World Cup 2022 LIVE: Argentina name injured Paulo Dybala in squad as Spain leave out Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos and Thiago Alcantara have missed out on Spain’s World Cup squad as Luis Enrique opted for youth as La Seleccion ramp up preparations for Qatar. The 2010 winners have maintained a wealth of experience in the shape of Sergio Busquets, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata.

Elsewhere the Netherlands have selected an exciting squad with Xavi Simons the standout pick, with the PSV starlet causing havoc recently as the Dutch giants outplayed and beat Arsenal. Louis Van Gaal’s squad has both strength and pace, while there is also flair running through the side, with Cody Gakpo another skilful option. The Dutch head coach also outlined plans for his players to meet with migrant workers in Qatar.

Sadio Mane faces a race against time to make it for Senegal, however, with mixed messages coming from his country and Bayern Munich. Follow all the latest news and squad announcements from the 32 teams below

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World Cup news and latest official squads

• Sadio Mane makes Senegal squad despite injury

• Enrique announces Spain squad

• Van Gaal names Netherlands squad including Virgil van Dijk

• ‘We will speak’: Southgate hits back at Fifa’s ‘focus on football’ message

• Maddison included in England’s 26-man squad for Qatar

• Revitalised Rashford the obvious choice for England after completing remarkable comeback

• World Cup 2022 kits: Every shirt ranked and rated

Paul Gascoigne advises England how they can emulate his World Cup success

16:00 , Michael Jones

Paul Gascoigne hopes the England players will gel as a team at the World Cup – rather than just counting on one of them to make the difference in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s squad open their campaign against Iran and will then take on the United States before meeting Wales in the final Group B fixture.

Gascoigne reflected on his own World Cup experience 32 years ago in ‘Italia 90: Four weeks that changed the world’, which will will air on Sky Documentaries from 13 November.

Tottenham midfielder Gascoigne had never started a competitive international, so was something of a controversial selection for Sir Bobby Robson’s squad.

Paul Gascoigne advises England how they can emulate his World Cup success

England’s low expectations can help at World Cup, Terry Butcher claims

15:50 , Michael Jones

Former England captain Terry Butcher feels Gareth Southgate’s squad can make the most of any low expectations as they bid to enjoy a successful World Cup campaign in Qatar.

The Three Lions reached the semi-finals in Russia four years ago and continued that positive momentum by making the final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament on home soil, only to lose to Italy after a penalty shoot-out at Wembley.

Despite qualifying for Qatar unbeaten at the top of their group, England have now not won for six matches – which included a 4-0 loss to Hungary at Molineux in June – as they were relegated to the second tier of the Nations League.

Low expectations can help England at World Cup, Terry Butcher claims

Callum Wilson backed to deliver for England in ‘any situation’ at World Cup

15:40 , Michael Jones

Eddie Howe has told England counterpart Gareth Southgate in-form Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson is ready, willing and able to answer the nation’s call at the World Cup finals.

The 30-year-old frontman, who was last capped in 2019, was one of three Magpies – goalkeeper Nick Pope and full-back Kieran Tripper are the others – to be named in Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar on Thursday, although he is facing a race against time to recover from illness to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

Howe, who has worked with Wilson since he signed him for Bournemouth in 2014, has seen him emerge from injury misery – he has twice fought his way back from cruciate ligament ruptures – to take his place on the world stage, and is convinced he has the quality and strength of character to serve his country with distinction.

The Newcastle head coach said: “I would back Callum in any situation, that if he entered the pitch he would be able to score the goals England need.”

Callum Wilson backed to deliver for England in ‘any situation’ at World Cup

Premier League talking points: World Cup looms over final round of fixtures

15:30 , Michael Jones

The final round of Premier League fixtures before the World Cup take place this weekend.

Arsenal and Manchester City lead the way at the top while the heat is on near the bottom.

Here we look at the main talking points:

Premier League talking points: World Cup looms over final round of fixtures

Qatar migrant workers suffered discrimination and wage theft, new report finds

15:20 , Michael Jones

Migrant workers who built Qatar’s World Cup stadiums often worked long hours under harsh conditions and were subjected to discrimination, wage theft and other abuses as their employers evaded accountability, a rights group said in a report released Thursday.

The 75-page report by the London-based charity Equidem comes less than two weeks before the Gulf Arab nation hosts the world’s biggest sporting event, with over 1.2 million fans expected to descend on the tiny emirate for the month-long tournament.

Under heavy international scrutiny, Qatar has enacted a number of labour reforms in recent years that have been praised by Equidem and other rights groups. But advocates say abuses are still widespread and that workers have few avenues for redress.

Qatari officials from the ruling emir on down accuse critics of ignoring the reforms and applying double-standards to the first Arab or Muslim nation to host the tournament.

Qatar migrant workers suffered discrimination and wage theft, new report finds

Phil Foden backed to deliver for England on World Cup stage by Steve Cooper

15:10 , Michael Jones

Steve Cooper knows better than most just how good Phil Foden can be for England in a major tournament and is backing the Manchester City forward to be a star at the World Cup.

Foden, who has been named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Qatar tournament which starts next week, was one of the heroes as England won the Under-17s World Cup in 2017 under Cooper.

He was named the player of the tournament, scored two goals in the final and put in a performance in the semi-final against Brazil where Cooper said he was the most Brazilian player on the pitch.

The 22-year-old only played a fleeting part at Euro 2020, but Cooper, now managing at Nottingham Forest, says Foden is ready to deliver on the biggest stage.

Phil Foden backed to deliver for England on World Cup stage

Gareth Southgate takes considered yet significant risk with James Maddison selection

15:00 , Michael Jones

Strangely, the headline from this World Cup squad announcement was always likely to be the inclusion or non-inclusion of a player with a grand total of one international cap. James Maddison has become the type of English cause celebre that always seems to emerge on the eve of a major tournament, his unpredictable, mercurial abilities providing a skeleton key to unlock defences in Qatar. Given Gareth Southgate’s supposed safety-first nature, many expected that he would be overlooked. Instead, he will go to the World Cup.

Southgate’s inclusion of Maddison is the biggest surprise in his 26-man selection and appears to belie a reputation for standing by trusted, familiar faces. The Leicester City playmaker was the only fully fit player included in this squad to receive a call from Southgate on the morning of the announcement. The England manager wanted to reassure him that, despite speculation that he would miss out, he was in. “We’d decided a couple of weeks ago but weren’t going to tell him then,” Southgate revealed.

It would be unfair to suggest that this represents a sudden change of heart on Southgate’s part. “He’s a good player. We’ve always said he’s a good player,” he insisted, adding that fitness troubles and tactical set-ups have prevented Maddison being called up in the past, but there is no doubt that the biggest difference now is that his performances are too good to ignore. “He’s earned the right,” said the England manager. “I think he’s playing as well as any of the attacking players in this country.”

Gareth Southgate takes considered yet significant risk with James Maddison selection

James Maddison ‘full of joy’ after England World Cup call-up

14:50 , Michael Jones

James Maddison endured a nervous wait to find out whether he had made England’s World Cup squad after missing a call from boss Gareth Southgate on Thursday morning.

The Leicester midfielder was named in the 26-man squad that will go to Qatar after an impressive run of form this season.

There were large question marks over his place having played just 36 minutes for the Three Lions under Southgate, with stories as late as Wednesday night suggesting he was not in the squad, but he is on the plane.

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that Maddison had to phone Southgate back from his office to get the news he was going.

James Maddison ‘full of joy’ after England World Cup call-up

James Maddison: The misunderstood playmaker who left Gareth Southgate with no other choice

14:40 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate’s decision to pick James Maddison was such a surprise that the Leicester City playmaker genuinely had no idea it was coming. It meant the phonecall was one of those genuinely endearing moments, where the 25-year-old was audibly shocked and “delighted”.

Maddison had pretty much written off his chances at playing at this World Cup, or really be involved with Southgate’s England at all. It was even a big deal for his camp that he made it onto the 55. While that offered intrigue, they weren’t all that encouraged it would lead to a full call-up.

The feeling was that Southgate just had a personality issue with the player. The manager hadn’t been all that taken with Maddison when he had him at the under-21s. There was then the withdrawal from a squad for a 2019 match against Czech Republic with injury, only for the playmaker to be photographed in a casino the night of the game.

That, pointedly, had been his last call-up.

Misunderstood James Maddison left Gareth Southgate with no other choice

Netherlands confirm plans for players to meet migrant workers at World Cup

14:30 , Michael Jones

The Netherlands World Cup squad will meet a group of migrant workers in Qatar as part of the Dutch football federation’s continued push to promote human rights at the tournament.

The Royal Dutch Soccer Association announced the plan Thursday night, on the eve of coach Louis van Gaal announcing his final squad on Friday.

“First of all, we are going to Qatar to become world champions, but of course we look beyond football,” Van Gaal said in a statement.

He said that, as a team, “we find it important to meet the people involved. We therefore invite them to our training to give them a nice memory as well.”

Netherlands confirm plans for players to meet migrant workers at World Cup

Portugal World Cup squad: Cristiano Ronaldo selected to play in fifth tournament

14:20 , Michael Jones

Cristiano Ronaldo will play at his fifth World Cup after being named in Portugal’s 26-man squad for Qatar.

The Manchester United forward, 37, leads a star-studded group of forwards that includes Rafael Leao and Joao Felix, as well as midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.

Defender Pepe will also appear at another World Cup at the age of 39, with Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo and United’s Diogo Dalot also named.

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Wolves captain Ruben Neves also make the squad but coach Fernando Santos has left out Renato Sanches, who was one of the breakout stars of the country’s Euro 2016 triumph, as well as the experienced Joao Moutinho.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is unavailable due to injury while the uncapped Benfica full-back Antonio Silva receives his first call-up.

Cristiano Ronaldo to play at fifth World Cup as Portugal confirm squad

Sepp Blatter admits ‘Qatar was a mistake’ on eve of World Cup

14:10 , Michael Jones

Sepp Blatter, the former president of Fifa, has admitted the decision to award the World Cup to Qatar was a “mistake”.

Mr Blatter was Fifa president in 2010 when its executive committee controversially voted to award the hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Qatar has faced criticism over its treatment of migrant workers and discriminative LGBT+ laws, while the tournament also had to be moved to November and December due to heat.

Fifa’s decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar has also been the subject of scepticism after several members of the executive committee who voted in 2010 were later convicted or indicted in criminal or ethics cases.

Sepp Blatter admits ‘Qatar was a mistake’ on eve of World Cup

Fifa 23 predicts winners of 2022 World Cup - after getting last three correct

14:00 , Michael Jones

Argentina will win the World Cup in Qatar - according to Fifa 23.

The Albiceleste haven’t lifted the trophy since Diego Maradona inspired them to victory back in 1986 for a second title in their history.

Lionel Messi‘s side are one of the tournament favourites this time around after a hugely impressive South American qualifying campaign.

And according to a 32-team simulation using EA’s flagship title to play out all 64 matches, they do indeed come out on top with skipper Messi scoring in the final against rivals Brazil and taking home the Golden Boot as tournament top scorer.

If Argentine fans are looking for good omens, the Fifa game has actually correctly predicted the last three winners of the men’s tournament - Spain in 2010, Germany in 2014 and France last time around in 2018.

Fifa 23 predicts winners of 2022 World Cup - after getting last three correct

Five biggest England omissions ahead of Qatar

13:50 , Michael Jones

England manager Gareth Southgate has announced his 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup.

The Three Lions will be led by captain Harry Kane, while the likes of Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice and Jordan Pickford were all automatic selections following England’s run to the Euro 2020 final last summer.

Several regulars such as Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips have overcome fitness concerns to be included, but Reece James and Ben Chilwell are among those to be denied a spot due to injury.

Southgate has also included a couple of late bolters, with the in-form trio of Ben White, James Maddison and Callum Wilson all receiving recalls to the national side just in time to make the plane.

However, it means there is no place for some players who have featured in recent squads, only to be left out at the last moment. Here’s a look at some of the biggest omissions ahead of the tournament.

The five biggest omissions from England’s World Cup squad

A closer look at Rob Page’s 26 players in Qatar

13:40 , Michael Jones

Wales will be playing at their first World Cup since 1958 in Qatar. Here is a closer look at the players who made Robert Page’s 26-man squad:

Wales World Cup squad confirmed: A closer look at Rob Page’s 26 players in Qatar

I was never going to leave Joe Allen out of Wales’ World Cup squad says Page

13:30 , Michael Jones

Robert Page admits he was never going to leave out Joe Allen of Wales’ World Cup squad, even though doubts persist over whether the Swansea midfielder will be fit to play in the tournament.

Allen, who played at both Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, remains a key player for Wales at the age of 32 but has not played since damaging his hamstring on 17 September.

He was among a 26-man squad announced for this month’s tournament in Qatar on Wednesday as Page returned to his Rhondda roots to name Wales’ first World Cup group for 64 years.

“We’re giving him every opportunity to be fit,” Page, the Wales manager, said as he unveiled his squad at Tylorstown Welfare Hall, where he played snooker as a teenager before embarking on a football career that saw him play for Sheffield United and Watford and earned 41 caps for his country.

Robert Page: I was never going to leave Joe Allen out of Wales’ World Cup squad

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

13:20 , Michael Jones

France may be the reigning world champions, with deep reserves of talent to call upon in Qatar, but their performances in 2022 have revealed some vulnerability. After an unbeaten 2021 which culminated in a Nations League final victory over Spain, their latest Nations League campaign was underwhelming, winning only one game of six in a relatively gentle group containing Croatia, Austria and Denmark.

Denmark and France now meet again in Group D of this World Cup, a group which also features Australia and Tunisia. It is one France should win, but they will have a target on their backs and there are pitfalls: the Danes will have no fear after their impressive 2-0 win over the French in Copenhagen last month, while Australia and Tunisia squeezed through play-off matches and will feel they have a free swing at this tournament with nothing to lose.

The French team has evolved from the side that lifted the trophy in Moscow four years ago, and is now without the injured Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. The big challenge for Didier Deschamps is finding the right balance between hardened World Cup winners and fresh blood. The young Real Madrid duo Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni started together in the recent defeat by Denmark, and Deschamps must decide whether to keep faith or turn to more experience – he has hinted at the latter. “It’s a young French side,” the manager commented after the game, “where the majority of players don’t have experience at the very highest level ... there’s no need to worry, having the players with international experience back will do us good.”

France World Cup 2022 squad guide, fixtures and ones to watch

William Saliba wants to emulate Arsenal legends with World Cup win with France

13:10 , Michael Jones

William Saliba is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit by becoming the latest Arsenal player to win the World Cup with France.

The 21-year-old was called up as part of France’s 25-man squad which will travel to Qatar next week looking to retain the trophy they lifted for a second time in 2018.

Saliba revealed he discovered he had been called up for the finals just moments before the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s 3-1 Carabao Cup third-round defeat to Brighton on Wednesday night.

He already has seven senior caps, making his debut earlier this year while on loan at Marseille and continuing to impress having finally broken into the Arsenal side at the start of the season.

It was France’s first World Cup win in 1998 which saw Petit score and Vieira run the midfield as the hosts beat Brazil in the final.

William Saliba wants to emulate Arsenal legends with World Cup win with France

England ready to test themselves against ‘technically unbelievable’ Japan

13:00 , Michael Jones

Georgia Stanway expects England to face a tough test against “technically unbelievable” Japan in their friendly on Friday.

The Lionesses continue their preparations for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year by facing Japan and then Norway at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.

And Stanway, who currently plays for German side Bayern Munich, is excited for the challenge that awaits the European champions.

“I think Japan are technically unbelievable. They’re almost like Spain in the way they pop the ball (around), the way they move,” she told Sky Sports.

England ready to test themselves against ‘technically unbelievable’ Japan

The numbers behind Gareth Southgate’s squad selection

12:52 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate named England’s s 26-man World Cup squad on Thursday, 11 days ahead of their tournament opener against Iran.

Southgate has remained loyal to the players who led England to the Euro 2020 final 17 months ago, with 19 of the 26-man squad retained for the trip to Qatar.

The retention rate of 73 per cent is the highest for any England side between major tournaments.

The average age of Southgate’s squad has risen to 27 – from just over 25 last summer – which is the oldest since Fabio Capello’s selection for the 2010 World Cup.

The total number of caps (820) averages out at 32 per player – also the highest since 2010.

The numbers behind Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad

‘We will speak’: Gareth Southgate hits back at Fifa’s ‘focus on football’ message

12:45 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate has told Fifa “I’ll choose if I’m going to speak or not”, as he declared it “unlikely” that anyone at the World Cup would follow the governing body’s advice to stick to football.

In a letter leaked online last week, Fifa wrote to the 32 World Cup nations pleading with them to focus on the game rather than human rights issues in Qatar.

The Independent has been told that the letter was greeted with derision by national bodies, given that the very selection of Qatar as a host has led to them constantly having to field difficult questions on non-football issues.

Southgate’s responded along similar lines at his World Cup squad announcement on Thursday

‘We will speak’: Gareth Southgate hits back at Fifa’s ‘focus on football’ message

Gareth Southgate accepts Qatar issues likely to remain World Cup talking point

12:38 , Michael Jones

England manager Gareth Southgate believes it is “highly unlikely” he will only be talking about football when the World Cup gets underway in Qatar.

Controversy has surrounded the Gulf state hosting the finals since they were awarded in 2010, with the country’s treatment of migrant workers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships among the issues which have caused the most concern.

Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, wrote to the association leaders of the 32 competing nations last week urging them not to “allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists”.

The Football Association announced in September it has joined nine other European federations in joining the OneLove anti-discrimination campaign.

As part of that, England captain Harry Kane will wear an armband supporting the campaign at the finals this winter, along with the skippers of the eight other European nations signed up whose teams have qualified.

Gareth Southgate accepts Qatar issues likely to remain World Cup talking point

Islam in Qatar explained ahead of 2022 World Cup

12:30 , Michael Jones

Qatar is a Muslim nation, with laws, customs and practices rooted in Islam. The country is neither as liberal as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates nor as conservative as parts of Saudi Arabia. Most of its citizens are Sunni Muslim.

Qatar’s most powerful clan originates from the Arabian Peninsula’s landlocked interior, where the Wahhabi ideology was born. Its national mosque is named after the 18th century religious figure, Mohammed Ibn Abdul-Wahhab, who spurred the ultraconservative interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism.

Visitors to this mosque and others in Qatar are asked to dress conservatively, with men covering their knees and women preferably donning loose-flowing robes known as abayas and headscarves.

Islam in Qatar explained ahead of 2022 World Cup

Sepp Blatter says Iran should be kicked out of World Cup because of protests

12:23 , Michael Jones

A former FIFA president has said Iran should be barred from the World Cup in Qatar amid incendiary widespread protests sparked by the death of a woman in the custody of the state’s morality police.

Sepp Blatter was quoted by a Swiss paper on Friday as saying he would have removed the country from the competition if he was still in charge.

“Iran should be excluded from the World Cup,” the Blick tabloid reported the 86-year-old as saying at a talk at the publisher’s headquarters.

The paper added that Blatter said it was incomprehensible that FIFA head Gianni Infantino had not taken a clear position on Iran.

The protests, ignited by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, pit a leaderless movement made up mostly of youth against Iran’s Islamic Republic regime.

Sepp Blatter says Iran should be kicked out of World Cup because of protests

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe backing Callum Wilson to fire for England at World Cup

12:15 , Michael Jones

Eddie Howe has told England counterpart Gareth Southgate in-form Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is ready, willing and able to answer the nation’s call at the World Cup finals.

The 30-year-old frontman, who was last capped in 2019, was one of three Magpies – goalkeeper Nick Pope and full-back Kieran Tripper are the others – to be named in Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar on Thursday, although he is facing a race against time to recover from illness to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.

Howe, who has worked with Wilson since he signed him for Bournemouth in 2014, has seen him emerge from injury misery – he has twice fought his way back from cruciate ligament ruptures – to take his place on the world stage, and is convinced he has the quality and strength of character to serve his country with distinction.

The Newcastle head coach said: “I would back Callum in any situation, that if he entered the pitch he would be able to score the goals England need.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe backing Callum Wilson to fire for England at World Cup

Uncapped Xavi Simons preferred to Donny van de Beek in Netherlands squad

12:08 , Michael Jones

The Netherlands have included uncapped midfielder Xavi Simons in their World Cup squad, but there is no place for Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek or Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch.

Simons, 19, has impressed at PSV this season and has been selected by Louis van Gaal as the Netherlands return to the World Cup following their failure to qualify in 2018.

Virgil van Dijk will captain the side after missing the Euro 2020 finals through injury, alongside established internationals Mathijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay.

Simons was included in Van Gaal’s 39-man preliminary squad and retains his place, but Gravenberch, Newcastle defender Sven Botman, Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malan and VIillarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma have not made the cut.

Van de Beek was not included in the preliminary squad and despite making three consecutive starts for United the former Ajax midfielder was unable to earn a recall.

Uncapped Xavi Simons preferred to Donny van de Beek in Netherlands World Cup squad

Gavi and Pedri included as Spain World Cup squad confirmed for Qatar 2022

12:01 , Michael Jones

Luis Enrique has named his Spain squad for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

There are no enormous surprises in terms of inclusions, though the likes of Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Leeds defender Diego Llorente and Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias have been overlooked.

Enrique had opted for continuity for the most part during the most recent part of the qualifying and that has been the main theme again in his final selections.

Long-term stalwarts of the national team include full-backs Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba, captain Sergio Busquets, midfielder Koke and striker Alvaro Morata.

But the gradual regeneration of the national team can be seen in both of goalkeeper Unai Simon’s understudies having just one cap apiece - Premier League-based duo Robert Sanchez and David Raya - and three of Enrique’s attacking options having fewer than ten caps, including Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati.

Gavi and Pedri included as Spain World Cup squad confirmed for Qatar 2022

Uruguay World Cup squad confirmed

11:55 , Michael Jones

Here’s the Uruguayan squad for the World Cup with an added congratulations to Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastian Sosa (Independiente)

Defenders: Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), Diego Godin (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Caceres (LA Galaxy), Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Matias Vina (Roma)

Midfielders: Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Matias Vecino (Lazio), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham Hotspur), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Nicolas De La Cruz (River Plate)

Forwards: Agustin Canobbio (Athletico Paranaense), Facundo Torres (Orlando City), Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)

Enrique being criticised for squad selection

11:50 , Michael Jones

Luis Enrique is being critiqued on Spanish radio after naming his squad for the 2022 World Cup. It seems he hasn’t got a much right if the criticism is to be believed...

Spain World Cup squad announcement

11:43 , Michael Jones

Fresh off the heels of the Netherlands squad announcement, Spain boss Luis Enrique has named the 26 players that will represent Spain in Qatar.

There’s no room for Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga or Manchester United’s David De Gea with Brentford’s David Raya and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez preferred in the goalkeeping department.

Here’s a look at the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), Robert Sanchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Jose Gaya (Valencia)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Manchester City), Gavi (Barcelona), Carlos Soler (Valencia), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pedri (Barcelona), Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (PSG), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona)

Netherlands squad in full

11:35 , Michael Jones

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Andries Noppert (sc Heerenveen)

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind(Ajax), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale), Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale), Mathijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong(Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp FC), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Beşiktaş)

Netherlands squad announcement

11:32 , Michael Jones

Louis van Gaal has named the 26 players he’ll be taking to the World Cup. Here’s the announcement video for the Netherlands:

Wales to take Luke Harris and Jordan James to World Cup with ‘one eye on future’

11:29 , Michael Jones

Uncapped teenagers Jordan James and Luke Harris will travel with Wales’ World Cup squad to Qatar.

Birmingham midfielder James and highly-rated Fulham prospect Harris both missed out on selection when Wales manager Robert Page named his 26-man squad on Wednesday.

But Page has confirmed that the pair, who both featured in Wales’ last Nations League squad in September, will join Gareth Bale and company in the Gulf this month.

He said: “We brought them into the last camp and were really impressed. I think it is important now we have one eye on the future.”

Wales to take Luke Harris and Jordan James to World Cup with ‘one eye on future’

Haaland could have played for England

11:22 , Michael Jones

Manchester City’s goalscoring machine Erling Haaland could have been travelling to Qatar as a vital cog in Gareth Southgate’s squad if things had turned out differently.

Haaland is part of the Norwegian national team and has 21 goals in 23 appearances at international level but the 22-year-old was actually born in Leeds, back in 2000 when his father Alf-Inge Haaland was playing at Elland Road.

Haaland’s father then moved to City for three years - which played a part in why Erling joined them this summer - before returning to Norway.

Norway failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup and Haaland says he might have ended up playing for England if his dad had spent more time in the country.

“I lived here [England] for three-and-a-half/four years and I lived in Norway for such a long time, so then it was natural for me to choose Norway,” Haaland explained to Goal.

“You never know how it would be if maybe my father played longer in England or whatever, maybe I would be English, I don’t know. But yeah, I’m Norwegian and I’m proud of it.”

Senegal World Cup squad: Sadio Mane selected despite injury scare

11:15 , Michael Jones

Sadio Mane has been included in Senegal’s World Cup squad despite suffering an injury this week that threatened his participation in the tournament.

Mane was forced off while playing for Bayern Munich on Tuesday as the German club confirmed the 30-year-old has suffered an injury “to the head of his right fibula”.

The forward was subsequently ruled out of Bayern’s match against Schalke this weekend while the results of further tests have determined he does not require surgery.

Senegal manager Aliou Cisse explained upon announcing his 26-player squad for Qatar that he did not want to rule Mane out of the World Cup and wanted to give this year’s Ballon d’Or runner-up every chance of playing in the tournament.

Sadio Mane selected in Senegal World Cup squad despite injury scare

Van Gaal set to name Netherlands squad

11:08 , Michael Jones

As well as the announcement of Spain’s World Cup squad, Louis van Gaal is set to name the 26 players which will make up the contingent from the Netherlands.

Virgil van Dijk is preparing to play in his first World Cup at the age of 31. Will he make it in? (Yes, he will)

Senegal World Cup squad in full

11:00 , Michael Jones

Goalkeepers: Seny Dieng (QPR), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)

Defenders: Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Fode Ballo-Toure (Milan), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis)

Midfielders: Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Gueye (Marseille), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Moustapha Name (Patos)

Forwards: Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Famara Diédhiou (Alanyaspor), Bamba Dieng (Marseille), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United), Ismaila Sarr (Watford)

Senegal World Cup squad confirmed

10:52 , Michael Jones

Aliou Cisse has named his Senegalese squad for the World Cup and despite picking up an injury playing for Bayern Munich earlier in the week Sadio Mane is named in the 26!

Senegal are one of the possible opponents that England could face in the early knockout stages should the Three Lions make it out of the group.

Thomas Frank reacts to Ivan Toney’s England World Cup omission

10:45 , Michael Jones

Thomas Frank defended England boss Gareth Southgate’s decision-making despite Brentford striker Ivan Toney’s omission from the World Cup squad.

Toney has scored eight goals in 13 Premier League appearances this season, with many believing he had made enough of a case for selection.

But Toney’s name was not among the eight forwards named on Thursday, while Newcastle’s Callum Wilson and Leicester’s James Maddison made the 26-man squad headed to Qatar.

“I said (to Toney) these coaches, they don’t always take the best decisions, including myself,” Frank told a press conference.

Thomas Frank reacts to Ivan Toney’s England World Cup omission

Gareth Southgate admits Tammy Abraham’s ‘poor run of scoring’ cost him England World Cup squad place

10:37 , Michael Jones

Gareth Southgate admits Tammy Abraham’s “poor run of scoring” ultimately cost him a place in the England squad for the World Cup.

Southgate preferred Callum Wilson as back-up to Harry Kane when releasing his 26-man squad for the tournament in Qatar.

The Newcastle forward has hit six goals and made two more in the Premier League this season, with Abraham scoring just his third Serie A goal against Sassuolo last night, with one assist.

“Tammy has had a poor run of scoring form at the wrong time,” Southgate admitted. “It’s not a case where we’re three to four weeks away from the finals, we’re 10 days.”

Gareth Southgate explains Tammy Abraham omission from England World Cup squad

Who is in England’s World Cup squad for Qatar 2022 and who missed out?

10:30 , Michael Jones

England’s squad has been confirmed for the World Cup.

With 11 days to go until the Three Lions kick-off their Group B campaign against Iran, Gareth Southgate has revealed the 26-man group that will be travelling to the Gulf next week.

The boss has largely stuck with the tried and tested, with the most eye-catching selections being Leicester attacking midfielder James Maddison and Newcastle striker Callum Wilson.

Maddison’s only England cap came as a substitute against Montenegro in November 2019 - the last squad four-cap Wilson was involved in.

Here’s who made the cut for Qatar:

Who is in England’s World Cup squad and who missed out?

Enrique to announce Spain squad

10:22 , Michael Jones

Spain’s manager Luis Enrique is set to announce the 26 players who have made it into the World Cup squad later today. The announcement is set for 12.30 - probably CET - which is just under an hour and a half away.

England expects but can Gareth Southgate’s stuttering side deliver at World Cup?

10:15 , Michael Jones

England expects but doubts over Gareth Southgate’s ability to lead the country to World Cup glory have never been greater than in the build-up to Qatar.

Four years ago the waistcoat-clad head coach led the national team on a run to the semi-finals in Russia that was as remarkable as it was surprising.

The following summer England won bronze at the inaugural Nations League finals in Portugal and last year the men’s national team got closer to glory than at other any time since 1966.

A solid base provided the platform for a run to the European Championship final against Italy at Wembley, where penalties proved an all too familiar roadblock to success.

It was a case of so close yet so far for Southgate’s Three Lions, who head to the Gulf next week on a winless run that is longer than any predecessor heading into a major tournament.

England expects but can Gareth Southgate’s stuttering side deliver at World Cup?

England boss Gareth Southgate hopes Marcus Rashford can keep improving in Qatar

10:08 , Michael Jones

England manager Gareth Southgate believes Marcus Rashford is once again enjoying his football and says there could still be more to come after he recalled the Manchester United forward for the World Cup.

Rashford, 25, has not featured for England since he missed his penalty in the Euro 2020 final shoot-out defeat to Italy, with his club form deserting him last season.

Having played just 84 minutes of the Euros, Rashford returned to United and – in a poor season for the club – contributed just five goals from 32 appearances across all competitions.

Surgery following the Euros did not help his cause and Southgate revealed he had spoken with the forward after being frustrated at being unable to select him.

England boss Gareth Southgate hopes Marcus Rashford can keep improving in Qatar

James Maddison: The misunderstood playmaker who left Gareth Southgate with no other choice

10:00 , Karl Matchett

Gareth Southgate’s decision to pick James Maddison was such a surprise that the Leicester City playmaker genuinely had no idea it was coming. It meant the phonecall was one of those genuinely endearing moments, where the 25-year-old was audibly shocked and “delighted”. Maddison had pretty much written off his chances at playing at this World Cup, or really be involved with Southgate’s England at all. It was even a big deal for his camp that he made it onto the 55. While that offered intrigue, they weren’t all that encouraged it would lead to a full call-up.

The feeling was that Southgate just had a personality issue with the player. The manager hadn’t been all that taken with Maddison when he had him at the under-21s. There was then the withdrawal from a squad for a 2019 match against Czech Republic with injury, only for the playmaker to be photographed in a casino the night of the game.

That, pointedly, had been his last call-up.

Southgate denied any of this influenced his thinking. “I’ve always said it was football reasons for not selecting him and in the main the capabilities of others in the group and that’s the case.”

More here on Maddison from Miguel Delaney:

Misunderstood James Maddison left Gareth Southgate with no other choice

Paul Gascoigne advises England how they can emulate his World Cup success

09:50 , Michael Jones

Paul Gascoigne hopes the England players will gel as a team at the World Cup – rather than just counting on one of them to make the difference in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s squad open their campaign against Iran and will then take on the United States before meeting Wales in the final Group B fixture.

Gascoigne reflected on his own World Cup experience 32 years ago in ‘Italia 90: Four weeks that changed the world’, which will will air on Sky Documentaries from 13 November.

Tottenham midfielder Gascoigne had never started a competitive international, so was something of a controversial selection for Sir Bobby Robson’s squad.

Paul Gascoigne advises England how they can emulate his World Cup success

England’s low expectations can help at World Cup, Terry Butcher claims

09:42 , Michael Jones

Former England captain Terry Butcher feels Gareth Southgate’s squad can make the most of any low expectations as they bid to enjoy a successful World Cup campaign in Qatar.

The Three Lions reached the semi-finals in Russia four years ago and continued that positive momentum by making the final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament on home soil, only to lose to Italy after a penalty shoot-out at Wembley.

Despite qualifying for Qatar unbeaten at the top of their group, England have now not won for six matches – which included a 4-0 loss to Hungary at Molineux in June – as they were relegated to the second tier of the Nations League.

At the 1990 World Cup, Butcher took over the captaincy following injury to Bryan Robson during the group stage.

Low expectations can help England at World Cup, Terry Butcher claims

Portugal World Cup squad: Cristiano Ronaldo selected to play in fifth tournament

09:34 , Michael Jones

Cristiano Ronaldo will play at his fifth World Cup after being named in Portugal’s 26-man squad for Qatar.

The Manchester United forward, 37, leads a star-studded group of forwards that includes Rafael Leao and Joao Felix, as well as midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.

Defender Pepe will also appear at another World Cup at the age of 39, with Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo and United’s Diogo Dalot also named.

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Wolves captain Ruben Neves also make the squad but coach Fernando Santos has left out Renato Sanches, who was one of the breakout stars of the country’s Euro 2016 triumph, as well as the experienced Joao Moutinho.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is unavailable due to injury while the uncapped Benfica full-back Antonio Silva receives his first call-up.

Cristiano Ronaldo to play at fifth World Cup as Portugal confirm squad

Virgil van Dijk not haunted by injury nightmare as first major tournament nears

09:27 , Michael Jones

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk insists he is not haunted by his Euro 2020 injury heartbreak as the countdown begins to his first World Cup.

The Netherlands captain, whose country’s failure to qualify for Russia in 2018 followed a similar fate for the European Championship two years previously, has yet to play in a major tournament.

A knee injury in a Merseyside derby in October 2020 meant he missed the Covid-delayed 2020 Euros so, at the age of 31, Qatar could potentially be his one and only chance to feature in a World Cup.

But the Dutchman has no apprehension about the next couple of months and will certainly not be holding back in club matches in an attempt to safeguard his immediate future.

Virgil van Dijk not haunted by injury nightmare as first major tournament nears

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

09:20 , Michael Jones

It’s been eight long years since the Netherlands last played a World Cup match, a 3-0 victory over Brazil that earned them the honour of third place in 2014. They return now with the same manager, Louis van Gaal, whose tactics made the Dutch one of the most entertaining teams in Brazil, but the trail left behind by his subsequent successors and then predecessors largely explains why the time in between their last World Cup appearances has been so long, as well as chaotic.

Missing out on Euro 2016 under Guus Hiddkink was followed by their failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup under Dick Advocaat, as well as much soul-searching. The Netherlands seemed to regain their spark under Ronald Koeman and swiftly reached Euro 2020, but his departure to Barcelona left them in a lurch. The Dutch failed to impress on their return to a major tournament and there was little surprise when Frank de Boer departed just two days after their tepid round of 16 defeat to the Czech Republic.

And so up stepped Van Gaal, for his third spell in charge of the national team and first job since leaving Manchester United in 2016. Van Gaal - who earlier this year underwent a successful operation on an aggressive form of prostate cancer - inherited a squad that is less polished than the late golden era of 2014, but still one that is loaded with star talent. Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt will feature at a World Cup for the first time and under Van Gaal, the Netherlands have rediscovered some of their joy, too.

Netherlands World Cup 2022 squad guide, fixtures and ones to watch

Phil Foden backed to deliver for England on World Cup stage

09:14 , Karl Matchett

Steve Cooper knows better than most just how good Phil Foden can be for England in a major tournament and is backing the Manchester City forward to be a star at the World Cup.

Foden, who has been named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Qatar tournament which starts next week, was one of the heroes as England won the Under-17s World Cup in 2017 under Cooper.

He was named the player of the tournament, scored two goals in the final and put in a performance in the semi-final against Brazil where Cooper said he was the most Brazilian player on the pitch.

The 22-year-old only played a fleeting part at Euro 2020, but Cooper, now managing at Nottingham Forest, says Foden is ready to deliver on the biggest stage.

“There is no doubting Phil’s ability, he is showing now at Man City that he can produce on a big stage and he was doing that for England with my time with him,” Cooper said.

More here on one of England’s big hopes:

Phil Foden backed to deliver for England on World Cup stage

James Maddison ‘full of joy’ after England World Cup call-up

09:06 , Karl Matchett

James Maddison endured a nervous wait to find out whether he had made England’s World Cup squad after missing a call from boss Gareth Southgate on Thursday morning.

The Leicester midfielder was named in the 26-man squad that will go to Qatar after an impressive run of form this season.

There were large question marks over his place having played just 36 minutes for the Three Lions under Southgate, with stories as late as Wednesday night suggesting he was not in the squad, but he is on the plane.

Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that Maddison had to phone Southgate back from his office to get the news he was going.

James Maddison ‘full of joy’ after England World Cup call-up

World Cup 2022 squads: Latest news on all 832 players heading to Qatar

08:58 , Karl Matchett

The World Cup 2022 in Qatar is upon us and all 32 teams are in the process of naming their squads, with each country allowed to select a 26-man group for the first time.

It means there will be 832 players heading to the first winter World Cup, with a deadline of Monday 14 November to submit the squads - just seven days before the tournament begins with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador.

Gareth Southgate will name his England group on Thursday afternoon, with debate currently ongoing over a number of the spots, while other countries’ announcements will filter through across the week.

The race to succeed France as world champions is about to heat up.

Here’s a full list of the players heading to Qatar and all the info you need about each team.

World Cup 2022 squads: Latest news on all 832 players heading to Qatar

World Cup 2022 kits: Every shirt ranked and rated

08:40 , Jack Rathborn

The Qatar World Cup is nearly upon us, and that means an array of delightful/grotesque international football shirts for us to enjoy/convulse over.

What do we think of Portugal’s bold diagonal stripe? Who has picked a mesmerising shade of red? Why have Argentina dressed like they need 144 off 20 overs? Is that... is that Jafar? Please do share your opinions in the comments below.

Here are the World Cup 2022 kits, ranked and rated from worst to best:

World Cup 2022 kits: Every shirt ranked and rated

Gareth Southgate explains what ‘different’ James Maddison will offer England at World Cup

08:35 , Jack Rathborn

Gareth Southgate says James Maddison earned his spot on the plane after the England manager surprised many onlookers by selecting him for the World Cup and ending the midfielder’s three-year international absence.

With just 11 days to go until their Group B opener against Iran, the Three Lions boss largely stuck with the tried and tested while still managing to make some eye-catching decisions on his squad for Qatar.

Maddison had apparently resigned himself to missing out on the 26-man group, only for the Leicester player to receive a call from Southgate on Thursday morning informing him he would be heading to the Gulf state.

Gareth Southgate explains what ‘different’ James Maddison will offer England

Gareth Southgate takes considered yet significant risk with James Maddison selection

08:30 , Jack Rathborn

Strangely, the headline from this World Cup squad announcement was always likely to be the inclusion or non-inclusion of a player with a grand total of one international cap. James Maddison has become the type of English cause celebre that always seems to emerge on the eve of a major tournament, his unpredictable, mercurial abilities providing a skeleton key to unlock defences in Qatar. Given Gareth Southgate’s supposed safety-first nature, many expected that he would be overlooked. Instead, he will go to the World Cup.

Southgate’s inclusion of Maddison is the biggest surprise in his 26-man selection and appears to belie a reputation for standing by trusted, familiar faces. The Leicester City playmaker was the only fully fit player included in this squad to receive a call from Southgate on the morning of the announcement. The England manager wanted to reassure him that, despite speculation that he would miss out, he was in. “We’d decided a couple of weeks ago but weren’t going to tell him then,” Southgate revealed.

It would be unfair to suggest that this represents a sudden change of heart on Southgate’s part. “He’s a good player. We’ve always said he’s a good player,” he insisted, adding that fitness troubles and tactical set-ups have prevented Maddison being called up in the past, but there is no doubt that the biggest difference now is that his performances are too good to ignore. “He’s earned the right,” said the England manager. “I think he’s playing as well as any of the attacking players in this country.”

Revitalised Marcus Rashford the obvious choice for England after completing remarkable comeback

08:25 , Jack Rathborn

The call-up came in the morning, the goal in the evening. Marcus Rashford’s career is sufficiently stellar that he has had better days but not too many, and certainly not recently. His renaissance and rejuvenation were rubber-stamped by Gareth Southgate, naming him in England’s World Cup squad. A different sort of comeback featured a Rashford equaliser: twice behind against Aston Villa, Manchester United triumphed 4-2 by offering the kind of visceral entertainment that has characterised Rashford at his best.

His combination of pace and potency, his direct, high-speed running has meant that, from his debut, Rashford felt a player in United’s truest traditions, and not merely because he has helped extend the record of an academy graduate figuring in a first-team squad every match for 85 years. Perhaps it was uncoincidental that United’s worst season for more than three decades was the poorest of Rashford’s career.

If few are advocates for a winter World Cup, Rashford may be in that select band. Rewind to June and he had no goal in 15 games and no spot in the England squad. He had only scored twice under Ralf Rangnick. He felt unselectable. Regime change has brought a shift in fortunes. “When we start the season, he wasn’t [picked by England], so it is really important,” said Erik ten Hag. He ignored his own role in Rashford’s revival, merely noting that: “In this moment we have a lot of players who are nominated for the World Cup and that is good for Manchester United.”

Revitalised Marcus Rashford the obvious choice for England after completing comeback

‘We will speak’: Gareth Southgate hits back at Fifa’s ‘focus on football’ message

08:00 , Jack Rathborn

Gareth Southgate has told Fifa “I’ll choose if I’m going to speak or not”, as he declared it “unlikely” that anyone at the World Cup would follow the governing body’s advice to stick to football.

In a letter leaked online last week, Fifa wrote to the 32 World Cup nations pleading with them to focus on the game rather than human rights issues in Qatar.

The Independent has been told that the letter was greeted with derision by national bodies, given that the very selection of Qatar as a host has led to them constantly having to field difficult questions on non-football issues.

‘We will speak’: Gareth Southgate hits back at Fifa’s ‘focus on football’ message

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

07:52 , Jack Rathborn

A decade after winning their last major title, Spain enter this winter’s World Cup with their eyes on the prize.

Spain’s victory at Euro 2012 capped off a remarkable three-peat of trophy wins, which took in the 2008 European championship – their first triumph since 1964 – and the 2010 World Cup, where a golden generation secured the nation’s first world title.

La Roja then disappointed in 2014, however, succumbing to the recent world title-defence curse of exiting the next World Cup in the group stage, before putting in underwhelming efforts at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup to bow out in the last 16 on both occasions.

Spain World Cup 2022 squad guide, fixtures and ones to watch

Gareth Southgate accepts Qatar issues likely to remain World Cup talking point

07:50 , Jack Rathborn

England manager Gareth Southgate believes it is “highly unlikely” he will only be talking about football when the World Cup gets underway in Qatar.

Controversy has surrounded the Gulf state hosting the finals since they were awarded in 2010, with the country’s treatment of migrant workers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships among the issues which have caused the most concern.

Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, wrote to the association leaders of the 32 competing nations last week urging them not to “allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists”.

Gareth Southgate accepts Qatar issues likely to remain World Cup talking point