World Cup 2022 LIVE: Brazil squad announcement and latest news

Qatar’s World Cup stadiums

The 2022 World Cup is almost upon us with managers frantically finalising their squads this week.

The deadline to confirm the 26-man squads is 13 November, a week before the tournament starts in Qatar with the hosts taking on Ecuador.

Brazil are expected to confirm their squad on Monday with Tite able to boast a plethora of exceptional attacking players, with the Selecao entering the tournament as favourites.

Gareth Southgate has plenty of issues to scrutinise over in the coming days, before the final squad is announced on Thursday, with injuries and breakout performances and form from the likes of James Maddison and Ben White.

Follow all the latest news and squad announcements from the 32 teams below:

1667818521

Ben Chilwell injury: Chelsea and England defender ruled out of World Cup

Ben Chilwell has been ruled out of the World Cup with a hamstring injury in a major blow to both the Chelsea defender and England.

Chilwell limped out of Chelsea’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb in midweek and a subsequent scan has revealed a “significant injury” just two weeks before the start of the tournament in Qatar.

Chelsea said in a statement: “Following the injury sustained in our recent game against Dinamo Zagreb, Ben has undergone a scan on his hamstring. Results show that Ben has suffered a significant injury and the defender is unfortunately expected to miss the World Cup. Ben will now begin a rehabilitation programme with the club’s medical department.”

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:55

1667817921

Portugal World Cup 2022 squad guide: Full fixtures, group, ones to watch, odds and more

And despite Fernando Santos’ somewhat outdated tactics and selection, the Selecao remain a real contender in Qatar.

With a plethora of talent in support of Ronaldo, including Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, but Diogo Jota is out injured, meaning Santos will have to find the right balance with the recent Nations League performances hardly encouraging.

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:45

1667817021

Gabriel Martinelli set to miss out on Brazil squad?

Tite has an embarrassment of riches to choose from today, here are some of the options he faces:

Gabriel Martinelli has been one of the best Premier League players this season, helping to support Arsenal’s title bid.

But the Gunners star is on the outside looking in for a place in the Selecao’s squad, with Neymar and Vini Jr the starting wingers in all likelihood, although Neymar could switch to the No 10 role, with an extra attacking player in place of a third midfielder.

Beyond those two, Martinelli may be beaten to a place by Raphinha, Antony and Rodrygo.

Other forwards to consider will be Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Pedro and Roberto Firmino.

Gabriel Martinelli celebrates after heading Arsenal in front

(Reuters)

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:30

1667816721

English FA and other European nations tell Fifa ‘human rights are universal’ ahead of Qatar World Cup

Ten European nations competing at the 2022 World Cup this winter in Qatar, including England, have responded to Fifa’s message to focus on football over politics by insisting “human rights are universal and they apply everywhere.”

England’s FA, along with the likes of Wales, Portugal, Sweden and Germany, released a joint statement pledging to ensure the game’s governing body followed through on promises to provide recompense to migrant workers, while also reiterating that football had to use its standing to drive improvements throughout the world.

Earlier this week, Fifa wrote to all involved nations amid rising criticism and perceived hostility toward the hosts, saying “let’s now focus on the football” and asking the 32 federations to “not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists”.

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:25

1667816121

James Maddison is built for a World Cup – Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers

The 25-year-old has not been picked by England since October 2019 but is still holding out hope of making the final cut for Gareth Southgate’s squad for the tournament in Qatar, which starts in 15 days.

He provided the assists for Youri Tielemans’s brilliant volleyed opener late in the first half and then teed up Harvey Barnes for an 86th-minute second to clinch a third victory in four matches to lift them out of the relegation zone.

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:15

1667815701

Rio Ferdinand: Players should not be going to World Cup fearing racist abuse

The former England defender, who earned 81 caps for the Three Lions, has called on social media companies to do more for athletes he says are not afforded enough protection against virtual vitriol from keyboard warriors, with some incidents warranting criminal investigations.

Ferdinand, himself frequently subjected to attacks, expressed exasperation on behalf of players who could fly to Qatar fearing their lifelong dreams of playing on football’s biggest stage will be ruined by racism.

“I honestly think it probably will happen again,” he said. “It’s unfair. And I don’t think it’s just English players, I think it’s players of colour from all over the world who will be thinking this.

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:08

1667815221

Antonio Conte confident Son Heung-min will be fit for World Cup

The Spurs attacker sustained a fracture around his left eye on Tuesday during their 2-1 win at Marseille following a collision with Chancel Mbemba.

It has left Son in a race against time to be available for the tournament in Qatar, which gets under way on November 20.

The 30-year-old had surgery on Friday and therefore missed Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 10:00

1667814434

Japan World Cup 2022 squad guide: Full fixtures, group, ones to watch, odds and more

Japan will hope to break their recent trend of World Cup performances this winter, though they face a tough task in Group E as they go up against Germany, Spain and Costa Rica.

Since first playing at the tournament in 1998, Japan’s record has read: group-stage exit, last-16 defeat, group-stage exit, last-16 defeat, group-stage exit, last-16 defeat.

That form suggests another early flight home for the national team, and given the stiffness of competition in their group, there would be no surprise or shame in that. But coach Hajime Moriyasu, who played for Japan between 1992 and 1996, will look to help his country replicate their spirited showing from the 2018 World Cup as he manages the side at a world championship for the first time.

Jack Rathborn7 November 2022 09:47

You May Also Like

Twitter begins reinstating 62,000 suspended accounts…

Posted by Kane on November 28, 2022 11:07 pm NEWS JUNKIES —…

Munich: Netflix WW2 Movie Holds Mirror Up to Today

We all know how that went. Hence the fictional drama simultaneously occurring…

What’s at stake? Colts Neck Manor apartment plans draw criticism and questions

COLTS NECK – Over 100 people logged onto the planning board’s more than…

Squid Game season 2 is not coming to Netflix in January 2022

There are a few shows that we want to see more of.…