The 2022 World Cup successful Qatar starts successful conscionable 5 days, erstwhile the big federation kicks it each disconnected connected Nov. 20 erstwhile they instrumentality connected Ecuador.
- Stream connected ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, much (U.S.)
All 32 finalists person made their squad announcements, hoping that prima players don't get struck down by wounded successful grooming and caput into their archetypal lucifer successful apical form. Away from that, there's plentifulness of players who didn't marque their respective nationalist teams, on with astonishment additions.
In the past variation of the 2022 World Cup banal watch, we'll instrumentality a look astatine the favourites to spot however they are shaping up and besides cheque successful with different nations arsenic their players either radiance oregon struggle.
- All World Cup squad lists for Qatar
- Schedule, previews and however to watch
- 32 team-by-team previews for the World Cup
JUMP TO: United States | France | Germany | Spain | Netherlands | Belgium | Argentina | Brazil | Mexico | Ecuador | Wales | Portugal | Australia | Senegal | Tunisia | Morocco | Cameroon | Ghana | Japan | South Korea | Uruguay | Iran | Saudi Arabia | | Qatar |
ENGLAND
Fixtures: IR Iran (Nov. 21), United States (Nov. 25), Wales (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
James Maddison: He was the melodramatic precocious inclusion for England's 26-man squad having not received a call-up for 3 years. An wounded scare successful Leicester City's last Premier League crippled astatine Everton past play raised fears helium could endure the cruelest of blows and miss retired but the midfielder travelled to Qatar with the radical connected Tuesday aft it was revealed helium suffered lone a insignificant sound to his genu and was substituted arsenic a precaution.
Strikers Callum Wilson and Marcus Rashford edged retired Ivan Toney and Tammy Abraham to beryllium Harry Kane's backup. Ben White besides forced his mode successful aft a superb tally of signifier astatine Arsenal portion Conor Gallagher squeezed into the squad contempt starting conscionable 7 games crossed each competitions this play anterior to Gareth Southgate naming his selection.
STOCK FALLING
Ivan Toney: Toney's brace successful Brentford's daze 2-1 triumph astatine Manchester City volition beryllium immoderate tiny consolation for the guardant missing retired connected England's squad. Abraham and Fikayo Tomori person performed good since moving to Serie A, with Roma and AC Milan respectively, but the former's struggles successful beforehand of extremity this play yet counted against him. Tomori was arguably much unlucky fixed helium formed a cardinal portion of the Milan defence which won the club's archetypal league rubric successful 11 years past season. It is simply a motion of however acold Jadon Sancho's banal has fallen that his omission was not adjacent considered overmuch of a surprise.
1:48
Rob Dawson believes Gareth Southgate's call-up of Callum Wilson is simply a akin astonishment to James Maddison's inclusion.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Southgate's squad was mostly met with a affirmative absorption fixed helium included 2 of the players down which determination had been a clamour for their selection: James Maddison and Trent Alexander-Arnold. England are without Reece James and request some Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips to rapidly regain lucifer sharpness, but England person reached Qatar without injuries to their cardinal players.
The grueling Premier League docket hasn't helped, however, and Southgate has nary friendlies to fine-tune his reasoning earlier England's opening crippled against Iran adjacent Monday. England are without a triumph successful six matches but truly it comes down to 2 questions with Southgate: tin helium facilitate England peaking astatine a tourney arsenic helium did successful 2018 and astatine past year's delayed Euros? And volition helium present a bolder marque of shot which the fans judge this talented radical of attacking players tin deliver? He whitethorn person a declaration until 2024, but Southgate's aboriginal successful the eyes of galore onlookers astir apt depends connected affirmative answers to some of those questions. -- James Olley
UNITED STATES
Fixtures: Wales (Nov. 21), England (Nov. 25), IR Iran (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Tim Ream: Ream made conscionable 1 quality successful World Cup qualifying, a 0-0 necktie against El Salvador that started disconnected the Octagonal successful September of 2021. But a operation of injuries to Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, positive a beardown tally of signifier this play for the Cottagers, opened the doorway for Ream to marque the last squad. Given the mode Berhalter likes his teams to play retired of the back, Ream's composure connected the shot could travel successful useful for the U.S., and astatine property 35, making the World Cup squad is simply a monolithic accomplishment for the St. Louis native.
STOCK FALLING
Zack Steffen: If determination was a rubric for biggest snub, Steffen would triumph successful a walk. The Boro keeper was archetypal prime for overmuch of this World Cup cycle, and astatine minimum recovered himself successful contention with Arsenal's Matt Turner. But immoderate high-profile blunders, including successful past year's FA Cup semifinal against Liverpool, planted seeds of doubt, and erstwhile it came clip to marque his decision, Berhalter opted for Turner, Luton Town's Ethan Horvath and New York City FC's Sean Johnson. Keepers person a longer support beingness than outfield players, truthful for Steffen, astatine property 27, there's inactive clip to marque a World Cup squad. But this disappointment volition chopped deep.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
The aforementioned losses of Robinson and Richards volition beryllium pugnacious to replace, but overall, the U.S. seems to beryllium healing up astatine the close time. Weston McKennie was backmost successful grooming for the U.S. connected Tuesday, arsenic was midfielder Luca de la Torre. Tim Weah besides made his 2nd consecutive 90-minute quality for Lille earlier joining up with the U.S. All told, the Americans are successful astir arsenic bully a spot health-wise arsenic could beryllium hoped for. -- Jeff Carlisle
1:15
Watch Weston McKennie, Josh Sargent, Sean Johnson and others find retired from Gregg Berhalter that they've made the World Cup roster.
FRANCE
Fixtures: Australia (Nov. 22), Denmark (Nov. 26), Tunisia (Nov. 30)
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
France person undeniable talent, but volition miss Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante who are injured. Denmark, who had an astonishing tally successful EURO 2020, volition trial Didier Deschamps' broadside successful the radical signifier aft defeating them doubly this year. There are besides off-pitch problems for Les Bleus, with rumours that Pogba enlisted a witch doc to formed a spell connected Kylian Mbappe. Still, the defending champs look favorites to apical the radical and volition purpose to extremity the winners' curse. -- SherShah Atif
GERMANY
Fixtures: Japan (Nov. 23), Spain (Nov. 27), Costa Rica (Dec. 1)
STOCK CLIMBING
Niclas Fullkrug: It seemed arsenic if fractional the federation rooted for Fullkrug to beryllium included successful the squad, and Germany caput manager Hansi Flick decided to springiness him a chance, meaning that Fullkrug could marque his planetary debut astatine a World Cup astatine the property of 29. The gangly striker mightiness go Germany's limb successful games successful which the small-ball benignant is not working, and the deadlock needs to beryllium breached immoderate different way.
Youssoufa Moukoko: The talented striker volition observe his 18th day successful Qatar arsenic Flick granted him a spot aft Timo Werner and Lukas Nmecha had go unavailable owed to injuries. Moukoko fits Germany's attacking benignant successful that helium has his spot connected the crushed and arsenic portion of fast-paced passing plays.
Mario Gotze: The comeback communicative of the twelvemonth has been written by Gotze. His past quality for Germany dates backmost to 2017, yet his performances for Eintracht Frankfurt let him to instrumentality and play different World Cup for Germany. Gotze scored the winning extremity successful the 2014 World Cup final. Perhaps helium tin bash thing historical erstwhile again.
STOCK FALLING
Marco Reus: An ankle wounded has enactment Borussia Dortmund's skipper connected the support erstwhile again. Flick told the property past Thursday that the 33-year-old did everything to "catch the train" but it did not enactment out. Reus was not selected and frankincense misses the 4th large planetary tourney successful his career.
Mats Hummels: The 33-year-old defender spoke of "one of the top disappointments" aft helium had learned astir Flick's determination to permission him retired of the World Cup squad, fundamentally successful favour of Southampton center-back Armel Bella-Kotchap. Hummels has played a decent play frankincense acold but could not person Flick to springiness him different chance.
Robin Gosens: The Inter Milan left-back has struggled to get playing clip successful the Serie A which yet outgo him his spot. While helium created immoderate hype for himself astatine past year's European Championship, Gosens has not been capable to support his banal precocious capable to the constituent of fulfilling himself a life-long imagination of playing astatine a World Cup.
0:37
Gab & Juls preview Group E astatine the 2022 World Cup, location to heavyweights Germany and Spain.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Anticipation was precocious for Flick's squad announcement and, arsenic expected, fans are divided connected whether the nationalist manager made the close choices. Flick's determination to prime lone 3 centre-midfielders has been discussed peculiarly intensely among supporters and journalists. If Joshua Kimmich gets injured during the tourney Germany's chances would alteration significantly, but being babelike connected a definite subordinate is simply a headache Germany shares with astir nations. -- Constantin Eckner
SPAIN
Fixtures: Costa Rica (Nov. 23), Germany (Nov. 27), Japan (Dec. 1)
STOCK CLIMBING
Ansu Fati: The Barcelona guardant was not progressive during the past planetary interruption and Luis Enrique admitted his biggest uncertainty up of confirming his squad was wherever to see him oregon not. In the end, fixed the deficiency of goals successful the squad, helium decided helium was worthy a gamble. Ansu's past 2 years person been ruined by injuries but helium has remained acceptable this season.
Hugo Guillamon: Enrique opted for Guillamon, who has been playing successful midfield for his nine Valencia this season, arsenic Spain's 4th prime centre-back. He got the motion up of much acquisition options, specified arsenic Sergio Ramos and Inigo Martinez, contempt lone having won 3 caps for his state previously.
STOCK FALLING
Sergio Ramos: He has not featured for Spain since aboriginal 2021 but his performances for Paris Saint-Germain had propelled him backmost into the speech up of the finals. However, Luis Enrique opted for younger options, leaving the erstwhile skipper retired for the 2nd large planetary tourney running. "Sergio Ramos champion defender successful the world," PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi posted connected societal media aft the quality break.
Borja Iglesias: The Real Betis striker's exclusion would not usually beryllium quality fixed helium lone made his planetary debut past month, but helium looked to person played his mode onto the level for Qatar. However, contempt his 8 LaLiga goals to date, Luis Enrique opted for conscionable 1 earthy No.9 successful Alvaro Morata.
Thiago: Given the benignant Spain play with nether Luis Enrique is astir akin to Barcelona -- who person 7 players successful the squad -- La Masia postgraduate Thiago should beryllium an evident pick. However, injuries and signifier person seen the Liverpool midfielder autumn down the pecking bid and helium is 1 of the players to driblet retired of the squad that competed successful Euro 2020 past summer.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Spain whitethorn person a young squad but determination is ever a definite level of anticipation successful the state erstwhile the 2010 satellite champions spell into a large tournament. In Luis Enrique they person 1 of the champion coaches astatine the tourney and their semifinal showing astatine Euro 2020 should supply a bully level for doing good successful Qatar.
They are good stocked successful midfield but determination are doubts astir wherever the goals volition travel from and the defence is astatine its champion erstwhile Spain person the ball. They could beryllium tested if they are ever forced to support for a sustained play of the time. All that considered, a quarterfinal tally is astir apt the minimum expected and Barcelona midfielder Pedri is the subordinate to support an oculus on. -- Sam Marsden
NETHERLANDS
Fixtures: Senegal (Nov. 21), Ecuador (Nov. 25), Qatar (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Xavi Simons, Jeremie Frimpong, Noa Lang & Andries Noppert: Louis van Gaal has announced his last chopped past Friday. In his 26-headed squad determination is country for highly talented 19-year-old Simons, Frimpong, Lang and Noppert.
These players mightiness beryllium the astir astonishing names connected the database of Louis van Gaal, arsenic the media are questioning to prime Wout Weghorst, Luuk de Jong and Vincent Janssen who are considered to beryllium the aforesaid benignant of players. It's the archetypal clip for Simons and Frimpong to beryllium portion of the last squad.
The astir astonishing sanction indispensable beryllium Noppert, who utilized to play successful the Serie B 4 years agone and 2nd prime successful the 2nd part of Holland. After helium played precise good for Go Ahead Eagles, fans were jokingly shouting that helium mightiness beryllium considered for the nationalist squad. After helium got transferred to Heerenveen his fairytale became true. Louis van Gaal told the property helium is the lone goalkeeper who is successful signifier astatine the infinitesimal truthful possibly helium tin imagination of making his debut arsenic an international.
STOCK FALLING
Jasper Cillessen & Mark Flekken: Obviously, the players who are missing retired is the biggest taxable successful the Holland. Van Gaal told successful his property league that helium doesn't privation to speech astir players who are not elected, but helium did anyway. Everyone is amazed astir Cillessen and Flekken not being selected. Cillessen -- who was retired of Euro 2020 for unclear reasons (recovered from COVID-19) --- isn't portion of the squad due to the fact that helium struggled 2 games past mates of weeks.
Although Van Gaal told that this is the crushed of missing out, everybody thinks it has to bash with his behaviour erstwhile helium is not the fig one. No 1 understands that "his form" is the reason, due to the fact that for illustration 39-year-old Remko Pasveer is struggling for conscionable a longer period.
Mark Flekken, who got "discovered" by Van Gaal, is missing retired arsenic well, though helium is performing precise good astatine fig 3 of the Bundesliga SC Freiburg astatine the moment. He is the goalkeeper with the astir cleanable sheets of Germany (9) and -- aft Cillessen (79.7%) and Noppert (76.5%) -- the Dutch goalie with the highest prevention percent (74.2%). Players specified arsenic Devyne Rensch, Guus Til, Ryan Gravenberch, Arnaut Danjuma, Donyell Malen, who were portion of Van Gaals past teams, are amazingly not selected.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Van Gaal was precise wide during his property conference. KNVB's people is reaching the 4th last but the 71-year-old manager wants to beryllium satellite champion. That's his idiosyncratic target, similar his players. It volition beryllium his past accomplishment arsenic helium leaves aft the World Cup. Memphis Depay is not capable to marque it for the fist crippled connected Monday, which has a immense interaction connected the team. Denzel Dumfries had to beryllium substituted successful the past crippled for Internazionale. It is unclear if helium makes it for the archetypal crippled against Senegal. -- Max Toemen
BELGIUM
Fixtures: Canada (Nov. 23), Morocco (Nov. 27), Croatia (Dec. 1)
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
This could beryllium the past accidental for Belgium's aureate procreation to triumph a large tournament. With an in-form Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku backmost from injury, they volition look to spell each the mode successful Qatar. Head manager Roberto Martinez led the squad to a 3rd spot decorativeness successful 2018, their champion ever effect astatine a World Cup. The squad volition besides look to Eden Hazard to pat into his quality to interruption lines and disrupt play. -- SherShah Atif
ARGENTINA
Fixtures: Saudi Arabia (Nov. 22), Mexico (Nov. 26), Poland (Nov. 30)
STOCK CLIMBING
Enzo Fernandez: He has had a breathtaking fewer months -- a determination from River Plate to Benfica, hitting the crushed moving successful the Champions League, making his archetypal quality for Argentina. And present the lack done wounded of Giovani Lo Celso could unfastened the doorway for Fernandez to beryllium archetypal prime successful the World Cup.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Bristling with assurance that the agelong unbeaten tally tin beryllium stretched retired each the mode to last connected Dec. 18th -- Tim Vickery
1:51
Gab Marcotti and Don Hutchison sermon Argentina's World Cup hopes aft their 3-0 triumph implicit Italy.
BRAZIL
Fixtures: Serbia (Nov. 24), Switzerland (Nov. 28), Cameroon (Dec. 2)
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
With a scope of attacking options and a blend of younker and experience, they are acceptable to warrant their presumption arsenic the bookie's favourites. The likes of Neymar, Vinicius Jr., Richarlison and Rodrygo volition pb the attack, portion Casemiro volition beryllium a midfield anchor and Thiago Silva volition commencement successful defence. -- Tim Vickery
- Brazil's World Cup squad: Alves included, Firmino out
MEXICO
Fixtures: Poland (Nov. 22), Argentina (Nov. 26), Saudi Arabia (Nov. 30)
STOCK CLIMBING
Raul Jimenez: Despite different lengthy wounded that has near him without minutes since August, Jimenez snuck into Mexico's last World Cup roster aft it was decided that helium was steadfast capable to instrumentality portion successful the tournament. Once a superior uncertainty owed to a groin injury, El Tri's starring No. 9 is present backmost successful the representation and acceptable to beryllium a much-needed game-changer successful Qatar.
STOCK FALLING
Santiago Gimenez: The Jimenez quality proved to beryllium bittersweet for Mexico fans who past learned that Gimenez, an up-and-coming striker who is the existent associated apical scorer successful the 2022-23 Europa League, would not marque the chopped for the World Cup. The 21-year-old is 4th successful enactment successful the guardant extent illustration for Mexico manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino, meaning that erstwhile Jimenez was steadfast capable to beryllium included, Gimenez was retired of the representation for the manager who has antecedently stated that helium lone needs 3 strikers.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
The exclusion of Gimenez is simply a wider motion of Martino's propensity to spell with much elder players implicit promising youthful names. In fact, successful Mexico's last World Cup roster, nary subordinate is nether the property of 23. Leaving Gimenez out, 22-year-old Diego Lainez and a fistful of different younger options volition beryllium a gamble for Martino, and lone clip volition archer if helium made the close decision. One last affable remains connected Nov. 16 against Sweden earlier El Tri caput to Qatar. -- Cesar Hernandez
ECUADOR
Fixtures: Qatar (Nov. 20), Netherlands (Nov. 25), Senegal (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Kevin Rodriguez: The midfielder plays for Imbabura successful Ecuador's 2nd division. He was called up for Saturday's crippled against Iraq due to the fact that the squad did not person capable players available. And helium did truthful good aft coming disconnected the seat that abstraction has been recovered for him successful the squad. There is besides a telephone up a subordinate with 1 of the champion names successful the tournament. Former planetary near backmost Neicer Reasco named his lad aft a salient French guardant of the 90s - and present determination is daze telephone up for Djorkaeff Reasco arsenic a striker successful Ecuador's squad.
STOCK FALLING
Byron Castillo: Castillo is the striking lack from the past squad to beryllium named was close back, and has spent the past fewer months astatine the centre of a contention astir his identity. Chile assertion that helium was calved successful Colombia and arsenic specified was ineligible. FIFA dismissed their argument. But past week the Court of Arbitration for Sport came retired with a seemingly contradictory decision.
They ruled that helium was eligible to play for Ecuador, but that mendacious accusation had been supplied successful his passport. Ecuador's spot successful the World Cup was secure, but they would person to wage a good and forfeit 3 points successful the adjacent acceptable of qualifiers. Castillo limped disconnected aboriginal successful Saturday's crippled against Iraq. Has helium been near retired due to the fact that of injury, oregon due to the fact that Ecuador fearfulness further sanctions if they play him successful Qatar? -- Tim Vickery
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Badly successful request of goals. Since the extremity of qualification Ecuador person kept six consecutive cleanable sheets. But they person lone scored twice, and Saturday's crippled against Iraq was their 3rd consecutive 0-0 draw.
WALES
Fixtures: United States (Nov. 21), IR Iran (Nov. 25), England (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Gareth Bale: Wales' skipper says helium is 100% acceptable to pb his state astatine the World Cup. The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries astatine LAFC this season, but is acceptable to go. Bale is Wales' all-time apical scorer with 40 goals successful 108 games.
"I'm afloat acceptable and acceptable to go. If I request to play 3 90s (minutes), I'll play 3 90s," Bale told a quality league connected Monday. -- SherShah Atif
PORTUGAL
Fixtures: Ghana (Nov. 24), Uruguay (Nov. 28), South Korea (Dec. 2)
STOCK FALLING
Cristiano Ronaldo: In an explosive interview, the Portugal skipper accused Manchester United of trying to unit him retired of the club. Despite concerns that the quality could derail Portugal's absorption astatine the World Cup, Joao Mario said that was not the case, and it doesn't enactment further unit connected the team. Ronaldo volition beryllium playing with United teammates Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, and video of the superstar with Fernandes showed a frosty exchange. -- SherShah Atif
0:16
Bruno Fernandes didn't look pleased to conscionable Manchester United and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo pursuing his comments successful an interview.
AUSTRALIA
Fixtures: France (Nov. 22), Tunisia (Nov. 26), Denmark (Nov. 30)
STOCK CLIMBING
Cammy Devlin and Keanu Baccus: Neither Devlin nor Baccus person been capped by the Socceroos successful a elder planetary -- their lone headdress arriving successful Australia's last pre-World Cup affable against New Zealand -- but some person parlayed beardown seasons successful the Scottish top-flight into enactment by manager Graham Arnold for Qatar 2022 astatine the disbursal of players specified arsenic Denis Genreau and Conor Metcalfe, who play astatine higher levels than the duo but has seen overmuch little of the tract successful 2022.
Mat Ryan: The astonishment omission of Mitch Langerak from the Socceroos' World Cup squad paves the mode for Ryan to service arsenic the unquestioned fig 1 for Australia successful Qatar; back-ups Danny Vukovic and Andrew Redmayne nether nary illusions arsenic to their spot successful the pecking bid nether the existent coaching staff.
The Socceroos S&C Staff: Arnold has backed his aesculapian squad to guarantee that respective players with aesculapian clouds hanging implicit their heads volition beryllium capable to lend successful Qatar: Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Ajdin Hrustic, and Martin Boyle each imaginable starters and each carrying wounded and fittingness concerns.
STOCK FALLING
Mitch Langerak: Based connected some signifier and footballing ability, the determination to omit goalkeeper Langerak defied footballing consciousness and erstwhile Socceroo Tommy Oar declared that it was "an implicit upwind up" and said it "takes jobs for the boys to a full caller level," successful a tweet that was liked by respective erstwhile Socceroos.
Only called retired of planetary status by Arnold successful September, Langerak has seemingly fallen prey to a deficiency of a narration with Socceroos' goalkeeping manager John Crawley, who has an extended past with Ryan, Redmayne, and Vukovic, and the tendency to not perchance situation the perceived pecking bid amongst the keepers union.
Kenny Dougall: While playing plentifulness of lucifer minutes astatine a nine level has proven a boon for Devlin and Baccus, determination was nary specified luck for Blackpool midfielder Dougall, who was near retired of Arnold's broadside contempt playing 89% of disposable minutes for the Tangerines successful the English Championship.
Trent Sainsbury: For each the vigor that Arnold has been placed nether for picking oregon being influenced towards favourites successful definite positions, helium can't beryllium accused of nepotism erstwhile it comes to Sainsbury: the Socceroos' brag leaving his ain son-in-law retired of his last squad of 26.
The announcement of Arnold's 26-player squad, arsenic good arsenic the vocabulary helium has utilized astir it, leaves small uncertainty arsenic to however Australia are going to spell astir things successful Qatar: 11 "Boxing Kangaroos" (the coach's new, preferred slogan for his playing group) exhibiting copious amounts of "Aussie DNA" arsenic they look to physically instrumentality it to opponents and crook games into a contention of wills that the old-school Australian mindset believes it has an vantage in. Their foes are each much high-credentialled and, surely successful the lawsuit of opening hostile France, simply possessing amended players, truthful immoderate moments of footballing endeavour are apt to beryllium delivered connected the counter-attack.
Ultimately, adjacent if Australian shot has ne'er had that overmuch assurance successful its nationalist side's footballing capabilities, determination has ne'er been immoderate uncertainty astir its levels of effort. The question is if that's enough. -- Joey Lynch
- Rogic, Sainsbury miss retired connected Socceroos squad
- Lynch: Squad has manager Arnold's fingerprints each implicit it
SENEGAL
Fixtures: Netherlands (Nov. 21), Qatar (Nov. 25), Ecuador (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Idrissa Gueye: He injured his quad successful Everton's erstwhile Premier League fixture, but contempt concerns astir his World Cup participation, returned to the starting lineup arsenic the Toffees were defeated 3-0 by Bournemouth.
STOCK FALLING
Sadio Mane: The Bayern Munich players damaging his close fibula is the biggest African storyline -- and headache -- arsenic the World Cup draws closer, with the continent plunged into an anxious hold connected the forward's fitness. Original prognoses suggested he'll beryllium retired for betwixt 3 and 4 weeks, meaning that helium could perchance adjacent instrumentality for the process extremity of the radical stage, but he'll acquisition a further MRI scan connected Sunday to supply further clarification. Without him, Senegal's chances of returning to the quarterfinals look slim.
Abdou Diallo: He is apt to commencement astatine centreback alongside Kalidou Koulibaly. Diallo has been named successful Aliou Cisse's 26-man squad, contempt missing RB Leipzig's past 2 matches with a genu wounded picked up successful the midweek warm-up up of the Freiburg game.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Mane's wounded has evidently changed the scenery for Senegal; he's their talisman, the subordinate whose converted punishment won the country's archetypal Africa Cup of Nations, and according to the Ballon d'Or voters, is the 2nd champion subordinate connected the planet. Any broadside would miss his quality, but the Lions present person to re-focus connected preparing for their group-stage run without the Bayern Munich superstar. At slightest the likes of Edouard Mendy, Koulibaly and Gueye are acceptable and backmost successful action, though Senegal request a Plan B to replicate Mane's acquisition successful the last 3rd urgently. -- Ed Dove
0:58
Gab & Juls preview Group A astatine the 2022 World Cup, which contains hosts Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador.
TUNISIA
Fixtures: Denmark (Nov. 22), Australia (Nov. 26), France (Nov. 30)
STOCK FALLING
Saad Bguir: The Saudi Arabia-based subordinate has been grooming with the Tunisia squad since November 6 aft being named connected Jalel Kadri's database of non-Europe-based players, but was informed connected Sunday greeting that helium won't beryllium travelling connected with the squad to Qatar. The nonstop reasons for the u-turn person not yet been disclosed.
Saifeddine Khaoui: Despite immoderate encouraging showings successful Ligue 1 with Clermont, Khaoui was overlooked for the last Carthage Eagles squad. It's not wholly astonishing -- the 27-year-old has made conscionable 1 quality since the AFCON -- but Kadri intelligibly feels the squad has capable creativity without him.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
There were nary large astonishment inclusions successful Tunisia's last squad, with the lone daze having been confirmed earlier successful the period erstwhile 38-year-old erstwhile skipper Aymen Mathlouthi was included for Kadri's pre-tournament training. He hasn't featured for the nationalist broadside for 3 years, but is 1 of 4 goalkeepers included successful the squad. All 3 of the Eagles' goalkeepers saw enactment astatine the 2018 World Cup successful Russia, but adjacent so, to see 4 appears excessive! -- Ed Dove
MOROCCO
Fixtures: Croatia (Nov. 23), Belgium (Nov. 27), Canada (Dec. 1)
STOCK CLIMBING
Hakim Ziyech: The Morocco playmaker inactive hasn't won implicit Graham Potter, amidst ongoing rumours of a January exit from Chelsea, but helium has astatine slightest been getting much playing clip arsenic the World Cup looms. He was fixed a 17-minute cameo successful the nonaccomplishment astatine Newcastle United which, coupled with the 68 minutes helium played successful decision by Manchester City successful midweek, is the astir gametime Ziyech has seen successful a week since aboriginal September.
Nayef Aguerd: Five months aft signing for West Ham United, Aguerd yet made his Premier League debut successful Saturday's 2-0 decision by Leicester City, coming connected arsenic an aboriginal substitute for Kurt Zouma. He didn't look fazed by the strength of the Prem - contempt the Hammers' troubles - and coped good aerially arsenic good arsenic with the shot astatine his feet.
STOCK FALLING
Amine Harit: One of the players returning to the squad nether Walid Regragui, helium volition miss the tourney aft sustaining a superior genu wounded successful enactment for Marseille against Monaco connected Sunday. "It's by giving it your each that you debar injuries," the attacking midfielder said successful a property league earlier the match. "If you get wounded successful the past game, it's destiny and it was meant to be..."
Zakaria Aboukhlal: The winger, named successful the Morocco squad announced past week, sustained a thigh wounded successful the last Ligue 1 crippled earlier the break, arsenic Toulouse were defeated by Stade Rennais. Encouragingly, the 22-year-old has travelled to Doha and volition person further aesculapian appraisal to determine what relation helium tin play successful the Atlas Lions' campaign. There is optimism wrong the campy that, adjacent if Aboukhlal is improbable to diagnostic successful the opener against Croatia, helium could play a relation successful the consequent matches.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Unlike Senegal oregon Ghana, Morocco's injured players aren't undisputed first-teamers oregon adjacent pivotal figures for the nationalist side, and portion disappointing, won't alteration their prospects successful Qatar. Strikers Ayoub El Kaabi and Ryan Mmaee, who contributed a combined 10 goals successful qualifying, are some casualties of Walid Regragui's appointment, and the caller caput manager appears assured that out-of-sorts Youssef En-Nesyri tin spearhead the Atlas Lions' attacking threat. -- Ed Dove
CAMEROON
Fixtures: Switzerland (Nov. 24), Serbia (Nov. 28), Brazil (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: He volition beryllium hoping for a Ballon d'Or information astatine this rate, aft extending his goalscoring tally with Bayern Munich's 2nd successful their 2-0 triumph astatine Schalke 04. The Qatar-bound striker has present had a manus successful 12 goals successful his past 9 games for the Bavarians successful each competitions, a tally stretching backmost to mid-October.
STOCK FALLING
Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui: He was sensationally axed from Cameroon's World Cup squad contempt being the nation's standout centreback successful caller years. He was an AFCON victor successful 2017 and has played successful 9 of the nationalist side's 13 matches truthful acold successful 2022, representing a uncommon root of stableness wrong an unconvincing backline. Amidst varying rumours and allegations wrong the section media, the nonstop reasons for the 31-year-old's omission person not been conveyed by Rigobert Song oregon Samuel Eto'o.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Choupo-Moting's ongoing signifier -- sustained until the eve of the tourney -- gives Song a pleasant occupation arsenic it's progressively evident he'll find it hard to omit the seasoned from his starting XI. However, with Karl Toko Ekambi and Moumi Ngamaleu providing gait and width, Song volition person to take whether to driblet AFCON apical scorer Vincent Aboubakar oregon instrumentality a antheral retired of the midfield to incorporated the Bayern superstar. -- Ed Dove
GHANA
Fixtures: Portugal (Nov. 24), South Korea (Nov. 28), Uruguay (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Tariq Lamptey, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh & Salis Abdul Samed: Lamptey and Kyereh some made the Ghana squad contempt sitting retired fixtures for their clubs successful caller weeks, suggesting caput manager Otto Addo has religion successful their fitness, portion uncapped midfielder Samed of Lens could beryllium to beryllium a invaluable -- if unexpected -- summation to the squad.
STOCK FALLING
Jojo Wollacott & Richard Ofori: Both Ghana goalkeepers person been ruled retired of the World Cup astatine the past minute. Experienced Ofori has not made Otto Addo's 26-man squad aft sustaining a genu wounded during Orlando Pirates' MTN8 triumph implicit AmaZulu, portion Wollacott damaged a digit successful the warm-up of Charlton Athletic's League One gathering with Burton Albion.
"Everyone astatine the nine is bitterly disappointed for Jojo," said Charlton brag Ben Garner. "He played specified an important portion successful Ghana getting to the World Cup and we each cognize however overmuch helium was looking guardant to it. "For the wounded to hap truthful adjacent to the tourney and successful specified innocuous manner is precise cruel."
Iddrisu Baba: The Black Stars volition besides beryllium without their archetypal prime antiaircraft midfielder successful Qatar aft Baba sustained a musculus wounded successful Mallorca's midweek triumph implicit Atletico Madrid. Despite an archetypal prognosis that the 26-year-old would lone miss a week of action, helium hasn't been risked by Addo.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Losing 2 undisputed starters -- arsenic good arsenic the would-be lawman goalkeeper -- would beryllium a large stroke for immoderate federation heading to the World Cup, and the week's setbacks volition person a large interaction connected Ghana's preparation. Addo indispensable present measure inexperienced back-up goalkeeping options Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Abdul Nurudeen successful Thursday's affable against Switzerland, arsenic good arsenic analyse assorted imaginable -- yet untested -- stand-ins for Baba. The latter's wounded whitethorn besides heap further unit connected Thomas Partey, whose ain fragile fittingness volition again travel nether scrutiny.-- Ed Dove
JAPAN
Fixtures: Germany (Nov. 23), Costa Rica (Nov. 27), Spain (Dec. 1)
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
With the Japan the earliest squad to sanction their squad for the World Cup, determination has been small to enactment with regards to squad enactment isolated from the injured Yuta Nakayama being replaced by Shuto Machino. There are inactive question marks implicit the Samurai Blue's imaginable deficiency of firepower up front, adjacent though midfielder Daichi Kamada has been prolific successful beforehand of extremity truthful acold this season. But with Brighton antheral Kaoru Mitoma besides uncovering signifier recently, Japan whitethorn beryllium softly assured successful their prospects. -- Gabriel Tan
SOUTH KOREA
Fixtures: Uruguay (Nov. 24), Ghana (Nov. 28), Portugal (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Lee Kang-In: In the end, Mallorca playmaker Lee Kang-In did get the motion for the World Cup adjacent if helium whitethorn not person received arsenic overmuch playing clip arsenic helium would person liked from South Korea manager Paulo Bento successful caller warm-up friendlies. Bento has stated that the beingness of Lee is not solely for screen successful the lawsuit injured skipper Son Heung-Min fails to beryllium his fitness, truthful possibly the 21-year-old could adjacent diagnostic much prominently.
STOCK FALLING
Um Won-Sang: Um Won-Sang is 1 of the more-talented prospects successful South Korea astatine the moment. There is each accidental helium whitethorn travel successful the footsteps of galore of his compatriots by making the people successful Europe. But for now, helium volition person to hold for different 4 years to look astatine the World Cup aft the 23-year-old was arguably the highest-profile casualty arsenic Bento named his squad for Qatar 2022.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Despite concerns implicit the availability of Son, who could precise good miss their opener against Uruguay connected Nov. 24 astatine the precise least, South Korea tin laic assertion to having a well-balanced roster for the tournament. There is prime successful each areas of the parkland and successful spite of the evident A-grade endowment successful Son and centre-back Kim Min-Jae, the likes of Hwang Ui-Jo, Hwang Hee-Chan and Hwang In-Beom besides beryllium to the precocious echelon of supporting casts. -- Gabriel Tan
1:01
Gab & Juls preview Group H astatine the 2022 World Cup, with Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea warring to qualify.
URUGUAY
Fixtures: South Korea (Nov. 24), Portugal (Nov. 28), Ghana (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Facundo Torres: The Orlando City subordinate was a suprise inclusion, and some close backs Guillermo Varela and Jose Luis Rodriguez tin see themselves fortunate. Busy winger Agustin Canobbio was besides thing of a surprise.
STOCK FALLING
Damian Suarez: The experienced close backmost had a existent accidental of starting astatine close back. But helium ran into muscular problems, and with truthful galore defenders nursing injuries, manager Diego Alonso could not instrumentality the risk. Former MLS winger Diego Rossi is besides unlucky to miss out.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Studying the grooming sessions to asses the fittingness of cardinal defenders specified arsenic Diego Godin and Ronald Araujo. Alonso is surely alert that, successful a pugnacious group, determination is small borderline for error. If helium tin get the equilibrium of his broadside right, past Uruguay could bash immoderate superior damage. If not, a first-round exit beckons. -- Tim Vickery
IRAN
Fixtures: England (Nov. 21), Wales (Nov. 25), United States (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Sardar Azmoun: Having agelong been Iran's biggest wounded concern, Sardar Azmoun was duly named successful Carlos Queiroz's last squad connected Sunday evening -- quashing worries that Team Melli mightiness person been without their Bayer Leverkusen star. Queiroz surely would not person picked Azmoun is determination was a accidental helium could miss each 3 group-stage ties, suggesting a instrumentality to the transportation could beryllium imminent for the talented but oft-injured spearhead.
STOCK FALLING
Omid Ebrahimi: Unfortunately for Omid Ebrahimi, who played specified a important relation for Iran successful qualifying with his accordant displays successful the bosom of midfield, a groin wounded sustained successful a caller affable against Nicaragua has outgo him his spot successful the Team Melli squad.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
The anticipation that some Taremi and Azmoun could enactment up unneurotic for Iran is simply a immense boost, adjacent if that mightiness beryllium travel to fruition successful clip for their Group B opener against England. The 2 Europe-based Iranian marksmen combined should airs problems for immoderate defence. The lack of Ebrahimi is simply a stroke but Iran rather perchance person capable screen successful the likes of Saeid Ezatolahi, Ahmad Nourollahi and adjacent the versatile Ehsan Hajsafi. -- Gabriel Tan
SAUDI ARABIA
Fixtures: Argentina (Nov. 22), Poland (Nov. 26), Mexico (Nov. 30)
STOCK CLIMBING
Haitham Asiri: Still lone 21 and with lone 7 caps to his name, Haitham Asiri was the large astonishment successful the Saudi Arabia squad for the World Cup. Despite his comparative inexperience, the wide attacker has intelligibly done capable to drawback the oculus of Green Falcons manager Herve Renard, who yet plumped for him up of the more-seasoned Abdullah Al-Hamdan.
STOCK FALLING
Fahad Al-Muwallad: It initially looked arsenic though the worst was implicit for Fahad Al-Muwallad aft his 18-month prohibition past May for investigating affirmative for a banned substance was reduced and past deemed to person been served sufficiently. But with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealing the determination and a longer prohibition a possibility, Renard yet decided to region Al-Muwallad arsenic a result.
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
Given helium would person been the joint-highest scorer astatine Renard's disposal alongside Salem Al-Dawsari connected 17 planetary goals, not having Al-Muwallad volition wounded the Green Falcons but possibly not arsenic much, fixed they are apt to beryllium connected the backmost ft against Argentina, Poland and Mexico. -- Gabriel Tan
QATAR
Fixtures: Ecuador (Nov. 20), Senegal (Nov. 25), Netherlands (Nov. 29)
HOW THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING
The hold is astir implicit for hosts Qatar to marque their World Cup debut. There whitethorn beryllium galore anxious to constitute them disconnected but the Qataris are the existent champions of their continent aft winning the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, and adjacent made it to the past 4 of the CONCACAF Gold Cup successful 2021 arsenic an invited team. Whether oregon not they person what it takes to lucifer it with Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador successful Group A remains to beryllium seen but Qatar are much than ready. -- Gabriel Tan
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