Latest England news from Qatar
By Matt Law
England are optimistic that captain Harry Kane did not suffer an ankle injury after the striker underwent a CT scan and took part in training.
Manager Gareth Southgate has yet to decide whether or not to launch Kane against the United States Friday. But news of his injury was seen as encouraging inside the England camp, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford confirming the striker trained on Wednesday.
“I think he (Kane) is good, a little sore, but he’s fine and he’s on the grass today,” Pickford said. “He’s our captain, he’s been good. He’s fine, yeah.
Kane was sent for a CT scan after enduring a heavy challenge in the victory over iranwhich the player and Southgate were indifferent to on Monday night.
The FA said Kane took part in an indoor recovery session on Tuesday and it remains unclear whether or not the scan was booked as a precaution or because he was feeling additional discomfort.
Even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet in the 6-2 win over Iran, Kane still excelled and registered two assists.
England’s opponents in Group B
Wales reached the World Cup final in spectacular fashion via the qualifying play-offs, having beaten a keen Ukrainian side in Cardiff in June. Victory for The talented Welsh golden generation booked them a trip to the second World Cup final in the country’s history – their first since 1958.
The United States also manufactures their return to the tournament after an absence, although shorter. After failing to make it to Russia in 2018, USA finished third in the Concacaf qualifiers to secure their place in Qatar. The team’s players will be familiar to Premier League fans more than ever, due to the recent influx of American players into the league, including Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson at Leeds, Antonee Robinson at Fulham and American captain Christian Pulisic, who plays for Chelsea.
While Wales and USA could upset the group and jostle for second place, Iran are Group B underdogs. Although a Fifa ranking of 22 suggests they are by no means one of the weakest sides in the competition statistically, preparations have been marred by infighting while head coach Dragan Skocic has been replaced by former coach Carlos Queiroz, who oversaw the team’s group stage. out in Russia.
World Cup schedule
If England win Group B
The Group B winners will face the Group A runners-up – Qatar, the Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal – with the AFCON winners being their most likely opponents.
France are favorites to win Group D, against Denmark, Tunisia and Australia, and would face the runners-up in Group C consisting of Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Poland to earn the chance to face England in the quarter-finals, if Southgate’s men come out of the knockout stages.
Should England reach the semi-finals they could meet Belgium or Portugal, strong contenders in Groups F and H, and a potential final could see England meet Spain, Brazil or Germany.
If England finish second in Group B
This would trigger a clash between the winner of Group A, and if England beat Holland, they could face Argentina or Denmark in the quarter-finals.
In this scenario, if England made it to the semi-finals, their opponents could be Spain, Germany or Brazil, the crème de la crème of Groups E and G, to set up a possible final against France, Belgium, or Portugal in Lusail.
Quarter-final dates
The first two quarter-finals will take place on Friday, December 9 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be played at Education City Stadium and Lusail Iconic Stadium. The remaining quarter-finals will take place on Saturday, December 10 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be played at Al Thumama Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium.
Semi-final dates
The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday December 13 and Wednesday December 14 at Lusail Iconic Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium, with both games taking place at 7 p.m.
Final
The World Cup final will take place on Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m. at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Who is in the England squad?
Southgate has named a 26-man squad for the tournament, including calls for James Maddison and Conor Gallagher.
