World Cup 2022 LIVE: Qatar vs Ecuador and opening ceremony approach as fans are banned from buying alcohol
Four years since the last World Cup and 12 since Qatar won a bid to host the 2022 edition of the tournament, the first ever winter world championship begins on Sunday (20 November). As is traditional, the host nation will kick off the World Cup, with Qatar in action against Ecuador at 8pm GMT.
Qatar and Ecuador are joined in Group A by Netherlands and Senegal, who clash on Monday (21 November) afternoon. Before Qatar take on Ecuador, an opening ceremony will take place in the Al Bayt Stadium, where that fixture will be held. Originally, the World Cup was actually due to begin with Senegal vs Netherlands on Sunday, followed by three fixtures on Monday – rounded off by Qatar vs Ecuador and the opening ceremony.
In a late about-turn, however, World Cup organisers are poised to announce that no alcohol will be sold around stadium sites in the tournament in a major last-minute U-turn. Major World Cup sponsor Budweiser was to sell alcoholic beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each of the eight stadiums three hours before and one hour after each game.
Elsewhere, England have begun training in Qatar as they prepare for their World Cup-opener against Iran on Monday, having also met migrant workers in a country where thousands have reportedly died during preparations for the tournament. The FA organised for migrant workers to meet England’s squad and coaching staff, though James Maddison was absent – and remained so on Friday – with his role in the clash with Iran in doubt.
In other news, Senegal suffered a major injury blow as Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane was officially ruled out of the World Cup, and a number of teams involved in the winter tournament took part in friendlies on Thursday night.
Follow all the latest news and squad announcements from the 32 teams below:
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
World Cup begins on Sunday with opening ceremony and Qatar vs Ecuador
Organisers to declare that no alcohol will be sold around stadium sites in late U-turn
Three Lions’ sponsors Lucozade pull branding from World Cup
Irish reporter is latest journalist to be stopped by police in Qatar
James Maddison absent from England training for second day in a row
England meet and train with migrant workers in Qatar
Sadio Mane ruled out of World Cup in major blow for Senegal
Our writers predict World Cup winners, top scorer and more
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
15:31 , Alex Pattle
The BBC has announced that former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino has joined the broadcaster’s 2022 World Cup team.
Pochettino, who was sacked by PSG in July after spells with Spurs and Southampton, will join the likes of Didier Drogba, Jurgen Klinsmann, Vincent Kompany and Laura Georges in working for the BBC during this winter’s Qatar tournament.
Pochettino, 50, played at the 2002 World Cup as part of the Argentina team that were eliminated in the group stage.
The former defender has worked with a number of players who will feature at the Qatar World Cup, including England striker Harry Kane, Argentina forward Lionel Messi, Brazil winger Neymar, and France forward Kylian Mbappe.
“The World Cup is a special tournament, and it is a real pleasure to be a part of it with BBC Sport and some great names from world football,” Pochettino said.
“It is a new experience for me and an opportunity to see football from another perspective, before I return to coaching in future.”
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
15:12 , Alex Pattle
An Irish journalist has said he was stopped by police in Qatar while filming coverage ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Earlier this week, Qatari officials apologised after footage of a Danish camera crew being “mistakenly interrupted” on a live broadcast went viral.
And in the latest incident of that nature, Irish journalist Tony O’Donoghue told RTE how he was stopped by police while filming a piece to camera on Thursday (17 November).
During RTE’s coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly fixture with Norway – a game Ireland lost 2-1 – O’Donoghue explained the moment to the broadcaster.
He did, however, say he believes that the incident had stemmed from poor communication between tournament organisers and security officials – rather than the episode serving as evidence of an ‘oppressive regime’.
Full story here:
Irish journalist interrupted by Qatar police while filming ahead of World Cup
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
14:21 , Alex Pattle
“Of the many facts and figures circulated about Qatar’s problems, there is one realisation that should stand above everything. It is a disgrace that, in 2022, a country can host a World Cup where it has lured millions of people from the poorest countries on earth – often under false pretences – and then forced them into what many call ‘modern slavery’.
“And yet this has just been accepted. The World Cup carries on, an end product of a structure that is at once Orwellian and Kafkaesque. A huge underclass of people work in an autocratic surveillance state, amid an interconnected network of issues that make it almost impossible to escape.”
Here is Miguel Delaney on everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup.
Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
13:58 , Alex Pattle
Fans have been told they will not be able to buy alcohol at World Cup stadiums in Qatar with just two days to go until the tournament gets under way.
Why the late decision?
Here is the story in more detail:
Why the late decision? Fans banned from buying alcohol at World Cup stadiums
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
13:57 , Karl Matchett
Sadio Mane will be out for up to three or four months, Bayern Munich have confirmed.
The Senegal forward will play no part at the World Cup and will miss the resumption of the Bundesliga season too, after an operation on his Achilles.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
13:31 , Alex Pattle
Here is the early team news ahead of England vs Iran:
James Maddison spent some of this week training alone, having been substituted in the first half of Leicester’s win against West Ham before the international break. Struggling with a knee issue, the midfielder could well miss out here.
Meanwhile, Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has confirmed that he will be absent for this match, but the right back expects to be fit in time for England’s next outing – against USA.
Kalvin Phillips was included in Southgate’s squad despite having barely taken to the pitch for Man City this season, so it would be surprising if he started in the Three Lions’ midfield here.
Meanwhile, Iran striker Sardar Azmoun was injured in the run-up to the tournament and has been trying to prove his fitness since, meaning his participation against England is up in the air.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
12:58 , Alex Pattle
German outlet SPORT1 has reported that Sadio Mane’s surgery this week will not only keep him out of the World Cup, but that the Senegal forward will be out for three-four months.
Following Mane’s surgery on Thursday, which saw a tendon reattached to his right fibula, the Bayern Munich star could even miss his club’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.
Bad news: Bayern Munich expect Sadio Mané to be out for 3.5 to 4 months, depending on the healing process. His appearance in the UCL round of 16 against PSG is in doubt. #FCBayern @SPORT1
— Kerry Hau (@kerry_hau) November 18, 2022
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
12:53 , Alex Pattle
Following their 4-0 victory over Nigeria in a friendly fixture last night, the Portugal squad are now making their way from Lisbon to Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the game with Nigeria, is en route to the World Cup with his teammates and their coaching staff.
The latest news around Ronaldo is that Manchester United have ‘initiated appropriate steps’ in response to the forward’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan this week.
Ronaldo, 37, hit out at the state of the club while criticising the owners, coach Erik ten Hag, and the mentality of his teammates.
Read more on United’s response here.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
12:42 , Alex Pattle
Today marks the release of Indy Sport’s big World Cup predictions piece!
Our writers have made predictions on:
• who will win the World Cup
• who will claim the Golden Boot
• who will be the breakout star of the tournament
• how far England and Wales will go in the competition
Check out our picks here:
World Cup predictions: Winner, golden boot, breakout star and more
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
12:23 , Alex Pattle
In more beverage-related news:
Lucozade, the energy soft-drink brand that has long been a sponsor of the England football team, has decided to pull its branding from the Qatar World Cup.
“We continue to support all England teams, who celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion,” Lucozade said.
“We will not have a brand presence at press conferences, training session or on pitches.”
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
12:17 , Alex Pattle
In relation to the expected announcement that alcohol will not be sold on stadium sites at the World Cup – marking a dramatic, late U-turn by tournament organisers – the Football Supporters’ Association has released the following statement:
“Some fans like a beer at the match and some don’t, but the real issue is the last minute U-turn, which speaks to a wider problem – the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters.
“If they can change their minds on this at a moment’s notice, with no explanation, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will fulfil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues.”
More here:
Qatar World Cup to ban alcohol around stadiums in last-ditch U-turn
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
12:09 , Alex Pattle
A reminder of today’s top three World Cup stories:
• Injured Sadio Mane ruled out of World Cup after all, as Senegal suffer significant blow
• James Maddison trains away from England squad for second day in a row ahead of Iran game
You can jump to any of those stories by clicking the relevant links above.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
11:40 , Alex Pattle
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from Portugal’s 4-0 home win against Nigeria last night, as Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes struck twice in an emphatic victory.
And it wouldn’t be another day on planet Earth without a new Ronaldo story...
United have begun taking “appropriate steps” in response to the forward’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan this week.
Ronaldo torched bridges with his club during the startingly blunt two-part interview, which aired on TalkTV on Wednesday and Thursday, with stinging criticism of everyone from the Glazer family and club hierarchy to his teammates and manager Erik ten Hag.
United have reportedly been left aghast by the interview but have said little in public on the matter. Until now...
In a statement on Friday, which hinted Ronaldo could face fresh disciplinary action, the club said: “Manchester United has this morning initiated appropriate steps in response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent media interview. We will not be making further comment until this process reaches its conclusion.”
Manchester United ‘initiate steps’ after explosive Cristiano Ronaldo interview
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
11:25 , Alex Pattle
Remember the last time that we were on the eve of a major international tournament, England had learned how to do penalty shootouts? They had finally won one at a World Cup – beating Colombia in the last 16 in 2018 – then another in the Nations League a year later. Not only that, they had overcome this long-held hang-up thanks to the man responsible for the most painful penalty miss in English football’s history.
Correction: the most painful penalty miss in English football history up to that point. If Gareth Southgate’s failure to convert from the spot in a European Championship semi-final back in 1996 prolonged the many years of hurt, then Bukayo Saka’s miss in last year’s final was perhaps their most heartbreaking moment – particularly for such a young player, particularly when so close to winning a first major tournament in 55 years.
All you can do is put yourself in the best position to get lucky. Southgate has done that through having players practise at the end of long, hard training sessions to recreate the sensation of tired legs, and waiting for a few seconds after the sound of the referee’s whistle in order to gain composure. And rather than asking players to volunteer, it also helps to know who your best takers are in the first place.
Who are England’s best, then, and who should step up if their fate is to be decided by way of a shootout again? The Independent has looked at the senior, professional career penalty records of every player in the squad, plus a few who only just missed out, to assess who may be Southgate’s first five takers.
Who are England’s best penalty takers?
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
11:15 , Alex Pattle
“Saman Ghoddos visibly considers his words, but he has clearly thought about what he is going to say. The Brentford forward does not want to stay silent on an issue of such importance. The stakes for Ghoddos, however, are much greater than just offering a statement on Qatar’s issues in the way most other World Cup players might.
“The 29-year-old knows he is going to be asked about the political strife in Iran, where the state security forces have killed hundreds in shutting down nationwide protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, who was beaten in police custody after allegedly breaking rules on mandatory head coverings. He has agreed to an interview because of it, though, and shows considerable courage with his comments.
“‘Everybody wants to see a change,’ Ghoddos says. ‘It’s a change that is very easy. What the people want is nothing special. It’s just freedom and I don’t want to say, ‘Yeah, go fight for it,’ because I don’t think violence is the right way. But something has to change and this has been going on for too long.’”
Interview with Iran and Brentford’s Ghoddos, by Miguel Delaney:
Saman Ghoddos on Iran, the World Cup and ‘playing for the people’
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
11:10 , Alex Pattle
In response to the reportedly incoming announcement that no alcohol will be sold on stadium sites at the Qatar World Cup – a move that marks a major, last-minute U-turn – official tournament sponsor Budweiser had this to say this morning...
Well, this is awkward...
— Budweiser (@Budweiser) November 18, 2022
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
11:05 , Alex Pattle
James Maddison was again the only player to train away from the main group on Friday as England continued to gear up for their World Cup opener.
The Three Lions kick off Group B against Iran on Monday (21 November), before facing the United States and neighbours Wales.
Maddison hopes to be fit for the start of the tournament after a positive scan on the knee complaint that saw him substituted in the first half of Leicester’s Premier League win at West Ham last weekend.
The midfielder came out for the pre-session huddle on Friday but worked away from the main group for the second straight day due to what the Football Association called load management.
More here:
James Maddison trains away from squad again as England continue Iran build-up
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
10:54 , Alex Pattle
“Have England seen the best of Phil Foden? Even Foden himself does not think so. ‘Definitely not,’ he admits.
“There are reasons for that. ‘You have to learn to play with different players and what they like best – running behind or wanting balls to feet,’ he says, while taking a break from Al Wakrah’s temperatures in the mid-30s and sitting down in the vast, air-conditioned sports hall that forms part of England’s World Cup base camp. But there’s also a belief he has had ‘enough experience’ to know those little details by now.
“Widely regarded as the most naturally gifted English player of his generation, Foden is yet to consistently display his undoubted ability in an England shirt.”
Does the Qatar World Cup mark his time to finally do so? Here’s Mark Critchley with our final World Cup preview of this morning:
Foden ready to play central role as England’s secret World Cup winner
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
10:45 , Alex Pattle
Here’s more on the expected announcement that no alcohol will be sold around stadium sites at the Qatar World Cup, in a last-minute U-turn:
The move comes just two days before the start of the World Cup, when hosts Qatar take on Ecuador in Doha.
Budweiser was contracted to sell alcoholic beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding the eight World Cup venues, in a designated window three hours before each match and one hour afterwards.
The move by Qatari authorities follows last week’s decision to hide away stalls which sell alcohol from main thoroughfares, and leaves Fifa in a potentially compromised position with Budweiser’s parent company AB InBev, which sponsors the tournament to the tune of around £70m in exchange for exclusive rights to sell beer.
Full story:
Qatar World Cup to ban alcohol around stadiums in last-ditch U-turn
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
10:36 , Alex Pattle
Senegal star Sadio Mane has been ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing surgery for his leg injury, Bayern Munich and the Senegalese football federation said on Thursday.
Bayern said the 30-year-old Mane had an operation in Innsbruck, Austria late on Thursday to reattach a tendon to the head of his right fibula bone, treating an injury he sustained playing for Bayern in a Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen on 8 November.
“The FC Bayern forward will therefore no longer be available to play for Senegal at the World Cup and will begin his rehab in Munich in the next few days,” Bayern said.
Senegal team doctor Manuel Afonso earlier announced the end of Mane’s lingering hopes of playing at least some part in the World Cup.
“Unfortunately, today’s MRI shows us that the progress was not as favourable as we had hoped,” Afonso said. “The result is unfortunately us withdrawing Sadio from the World Cup.”
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
10:25 , Alex Pattle
The moments that define a World Cup are not always entirely dictated by what happens on the pitch. The words used to describe the great goals can often stick with fans and enhance the memory further. Think Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic strike for hosts South Africa against Mexico in 2010. “Goal Bafana Bafana, goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa,” screamed Peter Drury.
Not only the immediate words or silence surrounding the goals, but the familiarity with those in the booth. The chemistry, anecdotes and jokes at the right time, all of which can be crucial to the enjoyment of a game, or get it wrong, run the risk of spoiling it.
During the Qatar World Cup, networks ITV and the BBC will compete to provide the best coverage of the tournament, with a number of England, Wales and international legends ready to provide World Cup insight.
Here’s all you need to know about the BBC and ITV’s commentators and pundits for the Qatar World Cup:
BBC vs ITV offers World Cup sub-plot after all-star casts unveiled
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
10:15 , Alex Pattle
Breaking news: Qatar World Cup organisers are poised to announce that no alcohol will be sold around stadium sites in the tournament in a major last-minute U-turn.
The expected announcement comes two days before the kick-off of the Qatar World Cup, the first to be hosted in a Middle Eastern nation.
Major World Cup sponsor Budweiser was to sell alcoholic beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each of the eight stadiums three hours before and one hour after each game.
More follows...
Qatar World Cup to ban alcohol around stadiums in last-ditch U-turn
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
10:05 , Alex Pattle
Among last night’s international friendlies was Republic of Ireland vs Norway, with the latter emerging as 2-1 winners away from home.
Following the match, Ireland midfielder Alan Browne warned his side that they need to remember how not to lose if they are to prosper in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which begins with a game against France in March.
“We were on top, it’s about not losing the game,” Browne said. “We probably could have nicked it, but judging by the first-half performance, a draw probably would have been fair. We have to learn from that and if we’re not going to win, we’re not going to concede at the other end.”
While a number of teams in action last night will partake in the World Cup this month, Ireland and Norway will be absent, with both sides having failed to qualify.
As a result, Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland will have to wait for his first appearance at a world championship.
Alan Browne urges Republic of Ireland to learn from narrow defeat by Norway
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
09:54 , Alex Pattle
The World Cup is here with the showpiece event jammed into the middle of the domestic season in Europe.
France, the world champions, defend their title after being hit with several key injuries, including N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Christopher Nkunku.
Brazil are the favourites, but Argentina’s unbeaten streak and victory over the Selecao in the Copa America final has built confidence in a crowning moment for Lionel Messi on the international stage.
Gareth Southgate will hope it’s England’s time, after heartache at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, while Gareth Bale leads a Wales side determined to harness memories of Euro 2016 in their first mundial since 1958.
From top goalscorer and the players that will emerge as stars to the team that seizes glory, here are Indy Sport’s predictions for the spectacle in Qatar:
World Cup predictions: Winner, golden boot, breakout star and more
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
09:44 , Alex Pattle
Four years since the last World Cup and 12 since Qatar won a bid to host the 2022 edition of the tournament, the first ever winter world championship begins on Sunday.
As is traditional, the host nation will kick off the World Cup, with Qatar in action against Ecuador at 8pm GMT on Sunday (20 November).
Qatar and Ecuador are joined in Group A by Netherlands and Senegal, who clash on Monday (21 November) afternoon.
Before Qatar take on Ecuador, an opening ceremony will take place in the Al Bayt Stadium, where that fixture will be held.
Originally, the World Cup was actually due to begin with Senegal vs Netherlands on Sunday, followed by three fixtures on Monday – rounded off by Qatar vs Ecuador and the opening ceremony.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
09:32 , Alex Pattle
Conor Coady insists he is not a World Cup “tourist” and will do whatever is asked of him in Qatar despite still getting stick for his role at the European Championship.
The Everton defender – currently on loan from Wolves – was unofficially crowned England’s player of the tournament last summer as they lost on penalties to Italy in the final, despite not making a single appearance. Assistant manager Steve Holland bestowed Coady with the honour for his spirit in and around the group.
But, while the 29-year-old will not kick up a fuss if he goes another major international tournament without kicking a ball, he does not intend to just be along for the ride.
Asked what a good tourist looks like at a World Cup, Coady replied: “He has just called me a tourist! I don’t think of myself as that if I’m being honest, I think of myself as a player who’s coming to try and affect, to try and help as much as I possibly can and to push everyone.
“I’ve said it plenty of times before: If you’re not going to play in a team, what are you going to do?”
More here:
‘I’m not a tourist’: England defender Conor Coady laughs off World Cup criticism
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
09:23 , Alex Pattle
“The shirt Pele wore in Wales’ last match in a World Cup ended up being used by a Sunday league pub team in Swansea. It may have cost Mel Charles, the defender who swapped shirts with the 17-year-old in Gothenburg, a small fortune in latter years when such memorabilia would have been valuable; as it was, Charles, who played in era when the maximum wage was £20 a week, could not afford a new kit for the amateur side he managed and so reached into his stash of former international shirts.
“Should, say, Joe Rodon or Chris Mepham end up with Lionel Messi’s top in a potential quarter-final in December, it is unlikely to meet with a similar fate. But it is one illustration of how times have changed since Wales last graced the global stage. In 1958, 25 percent of the teams were the Home Nations; there was a British pot in the draw. And if that ensured they could not face each other in the group stage then, now, as in Euro 2016, Wales are pooled with England.
“They topped that pool on their way to the semi-finals and a small country have shown they can go a long way.”
Here’s Richard Jolly on why Wales are ready to prove again that sidekicks can star in their own right:
Wales ready to prove again that sidekicks can star in their own right
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
09:14 , Alex Pattle
“As England flew out to Doha this week, the ‘buzzing’ players immediately got back into old groups, but not cliques. This squad “isn’t built like that”. There’s a real team spirit, and sources both inside and outside the camp sincerely say you’d struggle to find a group more united at this World Cup. It might be England’s best advantage over everyone else.
“It might also, however, hint at a growing weakness.
“The group’s togetherness comes from the fact a core of the squad have been together for so long, their bonds fortified by the joy of an uplifting journey. This World Cup squad actually only features five names that are different from the original 26 for Euro 2020, before two enforced changes.
“It raises two major questions that are going to frame England’s entire World Cup...”
Here’s Miguel Delaney on whether this Three Lions group have already missed their chance at glory on the biggest stage:
Have England already missed their chance for World Cup glory?
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
09:01 , Alex Pattle
A number of international friendlies took place last night, with Spain and Portugal among the nations to have taken to the pitch before the World Cup begins next week.
Spain, who will start their Qatar campaign against Costa Rica on Wednesday, comfortably beat home side Jordan 3-1 thanks to goals from Ansu Fati, Gavi and Nico Williams. Jordan pulled one back in the final minutes of the game, but Luis Enrique will be content with his team’s performance as they prepare to take on Costa Rica, Germany and Japan in Group E.
Elsewhere, Portugal were 4-0 victors on home turf as they faced Nigeria. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes scored twice, with Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario also netting as Cristiano Ronaldo missed the fixture altogether. Portugal, who are part of Group H at the World Cup, will line up against Ghana on Wednesday then Uruguay and South Korea.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
08:53 , Alex Pattle
Senegal star Sadio Mane has been ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing surgery for his leg injury, Bayern Munich and the Senegalese football federation said on Thursday.
Bayern said the 30-year-old Mane had an operation in Innsbruck, Austria late on Thursday to reattach a tendon to the head of his right fibula bone, treating an injury he sustained playing for Bayern in a Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen on 8 November.
“The FC Bayern forward will therefore no longer be available to play for Senegal at the World Cup and will begin his rehab in Munich in the next few days,” Bayern said.
Senegal team doctor Manuel Afonso earlier announced the end of Mane’s lingering hopes of playing at least some part in the World Cup.
“Unfortunately, today’s MRI shows us that the progress was not as favourable as we had hoped,” Afonso said. “The result is unfortunately us withdrawing Sadio from the World Cup.”
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
08:43 , Alex Pattle
James Maddison was absent from England training on Thursday, leaving his potential role in England’s World Cup-opener up in the air.
The Leicester midfielder was somewhat of a surprise inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s squad, despite his impressive form this season, due to the fact that the 25-year-old has just one England cap to his name – and that having come almost three years ago to the day.
Maddison was substituted during the first half of Leicester’s 2-0 win against West Ham on Saturday, in each team’s last Premier League outing before the World Cup.
Foxes coach Brendan Rodgers insisted after the match that the midfielder was simply taken off as a precaution, with Maddison having felt his knee as he exited the pitch.
England take on Iran in their Group B-opener on Monday, with Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker having already been ruled out of that game.
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
08:39 , Alex Pattle
Gareth Southgate believes England have “made a rod for their own back” by speaking out on human rights at the World Cup but will not stop his players from talking on such issues in Qatar.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino wrote to all 32 competing nations earlier this month urging them to focus on the on-field action and “not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists” during the contentious tournament.
Southgate has been asked about human rights issues in Qatar right back to England’s qualification campaign and his players have also fronted up when questions surrounding the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and other societal talking points have been raised.
“We are now asked more of those types of questions than ever before,” Southgate said. “Perhaps it’s because we’ve made a rod for our own back in that we’ve dealt with some pretty hefty issues fairly well, I think, as a group.
“But the reality is, very few of us were university educated, we’re doing our best to make sure that we’re as informed as we can be and I think we will speak up when we think we can make a difference. I think the diversity of the team brings that difference in thinking because of the experiences in their own lives.”
More here:
Gareth Southgate says England are ‘not going to duck questions on human rights’
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
08:32 , Alex Pattle
Here’s more on England meeting migrant workers in Qatar:
An employee of the Qatar Supreme Committee said those taking part all had contracts with them, saying those involved had played in the Workers’ Cup or are currently involved in community football.
A couple of workers spoke to the assembled media after the session, including Ashlin, 27, from Kerala, India. “It’s a good opportunity,” he said, wearing his signed England shirt and holding his match ticket along with a mini replica World Cup football. “I am an England fan – Frank Lampard, John Terry and free-kick master in David Beckham. I’m also a Chelsea fan.”
An electrical technician who has been in Qatar for the past three-and-a-half years, Ashlin currently works at Al Bayt Stadium – the venue for England’s Group B clash with Wales. “Qatar is a good country and it’s a safe country,” he said. “There’s freedom in Qatar.” Asked about the living conditions, he said: “It’s good. The accommodation is good quality.”
More here:
England squad meet migrant workers in Qatar ahead of World Cup
World Cup 2022 news LIVE
08:21 , Alex Pattle
Welcome to our coverage of all of Friday’s World Cup-related news!
England have begun training in Qatar as they prepare for their World Cup-opener against Iran on Monday, having also met migrant workers in a country where thousands have reportedly died during preparations for the tournament.
Having controversially been awarded hosting rights in 2010, the Gulf state’s suitability and human rights record have been intensely scrutinised. Last year a report by the Guardian said 6,500 migrant workers had died in Qatar since the award of the World Cup – something “categorically” denied by authorities.
The FA organised for migrant workers to meet England’s squad and coaching staff, and those involved were given Three Lions shirts, which players signed at the end of the training drills. Penalties were taken by both the players and workers, who the FA surprised by giving them category A tickets to England’s Group B opener against Iran. James Maddison, however, was absent as his participation in England’s first match is up in the air.
Elsewhere, Senegal suffered a major injury blow as Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane was officially ruled out of the World Cup, and a number of teams involved in the winter tournament took part in friendlies on Thursday night. Ghana beat Switzerland 2-0 and Japan lost 2-1 to Canada, while Spain defeated Jordan 3-1 and Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Portugal beat Nigeria 4-0.
