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      When will England’s 2022 World Cup squad for Qatar be announced?

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      ENGLAND will be hoping to bring the World Cup home when Gareth Southgate’s side travel to Qatar in November,The England boss is set to name his World Cup squad with plenty of time to go before the tournament starts.
      Harry Kane is one dead cert in England’s World Cup squad, if he avoids injuryCredit: Getty
      England were among the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar, but a recent horror run of results has seen the Three Lions slide down the reckoning.
      However, Harry Kane and Co would have had the perfect send off had they completed an incredible comeback against Germany.
      Here is all you need to know about when England will name their squad and what to expect…
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      What date will Gareth Southgate name England’s 2022 World Cup squad?
      The England squad for the tournament will be named on Thursday, October 20.
      This will give Southgate 30 days to prep his squad for the tournament, where they will play Iran, USA and Wales in Group B.
      England are not playing any warm-up games for the tournament, so the defeat to Italy and draw to Germany were the last matches the Three Lions played before the tournament.
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      How many players can be named in a World Cup squad?
      All 32 World Cup managers can name 23 to 26 players in their squads.
      The deadline for the World Cup squad announcements is November 13, 2022. More

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      England in right-back crisis with James and Walker crocked, Trent out of form and Southgate left with unfancied options

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has gone from being spoilt for choice at right-back to an injury crisis in the position.The England gaffer has been rocked by the news that Reece James could MISS the tournament after suffering a knee injury in the week.
      Reece James is set to see a specialist over the weekendCredit: Getty
      Kyle Walker is currently recovering from groin surgeryCredit: Reuters
      Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with an ankle problem and horrendously out of formCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      James is the third Three Lions right-back in two weeks to be struck down – following Kyle Walker and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      Manchester City star Walker had groin surgery following the 6-3 win over Manchester United at the start of the month and is a major doubt for the tournament.
      While Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold is set for two weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal – and he is horrendously out of form.
      With Southgate’s three first-choice right-backs currently out of action, there is the chance for an unexpected name to book their ticket on the plane to Qatar.
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      Alexander-Arnold is expected to recover in time for the tournament, but has come under fire for his performances this season and was left out of England’s matchday squad for the 3-3 draw with Germany last month.
      He is set to be fit for the World Cup but with James and Walker doubts, SunSport run through Southgate’s remaining options.
      Kieran Trippier
      The most experienced of those waiting in the wings, with 37 caps to his name.
      Trippier, 32, has been played at left-back by Southgate for England but right-back remains his natural position, and his impressive form for Newcastle this season only strengthens his chances.
      Kieran Trippier is the most senior of the remaining options for SouthgateCredit: Getty
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      Ben White
      The 25-year-old has been superb this season after being displaced in the heart of defence at Arsenal by William Saliba.
      Likely to be on the plane for his ability to play both positions, but White’s form at right-back is one encouraging point for Southgate in the midst of the injury crisis.
      Ben White has been brilliant at right-back for Arsenal this seasonCredit: Getty
      Kyle Walker-Peters
      Southampton ace Walker-Peters does have England experience, playing in the friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast earlier this year.
      The 25-year-old has started all nine of Southampton’s Premier League games this season, but is likely to be behind both Trippier and White in the pecking order.
      Kyle Walker-Peters is a potential optoin for SouthgateCredit: Getty
      James Justin
      Like Trippier, Justin can also play on either side of defence and has one cap to his name.
      But with Leicester suffering a torrid season so far, the 24-year-old is not approaching the World Cup in the best of form.
      James Justin has been capped by England onceCredit: Getty
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka
      An outside candidate, the Manchester United defender was tipped for an England call up before falling out of form in recent months.
      But Wan-Bissaka is now well down the pecking order at Old Trafford, playing just four minutes of action in all competitions this season.
      The 24-year-old has represented both England and DR Congo at youth level, with suggestions last year that he could snub the chance to represent the Three Lions in favour of the African nation.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka is out of favour at Manchester United and an unlikely candidateCredit: Getty More

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      What happens if teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?

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      QATAR host the 2022 World Cup in what promises to be an entertaining affair this winter.Brazil, France and England are the frontrunners to win the whole thing, with 2018 finalists Croatia are considered an outsider.
      Qatar has been hit by World Cup feverCredit: Reuters
      Gareth Southgate’s men will have to overcome Iran, the USMNT and Wales if they are to stand any chance of success, while Brazil face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in the group.
      There is a chance that teams will finish level on points in the group stages, seeing their fates decided on goal difference – but what happens if their goal difference and goals scored are identical too?
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      What happens if teams are level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?
      If teams finish level on points at the end of the group stage, the decision on who goes through will be decided as the team who scored the most goals out of those in question would progress.
      However, there is a chance that teams will finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored during the tournament in Qatar with a tight group stage expected.
      If this happens, there is a set of criteria that will be followed, with head-to-head coming into play as well as the potential of fair play points being utilised.
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      The criteria is as follows:

      Points obtained in the matches played between the teams level on point
      Goal difference in the matches played between the teams level on points
      Number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams level on points
      Fair play points in all group matches

      The fair play point deductions are as follows (only one deduction can be applied to a player in a single match):

      Yellow card: -1 point
      Indirect (second yellow) red card: -3 points
      Direct red card: -4 points
      Yellow card and later a direct red card: -5 points

      Have teams ever finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored at the World Cup?
      Teams have finished level on all three variables once in World Cup history, and it came pretty recently.
      Japan progressed ahead of Senegal despite finishing level on points and goals scored in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Senegal and Japan both finished on four points in Group H as Russia hosted the tournament with an identical goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded against each other after the criteria was followed.
      However, Japan progressed due to amassing more fair play points than the Africa nation. The Japanese saw a deduction of -4 in comparison to Senegal’s -6 points, seeing them through to the knockouts. More

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      When did Canada last qualify for the World Cup?

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      CANADA enter unfamiliar territory as they compete in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year.John Herdman’s side earned the right to play on the biggest stage of international football after qualifying.
      Alphonso Davies will be playing in his first World Cup for CanadaCredit: Getty
      Thrashing Jamaica 4-0 on the penultimate day of CONCACAF qualifying, Canada ensured that they would make it to the tournament in Qatar.
      They will now be hopeful of making it through a tough group, facing Belgium, Croatia and Morocco before the knock-out stages.
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      When did Canada last qualify for the World Cup?
      The Maple Leafs have only ever qualified for the World Cup once before reaching the finals in Qatar.
      The last time Canada played at the World Cup dates back to 1986 in MexicoCredit: Getty
      To find the last time the nation made it to the World Cup, you have to go back to 1986 as Mexico hosted the tournament 36 years ago.
      Despite qualifying unbeaten, racking up five wins and three losses, Canada had a disappointing tournament and went crashing out at the group stages with three losses.
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      They will be looking to improve on this but face a tough task in their group against highly rated Belgium and 2018 finalists Croatia as well as Morocco.
      Canada will make it consecutive World Cup appearances for the first time in their history, having already qualified for the 2026 tournament as a co-host alongside the USA and Mexico. More

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      England fans could be sent to ‘sobering up tents’ and given warning during 2022 World Cup as Qatar crack down on boozing

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      ENGLAND supporters and other nations fans will have special zones at the World Cup to sober up.Alcohol will move from just hotel bars in Qatar to fan zones and will also be sold outside stadiums during the tournament.
      England fans could be moved to ‘sobering tents’ at the World Cup in QatarCredit: Alamy
      The Middle East nation is a predominantly Muslim country which has restricted public drinking laws.
      Now it has been decided that authorities will control public drunkenness at the World Cup by having an alternative to arrests or jail time for those fans that have one too many.
      Qatar’s World Cup chief Nasser Al Khater told Sky News: “There are plans in place for people to sober up if they’ve been drinking excessively.
      “It’s a place to make sure that they keep themselves safe, they’re not harmful to anybody else.”
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      It has also been reported elsewhere that individuals that end up in the “sobering tent” will have to remain there until they are judged to be OK to be released with a warning.
      Fans heading to Qatar will be able to drink for up to 19 HOURS a day a the official fan festival.
      There will also be a fan zone curated by Arcadia, hosts of the spectacular arena which features at the Glastonbury Festival.
      But a pint won’t come cheap – with a beer expected to cost £8.

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      Drinking at the tournament has not been the only major issue dominating the headlines.
      And when quizzed on anti-LGBTQIA+ laws within Qatar, Al Khater insisted that gay supporters are able to hold hands throughout the showpiece – which runs from November 20 to December 18.
      He was adamant that no gay persons would be discriminated against in this respect. 
      Same-sex partnerships are not recognised in Qatar and are punishable by law in some cases.
      Al Khater added: “All we ask is for people to be respectful of the culture.
      “At the end of the day, as long as you don’t do anything that harms other people, if you’re not destroying public property, as long as you’re behaving in a way that’s not harmful, then everybody’s welcome and you have nothing to worry about.”
      Another issue for fans to watch out for is taking their tops off.
      Those who strip off have been warned they face being slapped with a hefty fine.
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      England will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
      They then take on USA on November 25 before their final group clash with Wales four days later. More

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      Who is Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan and is he from Croatia?

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      CANADA goalkeeper Milan Borjan has been a constant in the national side for over a decade now.With the Canadians only playing at one World Cup in their history, the 2022 tournament marks the second occasion that they participate in the competition.
      Milan Borjan celebrates for Red Star Belgrade in Europa League actionCredit: Reuters
      Englishman John Herdman led his side to qualification after joining in 2018 after a successful seven years with the Canada women’s team.
      And Herdman will look to his experienced goalkeeper to lead Canada as they face Belgium, Croatia and Morocco in Group F.
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      Who is Milan Borjan and is he from Croatia?
      Matchday two of the tournament will hold significant relevance to Borjan as Canada take on Croatia to battle for a place in the round of 16 in Qatar.
      The 34-year-old made his debut for Canada back in 2011, initially receiving a call-up to the national team in 2010 and being a staple of Canucks ever since.
      Milan Borjan receives medical attention for Canada against UruguayCredit: Reuters
      However, Borjan was in fact born in Croatia, Canada’s Group F opponents.
      Born in Knin, the goalkeeper began playing with Dinara Knin’s youth side before his family fled to Belgrade in Serbia. From here, Borjan’s talents were spotted as he played for FK Radnicki Beograd.
      Once again, his family relocated as they emigrated to Canada in 2000, with the goalkeeper just 13-years-old.
      Milan Borjan has come up against opponents such as Liverpool’s Mohamed SalahCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Living in Canada, Borjan played for East Hamilton SC before moving to Mount Hamilton SC as a youngster and searching for his break in professional football.
      After being rejected by Boca Juniors after a trial in Argentina in 2005, Borjan joined Club Nacional in Uruguay, playing for their youth team a year later.
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      His first professional contract came with another South American side, Quilmes in Argentina, but he was only at the club for a matter of months before returning to Serbia to join FK Rad, where he first earned a national call-up for Canada rather than his country of birth, Croatia.
      The goalkeeper enjoyed a spell at Turkish side Sivasspor, as well as Ludogrets, and currently ply’s his trade in Serbia at Red Star Belgrade where he has played in the UEFA Champions League.
      The World Cup will be the highest level that the shot-stopper has played at, with the Canada international looking to make history in what could be his first and only tournament. More

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      Chelsea star Reece James could MISS World Cup as scans show injury worse than feared with decision to make over surgery

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      REECE JAMES is reportedly in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup due to the knee injury he sustained in Chelsea’s win at AC Milan.He went down twice at the San Siro on Tuesday until he was substituted on 62 minutes.
      Reece James is reportedly a doubt to make the World Cup after his injury against MilanCredit: Rex
      The star suffered a knee injury and it’s worse than first fearedCredit: AP
      That left both Blues and Three Lions fans anxiously waiting to find out the extent of the damage.
      Both the player and Chelsea believed that the blow was nothing serious at first.
      The versatile full-back even joined his team-mates on the pitch after the final whistle and then stayed in Milan on Wednesday before returning home on an easyJet flight rather than head straight for medical tests.
      However, Football.London now claim that James is understood to have undergone further scans yesterday.
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      And they have revealed that the extent of the injury is worse than initially hoped. 
      Chelsea medical chiefs are reportedly deciding whether the 22-year-old requires surgery.
      And that will be just as much of a worry for Blues boss Graham Potter as it is for England manager Gareth Southgate.
      In his press conference on Friday, Potter said: “He is due to see a specialist over the weekend. Until we get that, there’s not too much I can add. 

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      “It would be speculation on my perspective. Let’s wait and see. He felt not too bad yesterday but until you get these things checked, you never know.”
      The World cup kicks-off in Qatar in just over a month’s time.
      Now his place in the Three Lions squad appears to be under serious threat.
      England will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21.
      They then take on USA on November 25 before their final group clash with Wales four days later.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea have a bumper month of action before domestic football breaks up for the showpiece in Qatar.
      They have Premier League games with Aston Villa, Brentford, Manchester United, Brighton, Arsenal and Newcastle before the tournament.
      They also have final Champions League group games with Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb as well as a League Cup showdown with Manchester City. More

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      Why is Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry coaching Belgium and does he manage a club side?

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      THIERRY HENRY would never have imagined that he would be associated with a team nicknamed ‘the Red Devils’ but thankfully for Arsenal fans, their legend is coaching Belgium rather than Manchester United. The Arsenal legend has made his desires clear as he wishes to become a head coach himself after learning under the likes of Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola during his playing career.
      Thierry Henry and Belgium boss Roberto MartinezCredit: Reuters
      However, for now, he holds the role as second assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.
      But why is the Frenchman part of the coaching team and does he manage a club side? We have all the answers.
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      Why is Thierry Henry coaching Belgium?
      Embarking on his coaching journey with Arsenal’s youth teams back in 2015, he was later offered the job of under-18’s coach but this decision was overruled by Wenger, wanting a full-time coach for the side rather than Henry, who wished to continue on a part-time basis alongside working for Sky Sports.
      This led the Frenchman to look for roles elsewhere before joining Martinez’s backroom staff at Belgium and remained part of the team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, helping the European giants finish third.
      Thierry Henry and Graeme Souness working for Sky Sports TelevisionCredit: Getty
      Does Thierry Henry coach a club side?
      Henry’s first club role came in October 2018 after speculation surrounding the Bourdeaux job in his home country, but declined this opportunity and took the reigns at his former club Monaco instead.
      However, the manager was dismissed from his role in France while his side were 19th in Ligue 1 with a four wins, five draws and 11 defeats from 20 matches.
      Thierry Henry took charge of MonacoCredit: Reuters
      10 months later, Henry embarked on his second spell in club management after being appointed at Montreal Impact, returning to the MLS for the first time since playing for New York Red Bulls between 2010 and 2014.
      Henry’s time in Canada was more successful than his stint at Monaco, leading his Montreal Impact team to their first play-off finish in four seasons. However, he stepped down in February 2021 to be closer to his children in London, having been unable to travel to see them for the whole of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Two months later, Henry re-joined the coaching staff of Belgium ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020.
      Thierry Henry’s most recent managerial role was at Montreal ImpactCredit: Reuters
      Is Thierry Henry looking to return to club management?
      The Belgium coach has recently confirmed his intentions to return to club management, stating: “Yes, I would like to think so, maybe. I turned some down because I want to see it through with Belgium and not leave them on the way to the World Cup, because, you know, it’s a weird one to leave.
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      “I just want to go back and help, especially with the youngsters. After that (Monaco) I went to Montreal. People will say that’s not very glamorous, but it’s not about that.
      “It’s about me getting better and also, the best relationships I’ve had at those teams so far is with the youngsters.”
      Therefore, it looks like we could see Henry return to management in the near future. More