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      World Cup 2022 squads CONFIRMED: Jesus and Martinelli make Brazil cut while Mane RULED OUT for Senegal

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      SOME of football’s most talented superstars are set to go up against each other THIS MONTH at the Qatar World Cup – but that’s if they are selected.Winter’s blockbuster event is edging closer with the opener scheduled to get underway on Sunday, November 20.
      Japan were the first side to announce their World Cup squadCredit: Getty
      But all eyes will be on the managers beforehand as they rack their brains to select their squads for the huge tournament in Qatar.
      Japanese head coach Hajime Moriyasu wasted no time by becoming the first manager to name his full team.
      And Brazilian boss Tite has followed suit but his selection has raised a lot of eyebrows.
      Find out more info on the World Cup squads below…
      When is the deadline for the World Cup squads?
      Managers had until Friday, October 21 to submit their 55-player release list to FIFA.
      Read more on World Cup
      However, FIFA have given managers up until Monday, November 14 to decide on their final 26-player squad.
      And once confirmed, each final listing will be made public before the World Cup begins.
      Given the possibility of Covid-19 or injuries, each team is able to replace affected players up to 24 hours before their first encounter but they have to be selected from the initial 55-man list.
      What are the confirmed World Cup squads?
      Australia
      Experienced central defender Trent Sainsbury was a surprise omission while wonderkid Garang Kuol and former Scotland international Jason Cummings have been called up.
      Australia have a tough opener scheduled against World champions FranceCredit: Reuters
      Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Danny Vukovic, Andrew Redmayne
      Defenders: Harry Souttar, Milos Degenek, Bailey Wright, Thomas Deng, Fran Karacic, Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Kye Rowles, Joel King
      Midfielders: Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Cameron Devlin, Riley McGree, Keanu Baccus
      Forwards: Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Jason Cummings, Garang Kuol, Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Craig Goodwin, Martin Boyle
      Brazil
      Arsenal’s attacking duo Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli were both selected for the Brazilian squad.
      However, their defensive teammate Gabriel Magalhaes has been left out and so has Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino.
      Brazil come up against Serbia in their World Cup openerCredit: AFP
      Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton
      Defenders: Bremer, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, Danilo, Dani Alves
      Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Everton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta
      Forwards: Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Raphinha, Richarlison, Pedro, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
      Costa Rica
      Paris Saint-Germain veteran Keylor Navas makes the cut and so has former Arsenal forward Joel Campbell.
      Costa Rica are scheduled to face Spain in their first World Cup match this monthCredit: AFP
      Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Esteban Alvarado, Patrick Sequeira
      Defenders: Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Kendall Waston, Oscar Duarte, Daniel Chacon, Keysher Fuller, Carlos Martinez, Bryan Oviedo, Ronald Matarrita
      Midfielders: Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges, Youstin Salas, Roan Wilson, Gerson Torres, Douglas Lopez, Jewisson Bennette, Alvaro Zamora, Anthony Hernandez, Brandon Aguilera, Bryan Ruiz
      Forwards: Joel Campbell, Anthony Contreras, Johan Venegas
      Croatia
      Midfield veteran Luka Modric, Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovcic and Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic will all be on the plane to Qatar.
      But Rangers’ Antonio Mirko Olak was cut from the preliminary squad.
      Croatia got the semi-final in the 2018 World CupCredit: EPA
      Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivica Ivusic, Ivo Grbic
      Defenders: Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, Borna Barisic, Josip Juranovic, Josko Gvardiol, Borna Sosa, Josip Stanisic, Martin Erlic, Josip Sutalo
      Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Lovro Majer, Kristijan Jakic, Luka Sucic
      Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic, Mislav Orsic, Ante Budimir, Marko Livaja
      Denmark
      Christian Eriksen has been named in Denmark’s squad 17 months after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
      Denmark kick off their World Cup campaign against TunisiaCredit: Reuters
      Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel, Oliver Christensen
      Defenders: Simon Kjaer, Joachim Andersen, Joakim Maehle, Andreas Christensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Jens Stryger Larsen, Victor Nelsson, Daniel Wass
      Midfielders: Thomas Delaney, Mathias Jensen, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
      Forwards: Andreas Skov Olsen, Jesper Lindstrom, Andreas Cornelius, Martin Braithwaite, Kasper Dolberg, Mikkel Damsgaard, Jonas Wind
      Japan
      Arsenal ace Takehiro Tomiyasu has been selected while Celtic stars Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate failed to make the cut.
      Japan will take on Germany in their opening World Cup matchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
      Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida, Hiroki Sakai, Shogo Taniguchi, Miki Yamane, Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito
      Midfielders: Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma, Kaoru Mitoma, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Takefusa Kubo
      Forwards: Takuma Asano, Daizen Maeda, Ayase Ueda, Shuto Machino
      Senegal
      Chelsea duo Eduoard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly have both made the cut for Senegal.
      But the AFCON champions are reportedly set to be without talisman Sadio Mane who sustained a tendon injury against Werder Bremen.
      Senegal will be looking for more international glory after winning AFCON in FebruaryCredit: AP
      Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Alfred Gomis, Seny Diang
      Defenders: Bouna Sarr, Saliou Ciss, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Abou Cisse, Abdou Diallo, Ibrahima Mbaye, Abdoulaye Seck, Fode Ballo Toure, Cheikhou Kouyate
      Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Moustapha Name, M. Loum Ndiaye, Joseph Lopy
      Forwards: Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Bamba Dieng, Keita Balde, Habib Diallo, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, Mame Babe Thiam
      Switzerland
      Granit Xhaka will captain the Swiss team as they go for glory in Qatar and he’ll be joined by former Liverpool attacker Xherdan Shaqiri.
      Switzerland open their World Cup campaign with a fixture against CameroonCredit: EPA
      Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Philipp Kohn, Jonas Omlin, Yann Sommer
      Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar, Silvan Widmer
      Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Edimilson Fernandes, Fabian Frei, Remo Freuler, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder, Xherdan Shaqiri, Djibril Sow, Renato Steffen, Denis Zakaria, Michel Aebischer
      Forwards: Breel Embolo, Christian Fassnacht, Noah Okafor, Haris Seferovic, Ruben Vargas More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo keen to play until he’s 40 but he will RETIRE as soon as body slows down, claims Portugal manager

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO will play until he’s 40 – but will retire as soon as his body slows down, according to Portugal boss Fernando Santos.The Manchester United star, 37, has dominated headlines over recent months as he looked to force a move away from Old Trafford before his now infamous refusal to appear as sub against Tottenham.
      Cristiano Ronaldo will play into his 40s if his physical levels don’t dropCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
      Cristiano Ronaldo has been angling for a move away from Man UtdCredit: AP
      However, Santos has revealed Ronaldo will keep on playing until his physical level finally drops.
      In 2020, Santos told TVI24: “Cristiano is ready to play until he’s 40, but he doesn’t know if it will happen.
      “At some point he may feel that he no longer has the same conditions.
      “He’s not a player who will lower his level, when he feels like he can’t be Ronaldo, he won’t.”
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      Ronaldo was surprisingly handed the armband as the Red Devils slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Villa Park on Sunday.
      He has started each of United’s last four games but it appears Erik ten Hag is happy to let him leave at the beginning of next year.
      A report this week has also claimed that a return to Sporting Lisbon could be on the cards.
      The veteran is also preparing for what will most-likely be his last World Cup with Portugal this month.
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      But one thing is for certain, Ronaldo is not planning to retire any time soon – and his incredibly detailed fitness regime makes that all possible.
      In 2020, Ronaldo revealed his desire to play until he’s 40 after celebrating his 35th birthday.
      Quizzed on how long he can keep going, the Portuguese icon told Marca: “Much will depend on what I feel, on my motivation.
      “Physically it will never be a problem.
      “I am treating myself well and I think can play safely up to 40 years.
      “The most important factor, honestly, will be more psychological – that will be the one that makes the difference.
      “In any case, everything has a beginning and an end. I won’t last a lifetime but I still feel strong enough to continue winning. I will stop if I have no incentives.” More

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      Sadio Mane ‘ruled OUT of World Cup 2022 after Senegal star suffers tendon injury in Bayern’s clash vs Werder Bremen’

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      BAYERN MUNICH star Sadio Mane is reportedly out of the World Cup after limping off with an injury against Werder Bremen on Tuesday.Mane went down and received medical attention on the pitch before being taken off.
      Sadio Mane was forced off with the injury during Bayern Munich’s match against Werder BremenCredit: Getty
      According to L’Equipe the former Liverpool forward has picked up a knee injury after damaging his tendon and is set to spend several weeks on the treatment table.
      A Bayern statement read: “Sadio Mané has picked up an injury and he won’t be available for game against Schalke.
      “Further tests will follow in the next few days — Bayern is in contact with the medical team of Senegalese Football Association”.
      Speaking after the game, Bayern assistant coach Dino Toppmoller looked to play down the severity of the injury.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      He said Mane suffered a slight nerve pinch but it wasn’t too serious and his World Cup shouldn’t be at risk.
      However Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann confirmed after the match that the winger will “have an x-ray”.
      Nagelsmann said: “I didn’t see him [Mane] after the game, I hope it’s not a big injury.
      “But I don’t know at the moment. We’ll see tomorrow and then give an update.”
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      Mane looks set to join a host of star names who won’t be taking part at the tournament.
      Just for England, Reece James is a major doubt and Ben Chilwell, Kalvin Phillips and Emile Smith Rowe definitely aren’t going.
      N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba miss out for France, While Timo Werner of Germany and Diogo Jota of Portugal are among those who are sidelined.
      It is a huge blow for Senegal who are in World Cup Group A and could face England in the second round.
      They start their campaign against the Netherlands on November 21.
      Host nation Qatar will be next up on November 25 before their final group game against Ecuador. More

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      Gareth Bale BANNED from playing his beloved hobby golf at the Qatar World Cup

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      GARETH BALE’S golf days are out of bounds at the World Cup.Wales boss Robert Page swung by Doha Golf Club during a Qatar recce in June to tee up a round for his squad.
      Gareth Bale has been banned from playing golf in QatarCredit: Alamy Live News
      Bale celebrated winning the MLS Cup with LAFC last weekendCredit: Reuters
      The Welshman is a well-documented lover of golfCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But Page says 18 holes in their downtime is off limits due to the demands the finals will bring for golf nut Bale and his team-mates.
      Page said: “We had a round of golf planned. I went to the Doha club, it’s run by a British lad. He said, ‘I’ll book you a time’.
      “But it gets dark at four o’clock. We looked at it but there are other functions we might have to do, so we will probably not get the chance to do it.”
      When asked if Page had told captain Bale, he laughed: “Yeah. There’s no golf. We’re out there to do a job.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      “In the past I may get Gareth, Kieffer Moore or Aaron Ramsey come up to me and say, ‘What’s the plan for tomorrow afternoon? Are there meetings?’
      “I’d say, ‘No, there’s no meetings, so if you want nine holes then go and play’.
      “But that is when you have a week building up to a double-header. Out there, we won’t have enough time. Every four days there is a game. It’s relentless.”
      Wales kick off their World Cup campaign — their first since 1958 — against the USA on November 21, followed by group matches with Iran and England.

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      Bale completed his domestic season with Los Angeles FC by winning the MLS Cup last Saturday, so he will be the first on camp when Wales meet up this weekend.
      The Dragons are expected to be kept in a strict Covid bubble in Qatar — like the one imposed at last summer’s Euros.
      Page said: “We will have a bubble. In Holland in June, we had Wayne Hennessey feeling terrible and Rubin Colwill flew home the night before the game.
      “Both tested negative but if it was Covid, then it could have an impact on performance.” More

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      Chelsea star Reece James given devastating news as Gareth Southgate calls him to say England World Cup dream is OVER

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      REECE JAMES has been given the devastating news by England boss Gareth Southgate that his World Cup dream is over.Right-back James, 22, was desperate to make Southgate’s squad for Qatar despite last month’s knee injury.
      Reece James’ World Cup dream is over despite his best effortsCredit: Simon Jones
      James was injured last month during a game against AC MilanCredit: AP
      A positive scan yesterday increased the defender’s belief he could be back for the knockout stages — and James ran on grass at Chelsea’s Cobham base for the first time since his operation.
      But Southgate rang the Blues ace to deliver the bad news in person, telling him he could not afford to take a risk on his fitness.
      A source said: “Reece was confident he would be OK by the start of December.
      “But Gareth decided he could not take the gamble.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      “It is devastating news for Reece because he believed he would be OK.”
      James suffered his injury against AC Milan on October 11 and was always facing a tough race.
      Southgate names his 26-man squad for the tournament tomorrow, with England kicking off against Iran on November 21 and facing a potential second-round tie on December 4.
      Hours earlier, Chelsea manager Graham Potter revealed Blues medics had been in regular touch with England staff — although  he had not contacted Southgate directly.

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      Potter said: “Reece was outside having a jog. It is just about how he responds. We know he is pretty optimistic about it — but in this situation you need to be.”
      Yet Southgate’s decision ended all that optimism and also suggests he may have to take a similarly tough call on Manchester City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips, despite Pep Guardiola suggesting they will be available for selection after injuries.
      However, it improved the chances of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. More

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      Sadio Mane in World Cup scare as striker limps out of Bayern Munich game 13 days from Senegal’s opening game

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      SADIO MANE suffered a major World Cup scare after limping off injured playing for Bayern Munich.Just 13 days out from Senegal’s first match in Qatar, the striker was forced off around 20 minutes into his side’s match with Werder Bremen.
      Sadio Mane was forced off in the first halfCredit: Getty
      He was treated by medicsCredit: Getty
      The former Liverpool player sat down on the turf with a knock to his leg during the first half.
      He tried to continue after medical treatment but a decision was made for him to come off.
      He was replaced with Leroy Sane.
      As he left the pitch Mane appeared to be limping.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Rather than take his place on the bench the 30-year-old immediately headed down the tunnel.
      Speaking after the game, Bayern assistant coach Dino Toppmoller looked to play down the severity of the injury.
      He said Mane suffered a slight nerve pinch but it wasn’t too serious and his World Cup shouldn’t be at risk.
      However Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann confirmed after the match that the winger will “have an x-ray”.
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      The sight of Mane going off injured will be hugely worrying for Senegal who are in Group A at the World Cup.
      They start their campaign against the Netherlands on November 21.
      Host nation Qatar will be next up on November 25 before their final group game against Ecuador.
      Were Mane to miss the World Cup due to injury he would join a host of star names who won’t be taking part at the tournament.
      Just for England, Reece James is a major doubt and Ben Chilwell, Kalvin Phillips and Emile Smith Rowe definitely aren’t going.
      N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba miss out for France, While Timo Werner of Germany and Diogo Jota of Portugal are among those who are sidelined.
      Mane went straight down the tunnelCredit: Getty More

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      Gutted Arsenal defender Gabriel shares heart-warming message from pal after being left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad

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      GABRIEL MAGALHAES has shared a heart-warming message after missing out on selection for Brazil’s World Cup squad.Following his World Cup heartbreak Gabriel was sent a touching message from a pal on Instagram.
      Gabriel Magalhaes poked home the winner against Chelsea last weekendCredit: Getty
      Gabriel missed out on a Brazil World Cup spot despite his strong club formCredit: EPA
      Gabriel shared a heart-warming message on his Instagram storyCredit: @_gabrielmagalhaes
      The message, which the Arsenal star shared to his Instagram story, read: “I saw you grow up in football, brother.
      “You are the pride of our neighbourhood.”
      Gabriel has been in very strong form at club level, even poking home the winner during a dominant 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
      However, he was snubbed by Brazil boss Tite – with the 61-year-old instead opting for a host of other options.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Among the defenders who have earned a call up are Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva, Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos, Real Madrid’s Eder Militao and Juventus defender Bremer.
      Gabriel is likely to feel aggrieved that he was unable to earn a spot ahead of Bremer due to the relative success their respective club’s are having on the pitch.
      While Bremer has a sole cap for Brazil, Juventus have struggled both domestically and continentally this season, with the “Old Lady” being demoted into the Europa League and sitting fifth in the Serie A.
      Meanwhile, Gabriel has forged an indomitable partnership with William Saliba to cultivate the meanest defence in the Premier League this season – a feat that sees them sitting top of the table.
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      Compatriots Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli were both included in the Qatar Brazil team out of Arsenal’s contingent.
      However, the likes of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino were also unfortunate to miss out considering their strong club form. More

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      World Cup 2022 friendly fixtures: What international games are on BEFORE Qatar showpiece?

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      THE World Cup is nearly here and some teams are looking to get in as much preparation as possible.The last international break came at the end of September when the Nations League group stages were on.
      The 2022 World Cup takes place in Qatar and gets underway on November 20Credit: Reuters
      And with the World Cup being held in the middle of the domestic season, there hasn’t been another opportunity for international teams to prepare for the Qatar showpiece.
      So most squads will be going into the World Cup without much on-field prep whatsoever.
      But there are 19 teams at the World Cup who have opted to arrange friendlies ahead of the tournament.
      England are NOT one of those teams, with the Three Lions last game coming against Germany, who they drew 3-3 with at Wembley in the Nations League.
      Other sides not participating in friendly games are Brazil, France and the Netherlands.
      The list is as follows:

      Saudi Arabia
      Mexico
      Cameroon
      Costa Rica
      Iran
      South Korea
      Canada
      Ecuador
      Belgium
      Argentina
      Germany
      Croatia
      Poland
      Ghana
      Switzerland
      Japan
      Spain
      Portugal
      Serbia

      Each of those teams have organised friendlies to take place between Wednesday, November 9 and Friday, November 18 – two days before the World Cup starts.

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      World Cup 2022 friendly fixtures
      Wednesday, November 9

      Qatar vs Albania – 5.30pm GMT
      Mexico vs Iraq – 8pm GMT
      Cameroon vs Jamaica – 5pm GMT

      Thursday, November 10

      Costa Rica vs Nigeria – 2am GMT
      Panama vs Saudi Arabia – 12pm GMT
      Iran vs Nicaragua – 4pm GMT

      Friday, November 11

      South Korea vs Iceland – 11am GMT
      Bahrain vs Canada – 4pm GMT

      Saturday, November 12

      Iraq vs Ecuador – 5.30pm GMT

      Tuesday, November 15

      Iraq vs Belgium – TBC

      Wednesday, November 16

      UAE vs Argentina – TBC
      Oman vs Germany – 5pm GMT
      Saudi Arabia vs Croatia – 10am GMT
      Poland vs Chile – 5pm GMT

      Thursday, November 17

      Japan vs Canada – 1.40pm GMT
      Iraq vs Costa Rica – 2pm GMT
      Jordan vs Spain – 4pm GMT
      Portugal vs Nigeria – 6.45pm GMT

      Friday, November 18

      Cameroon vs Panama – 10am GMT
      Belgium vs Egypt – 3pm GMT
      Bahrain vs Serbia – 4pm GMT More