatter has blamed friend-turned foe Michel Platini for the “mistake” of awarding Qatar this month’s World Cup.The since-disgraced Blatter, 86, was Fifa President at the time of the 2010 twin vote for the 2018 and 2022 hosts.
      The 80,000 Lusail Iconic Stadium will host the World Cup final on December 18Credit: Getty
      Qatar 2022 organisers have been criticised over the treatment of workers preparing for the World CupCredit: John Beck – Commissioned by The Sunday Times
      Blatter has never hidden his claims that he initially voted for Australia before switching to the USA for the second round of the 2022 vote, as part of his ambition of awarding consecutive hosting rights to the three grand powers of Russia, America and China.
      And now in an interview in his homeland, Swiss fixer Blatter, ousted after the FBI raids on Fifa in 2015, pinned the blame directly on ex-Uefa boss and one-time protege Platini.
      Blatter said: “The choice of Qatar was a mistake. 
      “At the time, we actually agreed in the Executive Committee that Russia should get the 2018 World Cup and the USA that of 2022. 
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      “It would have been a gesture of peace if the two long-standing political opponents had hosted the World Cup one after the other.
      “But a week before the 2010 Fifa Congress, Michel Platini called me and said our plan would no longer work.

      “He told me he had been invited to the Elysée Palace, where then French President Sarkozy had just had lunch with the Crown Prince of Qatar. 
      “Sarkozy said to Platini: ‘See what you and your colleagues from Uefa can do for Qatar when the World Cup is awarded.’
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      “I then asked him, ‘And now?’ and he replied: ‘Sepp, what would you do if your President asked you for something?’ 
      “So I couldn’t count on Platini anymore. It came out exactly like this: Thanks to Platini’s four votes and his people, the World Cup went to Qatar instead of the USA. That’s the truth.”
      Blatter, who barely concealed his anger at the decision of the then-22 man committee, added: “Qatar is too small a country. 
      “Football and the World Cup are too big for that. The choice was bad.”
      Blatter also took a dig at his Fifa successor, Gianni Infantino, who upped sticks from the world organisation’s base to move with his family to Doha.
      He said: “What I’m wondering: why is the new Fifa president living in Qatar? 
      “He can’t be the head of the local World Cup organisation. That’s not his job. 
      “The Fifa President should have the ultimate supervision. 
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      “For example, there is a proposal to set up a fund for the deceased workers and the bereaved. 
      “Qatar says no. What should Fifa say if their president is in the same boat as Qatar?” More