The World Cup begins in Qatar TODAY, and ESPN will cover the biggest sporting event in the world.
In front of the opening table between the hosts Cata and Ecuador (11am ET/4pm GMT), we’ve got tons of great previews and readings to get you all ready. Start with us World Cup 2022 guide details of major stars (including Lionel Messi and cristiano ronaldo), lovers (Argentina, France, Brazil) and important games to circle on your calendar (obviously USA–England Next Friday).
Remember to subscribe to ESPN during the tournament as we bring the latest from Qatar. Let’s go into it.
– News, features, previews of the World Cup, etc.
– Stream FC Daily and Futbol Americas on ESPN+
News and Notes
– French striker Karim Benzema was eliminated from the World Cup after injuring his left thigh during Saturday’s training session in Doha.
– Bayern Munich star, Alphonso Davies Still an injury doubt for Canada’s World Cup opener against Belgium on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury earlier this month. Canada coach John Herdman said Davies is “still aiming for top speed. But he hasn’t reached that top speed yet.”
– FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemn the “hypocrisy” of Europe in the incredible speech defending Qatar.
– Beer bait and switch? A big reversal for fans attending games as World Cup organizers Ban the sale of alcohol around the stadium.
– Take it easy, Spain fan. Luis Enrique’s players will sleep in specially designed mattress pad with the hope that a good night’s sleep will help them compete successfully in the tournament.
The best from today
Pitfalls in the speech of FIFA President Infantino before the Qatar World Cup
Infantino’s monologue addressed criticism and issues related to the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, but the tone was deafening and detached.
Which players need a big World Cup?
The most prestigious league in football is the place to shine if you have transfer hopes, want to prove something with your current club or even just want to finish your career on top. .
What’s on the machine?
– Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has warned that ‘the internet is very dangerous’ and insists his team is unaffected by speculation about the integrity of the World Cup as they prepare for Sunday’s opening game against Ecuador.
– Bernardo Silva affirms the consequences of Cristiano Ronaldo with Manchester United is not a distraction for Portugal. Asked about the mood in the camp and whether he would support the 37-year-old, he said: “Top, top, top. The news coming from England has nothing to do with the national team. so i won’t say anything it has nothing to do with me I’m a Manchester United player, I won’t answer that either because we’re in the national team so I won’t talk about it.”
– United States men’s national team duo Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest declared they were ready to go for Monday’s World Cup opening match against Wales. McKennie has had to be treated for a quadriplegia over the past few weeks, but with Juventus and United States clubs working together to monitor the midfielder’s progress, he has gradually built up his fitness. Similarly, Dest suffers from muscle fatigue and has even trained indoors outside of his American teammates since arriving in Qatar.
1:09
Sam Borden wonders what else could change in Qatar after beer sales at stadiums were reversed at the last minute.
What catches our eye
Watch part of Gianni Infantino’s incredible press conference here.
1:15
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says Europe should “apologise in the next 3,000 years” for past mistakes.
And see what ESPN reporter James Olley thought of it all…
1:49
James Olley summarizes a remarkable speech by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in which he criticized the “hypocrisy” of countries that criticize Qatar.
– O’Hanlon: How to understand the World Cup 2022 (ESPN+)
read aloud
Is Qatar hosting the World Cup for the sake of “cleansing sports” or are there more subtle and layered reasons for hosting FIFA’s premier tournament? ESPN’s Mark Ogden and Kyle Bonagura spoke to experts about the motives behind the controversial decision.
More: Bill Connelly has a big question for all 32 teams entering their first match.
Your best bet (odds via Caesars Sportsbook)
See how to really bet on soccer games as Paul Carr, ESPN contributor, gives you key tips about odds, options and futures.
Here’s what we got for the first two days of competition.
GROUP A
Cata (+235) vs. Ecuador (+130), Draw +205
Dalen cuff: Usually, the host country is a tough and potentially disruptive opponent (Russia this was again shown in 2018 when reaching the quarterfinals). Qatar has been playing together since September after the domestic league was suspended, but I think Ecuador is a physical, fast team that can give the ball to the home team but counter-attack well. I like Ecuador +130.
Paul Carre: I don’t know what to expect from Qatar. I agree with Dalen that Ecuador is better and I just don’t know how the crowd or the teams will react. I will wait for the second game to place my money on a Qatar match.
Knit Thomas: It’s going to be a bad game, but I have a feeling that with the home advantage and the fact that they’ve spent more time together than the other, I’ll go to Qatar. Qatar 1-0 Ecuador.
Netherlands (-160) vs Senegal (+500), Draw +255
Cuff; wristband: The Netherlands looks much better than Euro 2020 just over 15 months ago. No Sadio’s mane is a dagger for Senegal. I think the Netherlands will play, I will score more than 2.5 goals (+115).
Carr: I would stay away from this one in Mane’s absence, but the +500 price tag for Senegal is certainly attractive for a team that still prioritizes defense.
Thomas: I think this could be a close relationship. I’m not sure where the goals will come from either side. I’ll take the bottom in this one. Netherlands 1-0 Senegal.
GROUP OF CHILDREN
England (-290) vs Iran (+1000), Draw +340
Carr: Can I place a bottom bet on every match in this group? Maybe not, but I like under 2.5 goals here (-150). Iran have conceded 5 goals in 14 qualifying matches and only conceded 1 goal per game Spain and Portugal four years ago. England’s three group stage games at Euro last year totaled two goals, so until Gareth Southgate shows that he’s going to use all of England’s attacking talents, I won’t. pick the bottom team in England matches.
Cuff; wristband: I will go on to say, I am blurring England. That said, their defensive approach against an inferior opponent should result in a win, but not much form and might just score a goal. There’s not much value here, and I don’t like the game, but I’ll pick England win 0 (-128).
Thomas: I do not have high hopes for England to go far in this tournament. However, given the weakness of the teams around them in the group, I think they will make it through the qualifiers with ease, starting with an easy win over Iran in the opening match. Harry Kane to score at any time (-110) like a layout. England 3-0 Iran.
USA (+160) vs. Wales (+200), Draw +190
Carr: I hope this is not my bias towards the Americans, but the US simply has more attacking options than Wales, notably a quality winger quartet (Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Giovanni Reyna, Timothy Weah). Because of that, and Wales’ defense is not as good as you might think, having conceded an expected 1.2 goals per game in qualifying, I’d go for the USA Draw No at -135.
Cuff; wristband: Bias warning! It’s been eight years since watching the US attend a World Cup match. I can see this as a low point. The young attacking talents have not appeared together in their last few friendlies. Wales is not a mobile attacking team, relying on the brilliance of Gareth Bale or cross search Kieffer Moorethe head. There’s no point in playing underpowered or both teams failing to score. An unbiased move could be a Draw +190 or even Wales Draw No Bets +105. But there is no emotional barrier here — USA wins (+160).
Thomas: I know I don’t sell it very well. But I prefer a 0-0 draw here.
