We are little than a period distant from the World Cup successful Qatar, erstwhile the big federation volition footwear disconnected the tourney connected Nov. 20 against Ecuador.
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All 32 finalists are making their closing plans for the tournament, hoping that prima players don't get struck down by wounded and caput into the World Cup successful apical form. Away from that, there's plentifulness of players who are desperately hoping to interruption into their country's 26-man squad, which has to beryllium named by Nov. 13.
Each week, 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.
- World Cup finals bracket and fixtures schedule
JUMP TO: England | France | Germany | Spain | Netherlands | United States | Mexico | Argentina | Australia | Senegal | Tunisia | Belgium | Morocco | Cameroon | Portugal | Ghana | South Korea
BRAZIL
Fixtures: Serbia (Nov. 24), Switzerland (Nov. 28), Cameroon (Dec. 2)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 7
STOCK CLIMBING
Vinicius Junior: It mightiness look hard to believe, but Vinicius Junior is not guaranteed a spot successful Brazil's starting enactment up. With a tweak present and there, the squad has 3 antithetic selections. Vini appears successful two, but successful the different -- which is astir apt the astir apt enactment -- helium is connected the bench. His task implicit these adjacent fewer weeks, then, is to usage each Real Madrid lucifer arsenic a signifier from which to proclaim his merits -- and helium surely did that astatine the weekend, with an outstanding show successful the 3-1 triumph implicit Sevilla. A fewer much matches similar that and it volition beryllium hard for Tite to permission him retired adjacent month.
STOCK FALLING
Lucas Paqueta: If past week the wounded interest was Richarlison, this clip it is Paqueta, who is perchance adjacent much important to the team. In those tactical switches, Paqueta is the joker successful the pack, capable to run arsenic an attacking midfielder, a mendacious winger and successful a deeper midfield relation -- and besides astatine centre guardant if required. The rib wounded helium suffered for West Ham has Brazil worried. Neymar, his on-field partner, went to societal media to archer Paqueta that "I request you." The wounded would look improbable to support Paqueta retired of the World Cup, but Brazil are taking nary chances. Next Monday the squad doc volition alert to London to cheque connected his progress. -- Tim Vickery
ENGLAND
Fixtures: IR Iran (Nov. 21), United States (Nov. 25), Wales (Nov. 29)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 10
STOCK CLIMBING
Callum Wilson: The contention to triumph a spot successful Gareth Southgate's squad arsenic screen for centre-forward Harry Kane is intensifying, truthful it was a bully play for Newcastle guardant Wilson to people arsenic his squad climbed into the Premier League apical 4 with a 2-1 against Kane's Tottenham. Wilson, 30, has not played for England since winning the past of his 4 caps successful the 6-0 triumph against Bulgaria successful Sofia successful Oct 2019, but having flooded a fig of wounded problems, helium has present thrust himself backmost successful contention to spell to Qatar.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: The Everton guardant is the subordinate astir apt to capable the slot arsenic Kane's understudy successful Qatar, but injuries person restricted him to conscionable 4 appearances for Frank Lampard's squad this season. However, Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed a accordant tally of games successful October and helium scored his archetypal extremity of the play successful Saturday's 3-0 triumph against Crystal Palace astatine Goodison Park.
Dean Henderson: Gareth Southgate is expected to instrumentality 3 goalkeepers to Qatar, with Everton's Jordan Pickford a certainty arsenic first-choice if helium stays fit. But the contention to beryllium the 2nd and 3rd keepers is arguably betwixt Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale, Newcastle's Nick Pope and Nottingham Forest's Dean Henderson. Henderson, connected a season-long indebtedness from Manchester United, was outstanding successful the 1-0 triumph against Liverpool astatine the play and backmost successful the shake-up for a World Cup spot.
Trevoh Chalobah: With England opening to interest astir antiaircraft injuries, particularly astatine centre-half, the show of Chelsea defender Chalobah successful the 1-1 gully against United volition person done the 23-year-old nary harm successful his bid to marque a precocious surge into the squad. Chalobah dominated his conflict against Marcus Rashford and enjoyed 1 of his champion performances for the club.
1:24
Mark Ogden reacts to the notable absentees from Gareth Southgate's latest England squad.
STOCK FALLING
Jadon Sancho: The Manchester United winger struggled to marque an interaction during Saturday's 1-1 draw. The erstwhile Borussia Dortmund subordinate has made conscionable 1 England quality since Euro 2020 and that came arsenic Southgate shuffled his squad for a 5-0 triumph successful Andorra 12 months ago, truthful helium has fallen retired of the picture. But immoderate accidental helium had of forcing mode backmost into the squad present seems to person gone completely.
Marcus Rashford: He was singled retired by United manager Erik 10 Hag for missing 2 casual chances successful the 1-1 gully astatine Chelsea and helium was likewise wasteful successful the 2-0 triumph against Spurs successful midweek. Rashford's finishing is not simply bully enough, but his gait and acquisition mightiness conscionable alteration him to sneak into the squad to springiness Southgate an interaction sub successful Qatar.
Raheem Sterling: The Chelsea guardant is guaranteed a spot connected the level to Qatar, but his nine means helium whitethorn beryllium losing his grip connected a starting spot for the opening crippled against Iran. Sterling was anonymous and substituted successful the United crippled and has present scored conscionable erstwhile successful his past 9 games for Chelsea.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
This could beryllium a bully week for Southgate with Manchester United defender Harry Maguire backmost successful grooming and perchance successful contention for an quality successful Thursday's Europa League clash against Sheriff Tiraspol. -- Mark Ogden
FRANCE
Fixtures: Australia (Nov. 22), Denmark (Nov. 26), Tunisia (Nov. 30)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 9
STOCK CLIMBING
Ousmane Dembele: Incredible show from the Barcelona winger connected Sunday nighttime against Athletic Club. Dembele scored erstwhile and assisted 3 different goals successful Barca's emphatic 4-0 triumph astatine the Camp Nou. This was his champion crippled of the play and helium is looking crisp and astatine his champion astatine the close time. With Varane's injury, Didier Deschamps mightiness instrumentality to a 4-3-3 oregon a 4-4-2 enactment and helium would person a large relation to play successful it.
Antoine Griezmann: Now that his contractual concern is sorted and helium is an Atletico de Madrid subordinate again, helium is reborn! He was outstanding again astatine the play with 2 goals and a superb display. He is playing up beforehand disconnected Alvaro Morata, a relation cleanable for him and helium is astir backmost to his champion level too.
STOCK FALLING
Raphael Varane: This play has brought different stroke to France with the wounded of Varane. The centre backmost injured his hamstring and volition beryllium retired betwixt 3 to 4 weeks. It means helium would miss Les Bleus' archetypal crippled of the tourney against Australia. Will Didier Deschamps see him successful the squad knowing this? It is apt but his fittingness volition beryllium a interest until the 2nd crippled against Denmark.
Olivier Giroud: After an mean show against Verona the erstwhile weekend, the Milan striker didn't travel connected astatine each successful the triumph against Monza (4-1). It is worrying arsenic his spot successful the squad for the World Cup is not nailed connected yet and helium needs beardown displays with his nine to afloat person Deschamps to instrumentality him to Qatar. Let's spot if helium starts against Salzburg successful the Champions League.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Another week and different portion of atrocious quality for Didier Deschamps with the wounded to Raphael Varane. The Manchester United centre backmost should inactive marque the squad due to the fact that Deschamps needs his acquisition and his leadership. After N'Golo Kante, it is simply a blow. However, wide the French players are successful large signifier arsenic we could person mentioned Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana, Kylian Mbappe, Christopher Nkunku oregon Dayot Upamecano who person each shone successful the past 7 days. -- Julien Laurens
GERMANY
Fixtures: Japan (Nov. 23), Spain (Nov. 27), Costa Rica (Dec. 1)
Squad announcement date: Around Nov. 11
STOCK CLIMBING
Jonas Hofmann: The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder precocious injured his shoulder, and immoderate feared helium mightiness not beryllium disposable for the World Cup. But Hofmann has returned to moving grooming successful caller days and is expected to marque a afloat betterment successful time. The 30-year-old is important to Germany's plans, arsenic nationalist manager Hansi Flick tin usage him successful assorted roles connected the close broadside -- from right-back to close winger.
Mario Gotze: The erstwhile aureate lad of Germany fell from grace years ago, but pursuing his instrumentality to the Bundesliga this summer, helium has regained the emotion from fans. As a portion of Eintracht Frankfurt's energetic attack, the technician tin erstwhile again amusement his bonzer skills and beryllium that helium is inactive arsenic talented arsenic helium was erstwhile helium archetypal emerged connected the nonrecreational country implicit 10 years ago. Gotze has been included successful Germany's preliminary squad list.
STOCK FALLING
Julian Draxler: Missing connected that database is Julian Draxler. Due to his mediocre signifier for a agelong clip and the information that helium has not consistently made the starting XI of Benfica, which person loaned him from Paris Saint-Germain, Draxler is fundamentally relegated to the presumption of "former international." The playmaker erstwhile was 1 of Joachim Low's favourite pupils, but Flick does not look to stock the aforesaid fondness for him.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
The preliminary squad database that has been leaked to the media and volition beryllium slimmed down from 44 to 26 by 10 November includes a mates of intriguing names, too those who are expected to pb the squad successful Qatar, i.e. Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller. The 17-year-old striker Youssoufa Moukoko oregon 19-year-old left-back Luca Netz could beryllium absorbing choices fixed their earthy endowment and carefreeness which, successful a way, mightiness beryllium invaluable successful adjacent games connected the biggest signifier possible. Germany does not deficiency talent, but putting the pieces unneurotic remains a immense task for manager Flick. -- Constantin Eckner
SPAIN
Fixtures: Costa Rica (Nov. 23), Germany (Nov. 27), Japan (Dec. 1)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 11
STOCK CLIMBING
Ferran Torres: Two goals disconnected the seat successful a week -- against Real Madrid successful El Clasico and present successful Sunday's 4-0 thrashing of Athletic Club -- positive a midweek commencement against Villarreal volition person Luis Enrique hoping Ferran has recovered his goalscoring interaction conscionable successful clip for the World Cup. Spain deficiency reliable finishers and lone Alvaro Morata has scored much goals for the nationalist squad than Ferran implicit the past 2 years.
Marco Asensio: Asensio's deficiency of crippled clip astatine Madrid mightiness marque him an extracurricular stake to marque Spain's squad, but he's carving retired a utile nine relation arsenic a game-changing interaction sub which could beryllium utile successful Qatar. Asensio scored his archetypal LaLiga extremity of the play against Elche past Wednesday, and past inspired Madrid's 3-1 triumph implicit Sevilla connected Saturday by creating their important 2nd extremity conscionable 2 minutes aft coming on.
Alejandro Balde: Balde would beryllium a astonishment precocious call-up fixed the contention astatine left-back, with nine teammate Jordi Alba and Valencia's Jose Gaya the 2 starring candidates, but Balde's Barcelona signifier -- starting 9 games successful LaLiga and excelling against Athletic connected Sunday -- is doing him nary harm astatine all. Luis Enrique has a way grounds of identifying and trusting successful young Barca players, too: conscionable look astatine Gavi and Pedri.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Kepa has fallen from being Spain's archetypal prime goalkeeper successful 2019 to not adjacent making caller squads, with Luis Enrique backing Athletic's Unai Simon arsenic his fig 1 and Brighton's Robert Sanchez and Brentford's David Raya arsenic 2 preferred back-ups who excel with the shot astatine their feet. Kepa's accordant performances for Chelsea implicit the past period -- he's started each 7 of their games successful October -- mightiness conscionable springiness the manager intermission for thought.
STOCK FALLING
Sergi Roberto: The Barca seasoned was ever going to beryllium an improbable campaigner for Qatar, with Dani Carvajal and Cesar Azpilicueta expected to beryllium Luis Enrique's 2 options astatine right-back. Sergi Roberto's signifier implicit the past week -- particularly successful the 4-0 triumph implicit Athletic -- mightiness person made him a dark-horse enactment fixed his versatility, but a dislocated shoulder means helium is retired for the foreseeable future. -- Alex Kirkland
NETHERLANDS
Fixtures: Senegal (Nov. 21), Ecuador (Nov. 25), Qatar (Nov. 29)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 13
STOCK CLIMBING
Mickey van de Ven, Svet Botman & Xavi Simons: Van de Ven is the lone tract subordinate of Wolfsburg who didn't miss a azygous infinitesimal truthful acold this season, arsenic helium is 1 of the fastest players of the Bundesliga. Sven Botman, who is skipper of U21 of Holland, has performed good since helium moved to Newcastle United. His physicality proves that helium tin vie with the large names successful the Premier League arsenic the information shows that helium is portion of the apical defenders successful (aerial) duels won. Xavi Simons impressed successful the Eredivisie, arsenic helium is the astir productive subordinate of PSV too cardinal subordinate Cody Gakpo. No midfielder got progressive successful truthful galore goals (11) arsenic Simons this season, wherever helium belongs to the apical conception talking astir created chances, shots (on target) and duels won.
Frenkie de Jong: He has played his 3rd consecutive lucifer arsenic a starter astatine FC Barcelona. Especially midweek against Villarreal helium showed an outstanding show for his club. Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), who is portion of the radical of Louis van Gaal, showed different clip that helium should beryllium portion of the last selection. He scored his 5th extremity of the season, which made him the astir scoring defender of each top-5 leagues successful Europe, arsenic nary defender had much palmy dribbles compared to the close wingback.
Steven Berghuis: He is 1 of -- oregon possibly conscionable the astir important subordinate for his club. He scored doubly and assisted 1 successful the 1-4 win. Brian Brobbey was liable for the 2 different goals. The 20-year-old talented striker scores each 64 minutes (min. 5 goals successful total) successful the league, which makes him the astir effectual subordinate successful the history. Because of the win, Ajax created a spread of 4 points arsenic different competitors for the league rubric dropped points.
STOCK FALLING
Tyrell Malacia: The defender stayed connected the seat for the 4th lucifer successful a enactment successful the Premier League. The Dutch talented defender started powerfully successful Manchester but aft a atrocious show against Man City and Omonia Nicosia, Erik 10 Hag preferred Luke Shaw implicit Malacia.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Memphis Depay is inactive recovering from his hamstring injury. He volition beryllium backmost earlier the World Cup, but radical are questioning if he'll play capable minutes truthful the striker volition beryllium connected apical of his form. Memphis is the astir important subordinate (top scorer) of the Dutch nationalist team. Marten de Roon had to substitute himself arsenic helium suffered a hamstring wounded past weekend. At this infinitesimal it's unclear if helium tin marque it to Qatar adjacent month. Luuk de Jong conscionable came backmost from an injury. He is 1 of the possibilities to beryllium portion of the last 26 subordinate arsenic an interaction sub. -- Max Toemen
1:07
Ale Moreno praises Gio Reyna aft Borussia Dortmund triumph 5-0 vs. Stuttgart successful the Bundesliga.
UNITED STATES
Fixtures: Wales (Nov. 21), England (Nov. 25), IR Iran (Nov. 29)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 9
STOCK CLIMBING
Gio Reyna: The wellness of the U.S. attacker has been connected the caput of galore U.S. fans for the past 14 months, and erstwhile helium hobbled disconnected successful past month's affable against Saudi Arabia aft 30 minutes, those worries kicked into overdrive. But past weekend, Reyna scored his archetypal extremity successful 421 days and played 66 minutes. The show hints that Reyna whitethorn yet beryllium counted connected to commencement matches for the U.S. successful Qatar, wherever his accomplishment connected the shot would supply a boost to the Americans' attack.
STOCK FALLING
Ethan Horvath: Horvath wasn't solely to blasted for Luton's 4-0 nonaccomplishment to Watford. In fact, helium made a fewer archetypal fractional saves to support his broadside successful the game. But his acquisition of a walk to Joao Pedro allowed the location broadside to people their 3rd extremity of the match, and enactment the effect beyond doubt. Horvath is successful a conflict with NYCFC's Sean Johnson for the 3rd goalkeeper spot, and with Johnson looking crisp successful the MLS playoffs, each mistake counts.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
After a brutal September, the period of October has brought immoderate anticipation that the U.S. -- oregon astatine slightest immoderate of its players -- mightiness beryllium not lone healing but peaking astatine the close time. In summation to Reyna scoring, Weston McKennie recovered the backmost of the nett successful Juventus' 4-0 triumph implicit Empoli. Valencia's Yunus Musah, Fulham's Antonee Robinson and Lille's Tim Weah proceed to spot the tract aft wounded layoffs. The lone downer was the information that Tyler Adams missed Leeds United's 3-2 decision to Fulham owed to injury, but the ailment isn't thought to beryllium serious. There are present conscionable a small implicit 2 weeks to spell until the U.S. roster announcement connected Nov. 9. -- Jeff Carlisle
MEXICO
Fixtures: Poland (Nov. 22), Argentina (Nov. 26), Saudi Arabia (Nov. 30)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 13
STOCK CLIMBING
Kevin Alvarez: With reports of Ajax scouts keeping tabs connected him astatine the Liga MX semifinal match, the 23-year-old right-back was instrumental successful Sunday's 1-0 triumph for Pachuca implicit Monterrey that helped propulsion the Liga MX nine into this week's two-legged final. After different standout play successful Mexico's apical flight, Alvarez appears acceptable to warrant his spot successful Qatar.
STOCK FALLING
Diego Lainez: Lainez has present gone 3 matches successful a enactment successful each competitions without minutes for Portugal's Braga. Despite proving to beryllium a game-changer disconnected the seat for Mexico successful aboriginal 2022, a terrible deficiency of playing clip successful caller months whitethorn extremity up leaving him retired of the last World Cup roster. At the moment, he's connected the extracurricular looking in.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Alvarez's latest Liga MX playoff performance, arsenic good arsenic that of chap Pachuca/Mexico internationals Erick Sanchez and Luis Chavez, volition beryllium fantabulous quality for nationalist squad manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino. Although it's unexpected that Alvarez, Sanchez oregon Chavez would beryllium starters for El Tri successful the World Cup, they'll supply much-needed extent successful the aging roster. -- Cesar Hernandez
ARGENTINA
Fixtures: Saudi Arabia (Nov. 22), Mexico (Nov. 26), Poland (Nov. 30)
Squad announcement date: Nov. 13
STOCK FALLING
Angel Di Maria: Out of enactment since picking up an wounded successful the Champions League 2 weeks ago, Angel Di Maria has angered Juventus fans by going connected societal media to station a photograph of the boots helium volition beryllium wearing successful Qatar. Supporters of his nine replied that they would similar to spot him wearing his boots connected the tract for Juventus, and reminded him that the nine wage his wages. But with specified small clip betwixt the intermission successful nine enactment and the commencement of the World Cup, it is small wonderment that Di Maria is 1 of the players who is astir surely reasoning much astir his nationalist squad successful the tally up to Qatar. -- Tim Vickery
AUSTRALIA
Fixtures: France (Nov. 22), Tunisia (Nov. 26), Denmark (Nov. 30)
STOCK CLIMBING
Cameron Devlin & Kenny Dougall: Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine look to beryllium locked successful for manager Graham Arnold's squad successful Qatar, but a operation of injuries and a deficiency of minutes astatine nine for galore of his different midfield options has opened the doorway for Devlin and Dougall to unit their mode into contention.
A regular portion of Robbie Neilson's Hearts broadside this season, Devlin returned from a red-card suspension and won 2 penalties successful his side's pulsating 4-3 nonaccomplishment to Celtic. Despite lone making his Socceroos debut successful September is progressively being touted arsenic a imaginable commencement successful Qatar should Ajdin Hrustic beryllium ruled retired with wounded and Mooy moves further up the pitch.
Dougall, meanwhile, has been playing week successful and week retired crossed Blackpool's midfield successful the Championship and has registered 2 goals and an assistance successful his past 3 games.
Nathaniel Atkinson, Harry Souttar & Ajdin Hrustic: All imaginable starters, Atkinson, Souttar, and Hrustic person been nether wounded clouds arsenic of precocious but the past week brought immoderate promising news.
After fears helium would miss the World Cup with an ankle injury, Neilson declared that Atkinson "won't beryllium retired long-term" and helium should beryllium disposable for the Socceroos successful Qatar. Souttar, meanwhile, got done different quality with Stoke's U23 squad successful his betterment from an ACL rupture and is approaching a instrumentality to elder football.
Hrustic inactive remains nether a overmuch much important unreality but Arnold precocious told The ABC that had spoken to the attacker and declared that "he's precise affirmative astir the ankle. He's already backmost walking connected it."
STOCK FALLING
Jason Cummings & Garang Kuol: On paper, lowly Perth Glory represented a cleanable accidental for Cummings and Kuol to pad their lawsuit for enactment but, unluckily for the Mariner duo, some misfired arsenic their broadside failed to unit absorption goalkeeper Liam Reddy into a azygous prevention successful the past 70 minutes of a 2-1 defeat.
Needing to capable his boots during this aboriginal play agelong to person Arnold to instrumentality 4 centre-forwards to Qatar, Cummings volition present person to bash thing peculiar successful the last 2 games earlier the squad is announced to gain a place. Kuol, meanwhile, volition person important sentiment down his lawsuit but volition request to beryllium amended than helium was against Glory crossed those games to warrant a spot arsenic an inexperienced off-the-bench weapon. -- Joey Lynch
SENEGAL
Fixtures: Netherlands (Nov. 21), Qatar (Nov. 25), Ecuador (Nov. 29)
STOCK CLIMBING
Nicolas Jackson: He extended his good signifier with a 94th-minute victor arsenic Villarreal defeated Almeria 2-1 successful what turned retired to beryllium Unai Emery's past lucifer successful complaint of the Yellow Submarine. The attacker had ne'er started a apical formation crippled earlier this season, but has already had a manus successful 4 goals and -- contempt not yet being capped -- could beryllium primed to marque a precocious tally into Aliou Cisse's squad.
STOCK FALLING
Kalidou Koulibaly: Absent for Chelsea's play gully with Manchester United, Koulibaly continues to retrieve from a genu wounded sustained against Brentford and is inactive to instrumentality to training. The centre-back is expected to beryllium backmost successful sessions from the mediate of the week according to Graham Potter, but is improbable to beryllium risked for the Brighton & Hove Albion crippled connected Saturday.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Cisse volition beryllium encouraged by Cheikhou Kouyate's dependable antiaircraft show successful Nottingham Forest's daze triumph implicit Liverpool, with the towering campaigner a cardinal constituent of the motor country alongside Nampalys Mendy -- steadily returning to favour nether Brendan Rodgers astatine Leicester City -- and Idrissa Gueye. However, Koulibaly's ongoing wounded problems, arsenic good arsenic Edouard Mendy's autumn from grace astatine Stamford Bridge, proceed to correspond large concerns. -- Ed Dove
TUNISIA
Fixtures: Denmark (Nov. 22), Australia (Nov. 26), France (Nov. 30)
STOCK CLIMBING
Aissa Laidouni: The influential midfielder made his Ferencvaros instrumentality aft implicit a fortnight sidelined with wounded arsenic they dispatched Puskas 4-2 away. He registered an assistance during an accomplished comeback, earlier being replaced conscionable aft the hr people arsenic helium works his mode backmost to afloat fitness.
STOCK FALLING
Wahbi Khazri: Arguably Tunisia's champion subordinate of the past decade, Khazri has fallen retired of favour astatine nine level astatine conscionable the incorrect clip for the Carthage Eagles, with caller Montpellier caput manager Romain Pitau not utilizing the summertime accomplishment astatine each arsenic MHSC were defeated 2-1 astatine location by Lyon. Khazri hasn't featured for Montpellier since October 15, and is without a commencement since mid-September.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Khazri's nonaccomplishment of signifier is worrying, not slightest due to the fact that it's hard to spot precisely however helium fits into Pitau's caller tactical schema astatine Montpellier. He's impressed astatine planetary tournaments earlier contempt struggling astatine nine level -- notably astatine the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, portion connected Sunderland's books -- but volition his Ligue 1 inactivity impact him successful Qatar? -- Ed Dove
BELGIUM
Fixtures: Canada (Nov. 23), Morocco (Nov. 27), Croatia (Dec. 1)
STOCK CLIMBING
Thibaut Courtois: There was a clip wherever the backmost occupation of the Real Madrid was a spot of a interest but mean work has been resumed. Courtois is successful the Real Madrid travelling squad to Leipzig and helium is backmost acceptable now. He volition physique his fittingness successful the adjacent fewer weeks to beryllium astatine his champion for the commencement of the World Cup. And Roberto Martinez is happy.
Youri Tielemans: Finally, you would say! After a pugnacious commencement of the season, the Leicester midfielder is yet hitting signifier and astatine the close clip arsenic well, conscionable a fewer weeks earlier the commencement of the World Cup. His extremity against Wolves astatine the play was sensational and his all-around show showed that helium is astir backmost to his best.
STOCK FALLING
Eden Hazard: It is staring to beryllium a wont for him to beryllium successful this class present unfortunately. He inactive doesn't play capable to get successful bully signifier astatine the World Cup. This past 30 days, the erstwhile Chelsea prima has lone featured 57 minutes for Real Madrid. Less than an hr successful a period is bad. He has not played the afloat 90 minutes of a crippled since December 2021. The concern is precise worrying.
Thorgan Hazard: And things are not overmuch amended for his younger member Thorgan either. The Borussia Dortmund winger has mislaid his spot successful the starting XI and lone comes connected for 20 minutes astatine the extremity of games (apart from the German Cup wherever helium started). Is that capable to jeopardise his spot astatine the World Cup?
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
There is inactive a batch of interest implicit Eden Hazard of people but otherwise, things are looking bully for Belgium and Roberto Martinez. Last weekend, Kevin De Bruyne was large with Manchester City, Divock Origi scored with Milan portion 23-year-old Mike Tresor has a superb crippled for leaders Genk against Antwerp. Tresor has been large truthful acold this play and could beryllium Martinez' astonishment successful the squad. -- Julien Laurens
MOROCCO
Fixtures: Croatia (Nov. 23), Belgium (Nov. 27), Canada (Dec. 1)
STOCK FALLING
Imran Louza: Following genu country astatine the extremity of past season, Louza had steadily begun to marque his comeback for Watford earlier catastrophe struck. The midfielder had reminded supporters of his people successful caller weeks, but has again been sidelined aft picking up an ankle wounded against Millwall. The 23-year-old has undergone country connected a breached fibula, and volition miss the World Cup. "Every squad depends connected 1 oregon 2 players, adjacent the best," said Watford caput manager Slaven Bilic. "Barcelona without Messi, Croatia without Modric. There is nary 1 other similar [Louza] successful that position." Morocco volition beryllium likewise reeling from his loss.
Abde Ezzalzouli: Another summation to Morocco's increasing wounded list, the Barcelona wonderkid is present a uncertainty for the tourney aft picking up a musculus wounded lone 8 minutes into Osasuna's gully astatine Girona.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd are inactive to marque their wounded returns for Besiktas and West Ham United respectively, with each week that passes giving the brace little accidental to instrumentality to highest information for the World Cup. At slightest Yassine Bounou -- who made immoderate good saves against Real Madrid, albeit successful decision -- is successful good signifier betwixt the sticks. -- Ed Dove
CAMEROON
Fixtures: Switzerland (Nov. 24), Serbia (Nov. 28), Brazil (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: There whitethorn not beryllium excessively galore players heading to the World Cup successful amended signifier that overmuch maligned Choupo-Moting, with the 33-year-old again delivering different masterclass astatine the weekend. He netted successful Bayern Munich's 2-0 triumph astatine Hoffenheim to instrumentality his tally up to 4 goals and an assistance successful his past 3 matches, prompting Bayern manager Hasan Salihamidzic to moot the anticipation of a declaration extension.
STOCK FALLING
Jean-Charles Castelletto: Dropped from the starting XI aft 1 excessively galore sub-par performances for Nantes, Castelletto was nevertheless handed a reprieve erstwhile helium was introduced arsenic a 73rd-minute substitute -- for compatriot and goalscorer Ignatius Ganago -- with the Canaries winning 1-0 away. The centre-back's superior publication was to grip successful the box, allowing Nice to equalise from the spot via Nicolas Pepe successful the 96th minute. The 27-year-old's assurance volition surely beryllium astatine a debased ebb arsenic helium heads to Qatar.
HOW IS THE COUNTRY LOOKING
There's speech of a caller declaration for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa astatine Napoli arsenic well, but each Cameroon fans volition attraction astir is seeing the midfielder backmost successful enactment arsenic soon arsenic possible. He sat retired the triumph implicit AS Roma, but did astatine slightest instrumentality to grooming past week. Choupo-Moting's improbable goalscoring renaissance -- arsenic good arsenic each helium offers without the shot -- truly could springiness Cameroon different magnitude successful attack, peculiarly invaluable considering Karl Toko Ekambi is without a extremity successful five. -- Ed Dove
1:17
Mark Ogden explains wherefore clubs are yet to amusement involvement successful taking Cristiano Ronaldo connected a escaped transportation from Man United.
PORTUGAL
Fixtures: Ghana (Nov. 24), Uruguay (Nov. 28), South Korea (Dec. 2)
Squad announcement date: Around Nov. 10
STOCK CLIMBING
Bruno Fernandes: The Manchester United midfielder scored his archetypal extremity since August against Tottenham Hotspur past week, and won Man of the Match for his performance. If helium tin present akin well-rounded displays for his country, he'll beryllium indispensable to Portugal's hopes for making it retired of the radical stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo: After being dropped for the 1-1 gully against Chelsea, the 37-year-old is backmost successful grooming with United's archetypal squad and mightiness marque Erik 10 Hag's squad for the Europa League necktie against FC Sheriff. Ten Hag insists that Ronaldo is "an important part" of his squad. For the striker to beryllium crisp for the World Cup, he'll request arsenic galore minutes arsenic helium tin get. -- SherShah Atif
GHANA
Fixtures: Portugal (Nov. 24), South Korea (Nov. 28), Uruguay (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Richard Ofori: Influential goalkeeper and 1 of Ghana's vice-captains, Ofori sustained an wounded successful enactment for South African giants Orlando Pirates past play -- threatening his information successful Qatar -- but returned to afloat grooming connected Monday and should marque the cut.
STOCK FALLING
Alexander Djiku: One of the Black Stars' starting centre-backs, Djiku was withdrawn successful the 26th infinitesimal of Toulouse's 2-2 location gully with Strasbourg connected Sunday, with the visitors' manager Julien Stephan aboriginal confirming helium had a flimsy hamstring pull. Ghana volition anticipation that his premature withdrawal has prevented much superior damage.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Djiku's wounded setback is little than ideal, though successful truth, Ghana are good equipped successful the bosom of defence with Mohammed Salisu yet making his Black Stars debut recently, and Joseph Aidoo and Daniel Amartey some excelling this weekend. Ill-fated Abdul Rahman Baba's instrumentality from wounded -- and to signifier -- for Reading besides boosts the left-sided options. -- Ed Dove
SOUTH KOREA
Fixtures: Uruguay (Nov. 24), Ghana (Nov. 28), Portugal (Dec. 2)
STOCK CLIMBING
Kim Min-Jae: Another week gone, and different week wherever Napoli erstwhile again picked up maximum points to stay apical of Serie A -- this clip a hard-fought 1-0 triumph implicit Roma. And erstwhile more, South Korean defender Kim Min-jae enhanced his estimation with a coagulated show successful the bosom of the Napoli defence alongside Juan Jesus coming up against a formidable absorption brace successful Tammy Abraham and Nicolo Zaniolo.
STOCK FALLING
Hwang Hee-Chan: With Wolves struggling successful the Premier League, the information that Hwang Hee-Chan is inactive uncovering it hard to unit his mode into the starting XI speaks volumes of the dire concern helium presently finds himself successful a period retired from the World Cup. Hwang's spot successful Paulo Bento's squad is improbable to beryllium nether threat, but helium whitethorn conflict to marque an interaction fixed his caller deficiency of regular action.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS LOOKING
Kim Min-jae reaching caller levels of show with each passing week is simply a immense boost for South Korea. Even coming up against the likes of Portugal and Uruguay, Bento's assurance successful them being capable to clasp retired astatine the backmost indispensable beryllium increasing with each crippled that Napoli -- and Kim -- play. It is possibly present astatine the different extremity of the transportation wherever the Taegeuk Warriors are starting to person concerns over, with Son Heung-min besides not successful the top of forms truthful acold this play and the adjacent alternate successful Hwang not adjacent getting onto the transportation for the astir part. -- Gabriel Tan
English (US)