World Cup

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Fuming France boss Didier Deschamps confirms Benzema WON’T play in World Cup final as he lashes out at reporter

      by

      FRANCE manager Didier Deschamps has hit out at a reporter while confirming that Karim Benzema will NOT play in the World Cup final.Les Bleus are set to take on Argentina tomorrow in the showpiece and the Real Madrid striker won’t make a surprise appearance.
      Didier Deschamps lashed out at a reporter for asking about Karim BenzemaCredit: Getty
      Karim Benzema will not play in the World Cup finalCredit: AFP
      The 34-year-old was named in the France squad but injured his thigh prior to the start of the tournament and was sent home.
      It has now emerged that he is back training with his club fuelling speculation he could return to Qatar for the final.
      Deschamps dismissed these rumours angrily after being repeatedly asked about Benzema and where he’d be watching the final, saying: “Are you spreading the word among foreign journalists?
      “If I don’t answer, you’ll say I’m p***ed off. 
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      “Some players have been injured and Karim Benzema is one of them and Lucas Hernandez got injured in the first game. 
      “From that point on, I have 24 players in my squad and they are the ones at my disposal, so I don’t think it is fair to those players to ask about players who aren’t here.
      “It is not up to me to decide who comes to watch the game, former players or injured players, I focus on my squad and the players at my disposal. 
      “We have lost three – Christopher Nkunku, Benzema and Hernandez. I lost them even though they were in the squad to begin with. 
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      “So now I am focusing on my 24-man squad and they are the ones I will have at my disposal tomorrow.”
      It is not the first time the manager, who is looking to win the World Cup twice in a row, has been frustrated by questions relating to Benzema.
      Earlier this week, with a sigh and a smirk, Deschamps responded to another journalist asking about the Ballon d’Or winner, saying: “I don’t really want to answer that question. Next question. I do apologise.”
      There has been speculation that Benzema is angry due to him not being allowed to return to France’s camp despite seemingly being fit.
      The French could do with extra numbers amid reports that there is a sickness bug spreading around the team – it kept Adrien Rabiot out of the semi-final. More

    • 125 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Where is the next World Cup being held in 2026?

      by

      THE 2022 World Cup has proved to be an entertaining affair, with fans around the world already looking to the next tournament.England bowed out in the quarter-finals, losing 2-1 to France in an unlucky encounter.
      England crashed out in Qatar at the quarter-final stageCredit: PA
      The Three Lions will be hoping to go further when they take to the pitch in 2026, with what could be a new look squad.
      Although the World Cup is four years away, we have all the details on the next tournament.
      read more football
      Where is the next World Cup being held in 2026?
      The 2026 World Cup will return to the usual schedule, kicking off in the summer.
      This comes after Qatar’s edition in 2022 was played in the winter to avoid the heat of the Middle East summers.
      However, the tournament will be the first of its kind, the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32.
      The USMNT will be hoping to go far in the 2026 World CupCredit: Getty
      These 48 teams will come from six different confederations in a larger tournament than before.
      Morocco were beaten in the final vote to decide where the tournament would be held and it is the first since 2002 to be held by multiple countries.
      The 23rd edition of the tournament will be hosted by 16 cities jointly as the USA, Mexico and Canada will be the host countries.
      Most read in Sport More

    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Furious Premier League chiefs slam Fifa Club World Cup plan and say it could scupper TWO SEASONS

      by

      PREM chiefs fear Fifa’s Club World Cup plan could scupper TWO successive seasons.Fifa boss Gianni Infantino signalled he is open to another winter World Cup, potentially as soon as 2030, when Saudi Arabia are increasingly confident of landing the big prize.
      Gianni Infantino’s plans for the Club World Cup have been blasted as “unacceptable”Credit: Getty
      That would require another six-week mid-season break for domestic football, either in the November-December period utilised in Qatar or at the start of the year.
      But the launch of the 32-team Club World Cup, which will feature potentially four or more Prem sides out of the 16 European competitors, has caused more concerns.

      It is expected that Fifa will hold the first version of the new tournament, in 2025, as a test event for the following year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
      That will become the norm and so a Saudi World Cup in 2030 would also mean a Saudi Club World Cup the previous year.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      And if the Big Six were all involved in a tournament that would last at least three weeks, it would leave a huge hole in the Prem fixtures calendar.
      One Prem insider said: “The lack of consultation by Fifa was really unacceptable.
      “This plan wasn’t even on the original agenda for the Fifa Council meeting and it looked as if it was a reaction to the European Court ruling that spelled the end of Super League.
      “But if there was a winter Club World Cup as well, that would be an outrage.”
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      Jamie Carragher added his voice to the discontent regarding the announcement.
      The Liverpool legend fumed: “Like the ridiculous idea of the @FIFAWorldCup every two years, this is another one from Infantino.
      “Players need rest at some point, they are getting treated like cattle.
      “Fifa hate the Champions League and want something similar themselves. 
      “European clubs should boycott it.”
      It has been suggested that Super League chief plotters Real Madrid have been promised as much as £50m per year for four seasons for signing up to the Club World Cup.
      Other major European years have winter breaks of varying lengths, allowing space to reschedule games for clubs involved in the new event.
      But the Prem schedule is based on 34 weekend dates and that will be hard to fit in if the big revenue drivers are overseas for a lengthy part of the campaign. More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Secret to stopping Lionel Messi revealed by the only man to beat Argentina at World Cup 2022

      by

      SAUDI ARABIA boss Herve Renard reckons he knows how to stop Lionel Messi.Renard’s men are the only team beat the South American champions at the World Cup after their stunning 2-1 victory last month.
      Lionel Messi has been exceptional form at the World CupCredit: Getty
      But Saudi Arabia are the only team to beat Messi and CoCredit: Alamy
      Messi scored the opener in that game, but two quickfire goals from the Saudis saw them produce one of the biggest tournament shocks ever.
      Perhaps more impressively, they managed to keep the PSG star quiet with his early penalty his only real contribution of note.
      But since that defeat, Messi has been playing football from another planet and heads into Sunday’s final against France in scintillating form.
      In total, the 35-year-old has scored five goals and laid on three assists in his five outings in Qatar.
      read more on world cup
      And he’s already scored in EVERY knockout game.
      But Saudi boss Renard thinks he knows the secret to stopping Messi.
      He told L’Equipe: “To stop Messi, you have to put pressure on his most important link, De Paul.
      “You must keep Messi 35-40 meters away from the goal and prevent him from holding the ball comfortably.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS FOR DECEMBER 2022
      “France did it with Matuidi in 2018.
      “Now he can do it with Rabiot and Tchouameni too.” More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      France fitness boost as ALL players struggling with virus return to training ahead of World Cup final vs Argentina

      by

      ALL France’s players are back in training after a huge illness and injury scare ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina.Virus victims Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman have returned plus crocked duo Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni
      France trained with a full squad on Saturday as five players returnedCredit: EPA
      Star performers Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe were joined in training by all France’s injury and illness victimsCredit: Rex
      Jules Kounde’s fellow centre-backs trained alongside him for FranceCredit: Getty
      A wave of illness swept over the camp before Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final against Morocco.
      And Hernandez (knee) as well as Tchouameni (hip) made the situation worse with injuries.
      But French outlet L’Equipe say centre-backs Varane and Konate re-joined the squad for lunch.
      Bayern Munich winger Coman had to stay isolated in his room for longer but has reportedly also made a comeback.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Central defender Dayot Upamecano is also back after missing the semi-final.
      Adrien Rabiot will be available again too after sitting out that Morocco clash.
      But his replacement Youssouf Fofana put in an impressive display and boss Didier Deschamps could retain him in the starting line-up.
      While France have seen the last stretch of their title defence come under siege, Argentina have had no reports of such afflictions.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      But the pressure is nonetheless on for Lionel Messi and Co to bring home a first Jules Rimet trophy since 1986 after failing in 2014.
      Speaking about the outbreak of the virus, Deschamps explained the virus spreading through the camp.
      He said: “In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time.
      “We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms.
      “We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.
      “Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match (against England).
      “It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.
      “We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it.
      “We separated him from others and Adrien as well.”
      In one fortunate twist of fate, Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema is technically available for France selection in the final due to never being replaced in the squad.
      Read More on The Sun
      However, both Deschamps and Benzema appeared to squash such rumours, with Deschamps saying he was taking care of the 24 players in the squad rather than players not present.
      Benzema posted a cryptic message on his social media channels, stating: “It does not interest me.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham blow as Richarlison faces six weeks out after Brazil star suffered hamstring injury at World Cup

      by

      TOTTENHAM forward Richarlison is set to be sidelined for around five to six weeks with a hamstring problem, according to reports.The 25-year-old sustained the injury in training ahead of Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final against Croatia.
      Richarlison could be sidelined for around five to six weeksCredit: Getty
      Richarlison still ended up playing the first 84 minutes of the game before he was withdrawn in the latter stages.
      It ended up being a doubly painful day for the ex-Everton star after Brazil were knocked out on penalties.
      Recent reports emerged that Richarlison was expected to miss around a month of action.
      But having undergone a scan, Football.London have revealed that he could now be ruled out for up to SIX weeks.
      read more on world cup
      It comes as a major blow for manager Antonio Conte, who only recently welcomed back attacking duo Heung Min Son and Dejan Kulusevski.
      It means Richarlison will definitely miss the entire festive period and the FA Cup third round tie with Portsmouth next month.

      He could also sit out the North London derby on 15 January and the trips to Manchester City and Fulham.
      Tottenham face the reigning Premier League champs again on 5 February and he might be targeting a return to action then.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP
      February could be a huge month for Conte’s side, who also face AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 tie and London rivals West Ham and Chelsea.
      But first, Spurs travel to Brentford on Boxing Day in their first game since beating Leeds on 12 November. More

    • 188 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Do the winners of the third place playoff get a medal at World Cup 2022?

      by

      THE 2022 World Cup in Qatar is coming to an end THIS WEEKEND, with just two games remaining.It has been quite the tournament so far with Morocco, Croatia, Argentina and France making up the final four.
      France celebrating making consecutive World Cup finalsCredit: Getty
      Argentina will join France in the finalCredit: Getty
      France came out victorious against Morocco, with Argentina beating Croatia to set up a Kylian Mbappe vs Lionel Messi final.
      But first, Croatia take on Morocco to find out who finishes third at the 2022 World Cup.
      read more world cup
      Do the winners of the third place playoff get a medal at World Cup 2022?
      Many see the third place playoff match at a World Cup as one to avoid as both teams go into the clash bitterly disappointed as they fall at the final hurdle.
      Last time out we saw a depleted England side face Belgium in the clash, where Gareth Southgate’s men fell to defeat in Russia.
      England took on Belgium in an uninspiring third place playoff in 2018Credit: The Mega Agency
      It looked like the players were already ready to head home as they had no real desire to win the match.
      However, with Morocco and Croatia in action this time out, the two sides could be keen to come out victorious and ensure that they do not leave Qatar completely empty handed.
      The winners of the clash will be given a bronze medal, an award to show that they finished in third behind Argentina and France.
      The 2022 third place playoff will be a more interesting affair, with Morocco looking to beat Croatia to a bronze medalCredit: Splash
      This will be awarded after the match, with the two finalists receiving silver and gold medals – and the winner taking the prestigious World Cup trophy.
      Most read in Football
      While Morocco have already won the hearts of the world as they became the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final, they will be keen to add a medal to their collection when they face Croatia this weekend. More

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Why is Croatia player Josko Gvardiol wearing a mask against Morocco at World Cup 2022?

      by

      JOSKO GVARDIOL is one of the most sought-after talents in European football and has shown just why at the World Cup and he is in action again TODAY.The RB Leipzig centre-back, 20, has attracted transfer interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid in recent months.
      Josko Gvardiol puts on his face mask after the anthems at the World Cup in QatarCredit: Reuters
      Gvardiol was sporting two black eyes when he was on the bench for Croatia’s World Cup warm-up match recentlyCredit: Alamy
      But he has remained loyal to the Bundesliga club, who are regulars in the Champions League.
      And fans will have noticed the Croatia star is wearing an unfamiliar facial decoration during their World Cup campaign, which concludes in the third place playoff against Morocco.
      Read more World Cup
      Why is Josko Gvardiol wearing a mask?
      Gvardiol was taken to hospital on November 10, during Leipzig’s 3-1 Bundesliga win over Freiburg.
      He collided with team-mate Willi Orban in the 17th minute and injured his face.

      Gvardiol wasn’t actually supposed to start the game but Abdou Diallo injured his knee in the warm-up.
      Unfortunately for Gvardiol, he injured his face, with a nose and eye problem and left the pitch with a bloody nose.
      Josko Gvardiol had a bloodied nose after a nasty collision with a team-mate during Leipzig’s 3-1 win over FreiburgCredit: Reuters
      Most read in Football
      Scans later showed he broke his nose and is therefore being forced to wear a face mask at the World Cup, with Croatia’s first game less than two weeks away.
      RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose said: “I heard he has a broken nose.
      “The eye is swollen. He looks like a boxer after 12 rounds against a tough opponent.” More