World Cup

ENGLAND players are awaiting their World Cup call-up fates with Gareth Southgate days away from naming his squad.Gabriel Magalhaes did not make the cut for Brazil, with the likes of Bremer, Thiago Silva and Dani Alves in the squad.
Gabriel’s Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli, however, did make the cut and will feature for the Brazilians in Qatar.
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s Reece James is targeting a call-up for the Three Lions squad despite currently being out of action with an injury.
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead of the tournament…
Bale golf World Cup ban
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.
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.
“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.”
EXCLUSIVE: James’ World Cup dream OVER
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.
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.
“It is devastating news for Reece because he believed he would be OK.”
White backed for World Cup role
England legend Alan Shearer has name dropped Arsenal’s Ben White as a right-back option for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate has a selection headache in the full-back department.
Reece James and Kyle Walker are racing back to be fit.
On the left-hand side Ben Chilwell has been ruled out, and Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t trusted.
That leaves the door open for White, who is enjoying a good campaign with Arsenal.
Shearer told The Athletic: “It’s not just about questionable fitness — it’s about form, too.
“With Walker, it’s fitness. With Harry Maguire, it’s form and a lack of game time — one start in the league for Manchester United since August.
“It’s form for Eric Dier, Luke Shaw, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Kieran Trippier must be one of the first defenders on the team sheet at the moment, while Ben White is full of belief at Arsenal, but there are some big calls to be made here.”
Firmino on Brazil World Cup squad
Liverpool ace Roberto Firmino has opened up on his disappointment with missing out on Brazil’s World Cup squad.
He said: “Passing by to say thank you for all the lovely messages.
“The World Cup is a dream for every player and with me it wouldn’t be any different.
“Yesterday things didn’t go the way I imagined or dreamed for my life but I can look back and have a grateful heart to God that he has already allowed me to live that dream as well as so many others. You, Lord, will keep in perfect peace him whose purpose is firm, because he trusts in you.
“(Isaiah 26:3) I take this opportunity here to pay my respect and congratulate all the summoned. It was, is, and will always be an honour to defend my country especially with the gift the Lord gave me. I stay here confident that God has the best for me and hoping that hexa comes.
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) #Jesusisenough.”
Mane a World Cup injury doubt
Sadio Mane is a doubt for the World Cup after limping off injured playing for Bayern Munich.
Just 13 days out from Senegal’s first match in Qatar, the striker limped off around 20 minutes into his side’s match with Werder Bremen.
The former Liverpool player sat down on the turf with an apparent problem 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.

Carragher names England squad
Ex-Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has named who he would take to Qatar for the World Cup this month.
Carragher’s 26-man squad:
Goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope.
Defenders – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben White, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw.
Midfielders – Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips.
Forwards – Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish.
Mexico missing main man
Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona will miss the World Cup due to an ankle injury, in a major blow to Mexico.
An official statement reads: “The Directorate of Men’s National Teams informs, after the pertinent communication between Gerardo Martino, Technical Director of the SNM and Jesús Manuel Corona, that the player will not be able to be integrated into the concentration of the Mexican National Team heading to the World Cup Qatar 2022.
“The above, due to the fact that his recovery process has not been completed, after the injury suffered in August of this year.
“The National Team will continue to monitor his evolution, hoping that Jesus will have a successful and soon return to the courts.”
Johnson on Maguire’s England chances
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has told Manchester United captain Harry Maguire that he should not be picked for England at the Qatar World Cup in a devastating blow.
The Three Lions’ first match of the tournament takes place on November 21 and Maguire is expected to be selected.
However, his form, as well as time on Erik ten Hag’s bench, should see him be snubbed at the World Cup, according to ex-England full-back Johnson.
He told BookiesBonuses.com: “As a neutral, I think if a player can’t get into his club team, then how can he be good enough for England? That’s what I’d be thinking.
“I know it’s United and they’ve got a good squad, but if Harry Maguire is classed as one of our best centre-halves and he can’t get into his club team, then I think we’ve got a problem.”
Reece James injury update
Reece James has been told he could be fit in three weeks – leaving England boss Gareth Southgate with a massive selection dilemma.
Chelsea defender James is recovering from a knee injury and Southgate names a 26-man squad for the World Cup in just 48 hours.
James is refusing to give up on his dream of joining them in Qatar and has spoken to specialists who believe he could be ready to play by the end of the month.
England face Wales in their third and final Group B game on November 29 and are hopeful of progressing to the first knockout round and beyond.
Fullback James, 22, was in blistering form for Chelsea prior to getting hurt and was Southgate’s first-choice right-back for the tournament.
The England head coach must now decide whether to take a huge gamble and include James in the tour party heading to the desert.
Messi set for World Cup glory?
Argentina are set to win the Qatar World Cup, according to simmed matches on FIFA 23.
This method correctly predicted the winners in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
That would mean Lionel Messi would win the one trophy that has eluded him in his glittering career.
Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany.

Gabriel shares heart-warming message from pal 
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.
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.
Alexander-Arnold hasn’t been ‘taught’ properly
Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t been “taught” properly in the art of defending, according to ex-England and Premier League manager Sam Allardyce.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast on Alexander-Arnold heading to the World Cup with the Three Lions, Allardyce said: “If they’re all fit I have to go with how they’re playing now.
“Trent isn’t playing great. I love him, he’s an unbelievable footballer, but nobody has taught him how to defend, I’ve said that before.
“It’s not as important as it was in our day, in our day it was the most important thing, but now it’s secondary.”

Blatter blames Platini for Qatar World Cup
Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has blamed Michel Platini for Qatar winning the bid to host the World Cup.
Qatar was awarded the tournament in 2010, hosting the next World Cup after Russia 2018.
But in recent years, Qatar has come under intense pressure in recent years for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws. 
Blatter, 86, told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger: “It is too small of a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for it.”
He continued: “It was a bad choice and I was responsible for that as president at the time.
“Thanks to the four votes of Platini and his [Uefa] team, the World Cup went to Qatar rather than the United States. It’s the truth.”
Cunha’s to Brazil World Cup omission
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.
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.

Shearer’s England team
England and Premier League legend Alan Shearer has named his Three Lions team for the upcoming World Cup.
Shearer is also coy on Manchester United captain Harry Maguire starting.
Shearer in The Athletic: “It’s not just about questionable fitness – it’s about form, too… with Harry Maguire it’s form and a lack of game time – one start in the league for Manchester United since August.
“Maguire has barely been playing, while his performance in England’s 3-3 draw with Germany in the Nations League draw back in September hardly inspired confidence.
“Picking him in your starting XI would represent a huge gamble, but the problem is that Maguire is not an isolated example.
“There is a wider feeling of rustiness and insecurity. I suspect Gareth will go with three at the back. I wouldn’t; I’d go with four.”
Alan Shearer’s World Cup squad: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale; Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben White, Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, John Stones; Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Mason Mount, James Maddison, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, James Ward-Prowse; Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Callum Wilson, Tammy Abraham, Marcus Rashford.

Southgate heaps praise on USA poster boy
England manager Gareth Southgate has heaped praise on World Cup group rivals USA’s poster boy Christian Pulisic.
The 24-year-old is struggling to stamp down a regular spot in the Chelsea team, however, Southgate won’t take him lightly.
Southgate told ESPN: “Of course, he’s had two or three coaches to deal with so I think there’s been moments where he’s looked like he’s on his way, he’s flowing and he’s got a coach that believes in him and he’s had to deal then with setbacks with injury.
“He would probably feel he hasn’t got quite to where he wants to get to yet, I’d imagine, but he’s a very good player and is a player when you’re looking at the opposition teamsheet, he’s someone you’ve got to be aware of and got to be ready for.”
England play USA on November 25.
Spurs title contenders under Conte
Antonio Conte is “definitely the man” to end Tottenham’s 14-year trophy drought and turn them into Premier League title contenders.
That is according to ex-Spurs ace Pascal Chimbonda who insists Conte can lead the club to its first piece of silverware since 2008, when the Frenchman was still playing and won the League Cup.
Speaking to Lord PIng, Chimbonda said: “Conte is definitely the man to help the club end its trophy drought, and I think he will want to win something within the next couple of seasons.
“He has had a massive impact on the squad since joining Tottenham and has improved the performances of so many players, who believe in what he is doing.
“I think he can absolutely win a trophy with the club. Spurs can challenge for the title in the next couple of seasons. Look at what Arsenal are doing this season, there is no reason why Spurs can’t challenge.”
Messi is the GOAT – Neville
Inter Miami boss Phil Neville has been drawn on which footballer he thinks is the greatest of all time – and named Lionel Messi.
Neville’s MLS club are reportedly ‘confident’ of sealing a deal for the Paris Saint-Germain superstar when his contract expires next year.
Neville was coy on that prospect, but said: “I think that’s hypothetical really.
“The best player in the world… I’m looking forward to seeing him play at the World Cup, alongside other great players.”
Garner on joining Everton motivation
James Garner has opened up on why he left Manchester United to join Everton this summer.
The England Under-21 central midfielder, 21, told The Times: “In the moment it is very disappointing.
“That was the club that I trained with five times a week for years and years and years, that I made my debut with.
“But I didn’t want to stagnate. I didn’t want to stay there really and when they said I could leave also, I was in agreement with that. I just think it all made sense.
“I had two good seasons on loan and returned to United in the summer. I know in myself I wouldn’t have played if I had stayed.”
Supercomputer predicts a Spursy outcome
They are currently fourth in the Prem and many feel they will be in the title hunt in the spring – but a supercomputer predicts Spurs will just miss out on the Champions League places this season.
According to MyBettingSites, Harry Kane-inspired Tottenham will end up fifth, just behind streaky Manchester United and just ahead of in-form Newcastle.
Arsenal ‘don’t need January signings’
Arsenal do not need any new recruits to prop up their Prem title bid, according to ex-Gunner Lauren.
The retired right-back, 45, who played 159 games for the club, is among the many who have been impressed by Mikel Arteta’s league-leaders’ start to the season.
He told 888sport: “Arsenal have to keep believing in what they’re doing, because so far they’ve been brilliant.
“And they have to keep believing in their squad because rather than bringing in other players.
“I would prefer the club kept their confidence in the team – not thinking about who to sign in January.”
Keane visits Solskjaer in Norway
Roy Keane popped over to see fellow Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Norway.
Solskjaer was sacked as United manager 12 months ago and is enjoying football again as gaffer of his son’s Under-14s team back in his hometown of Kristiansund.
Sky Sports pundit Keane went to watch one of their recent training sessions, according to Nettavisen Sport.
Apparently the Irishman was even happy to pose for photos and sign autographs for fans.
Pique behind the curtain
There was an update on the soap opera that is the end of Gerard Pique’s relationship with Shakira this week.
Apparently the beautiful Colombian pop star is set to move to Miami next year with their two sons as part of an agreement thrashed out between her and the ex-Manchester Unit star’s lawyers.
Pique, who has just retired from football with Barcelona, is said to have ceded to Shakira’s wishes to avoid an ugly court divorce battle.
Solskjaer managing youths in Norway
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is back in his native Norway and managing a youth football team.
The Manchester United legend was sacked as their manager 12 months ago.
Apparently he has turned down offers of a return to management in the pro game and does not want to rush back, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Instead he is enjoying football again as gaffer of his son’s Under-14s team back home in Kristiansund.
Chelsea get Leao chase boost
Chelsea’s hopes of signing AC Milan star Rafael Leao have had a shot in the arm after he reportedly demanded club-record wages to stay with the Italian giants.
The striker, whose deal runs out in 2024, is being tracked by most of Europe’s top clubs, including Graham Potter’s Blues.
Milan are said to want to tie him down on a new long-term contract but Sky Italia report he wants a wage increase from about £7.8million to £8.7m a year – which they have never paid a player before.
That could pave the way for an exit, which will put his many suitors on alert.
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