With FIFA hosting the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, controversy broke out as a lot of football players, coaches and pundits called the governing body and expressed their disappointment over certain matters. 2010 was when the gulf nation was given the right to host the marquee event and ever since, the nation has been subjected to multiple crimes related to migrant workers, treatment of unmarried couples and most recently their criminalization of same-sex relationships.
Gareth Southgate, the English manager is definitely not happy with the recent developments in Qatar. The England captain Harry Kane too expressed his disappointment and will be seen wearing an armband supporting the OneLove anti-discrimination campaign in the entire tournament. In the meantime, Southgate expressed how FIFA is trying to control the situation with their ‘focus on football’ message but he for one is ready to talk about it whenever needed.
“Disappointed – I’d be dismayed if it was something that I couldn’t do anything about. But frankly, I’ll choose if I’m going to speak or not and I’m pretty sure the players will as well. So I don’t think we’re necessarily going to be swayed by that communication. That said, we’ve also got to focus on the football, we’ve got to get the team right, we’ve got to make sure our energies are towards the football, but we will speak when asked, we will answer the questions, and rightly so,” Southgate said after revealing England’s squad for the FIFA World Cup.
England names James Maddison while missing out Tammy Abraham, Tyrone Mings for WC
After a lot of speculation over his form and influence, England coach Gareth Southgate finally announce James Maddison for the World Cup. The former footballer however was reluctant to pick Tammy Abraham who had a stellar season with Roma in the previous year. However, his form may have ruled him out as Southgate called Callum Wilson and Ivan Toney over the youngster.
The defence looks stacked with Harry Maguire leading the force. The think tank also called up John Stones, Conor Coady and others to make it a formidable side. In attack, Kane will be in charge of the goals but his fitness ahead of the tournament remains a concern.
England squad for World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, Nick Pope
Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd).
Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester City).
