As Groups C and D come to a close on Thursday morning, here’s all the latest behind-the-scenes news from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After seeing thousands of fans in Melbourne enjoy the past two Soceross victories in Federation Square, Sydneysiders will finally be able to do the same, with the announcement of two public viewing spots for the upcoming game against Argentina.
Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour and Enmore Park in the city’s Inner West will host the match with the game to be shown on the big screen.
Tim Cahill was always a few steps ahead in his mind while out on the pitch, but this is ridiculous: it turns out that the Socceroos legend predicted that Australia would face Argentina in the Round of 16 all along.
In his bracket, produced for the Qatar World Cup organisers, from whom he is an ambassador, the former Everton man had the Aussies getting through the group along with France – exactly as occurred – and running into Leo Messi in the first knockout game.
Granted, some of his other calls didn’t exactly go to plan: he buttered up his bosses by putting Qatar through over the Netherlands and then past England in the knockouts. In reality, the hosts crashed and burned, losing all three of the group games and scoring just once.
He did get the USA to go through, however, and Senegal, both of whom made it. Paul the Octopus isn’t quite looking over his shoulder for Tim the Socceroo, but there’s hope yet.
The good news is that Timmy also predicted Australia to win this weekend – so let’s hope he’s right again.
Socceroos defender Bailey Wright has revealed he found out about a serious family health issue after coming off the field in the win over denmark.
Wright, who is based in the UK, received a text message from his wife to tell him that her mother had taken a serious health turn.
“I’ve just come in from a message from my wife,” Wright said, fighting back tears. “I just want to dedicate this to my wife – bless her – and her mum. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if she’s still with us.
“It was, for them, a really tough time back home. But ultimately it made this possible for me to be here and live one of my dreams, so I dedicate that to [her]. I hope she’s still with us.”
His teammates didn’t know about the situation, Wright said.
“That’s something I’ve kept to myself, we’ve all got a lot going on. Job to do, isn’t it? You’ve got to be professional all the time.”
“To achieve what we’ve achieved, a lot of that performance and the reward you’re seeing now has been an effort over four years. A lot has been on this journey, and that’s for everyone who has made sacrifices over four years.
“A lot of people wouldn’t have seen those sacrifices – people isolating, being away from family for weeks, months. There’s a lot of people that aren’t here that have put that work in.
“But we’ve always felt a sense of togetherness, that your mate’s got your back. It’s 11 brothers out there, whoever comes on, and it’s pretty special to be part of that. It’s difficult to put into words what it feels like when you’re part of something like that.”
(Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
As Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal side prepare for their final group stage clash against South Korea on Saturday (2am AEDT), the 37-year-old is reportedly set to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo is, of course, a free agent after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent in November after an incendiary interview with Piers Mogan in which the club legend took aim at basically everyone at Old Trafford, including players, managers and executives.
Marca reported the ex-United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward would become the world’s best-paid sportsman on a proposed two-and-a-half-year deal worth an eye-watering A$308 million per season.
An ESPN report claimed Ronaldo is all set to agree to the deal but wants to wait until Portugal’s World Cup campaign is over to sign on the dotted line.
(Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, who are owned by David Beckham and also showed interest in Ronaldo’s long-time adversary Lionel Messi, enquired about the Portugese, as did cashed-up Premier League side Newcastle United.
The boss of the APL also put in a bid, but it’s probably not going to be enough to secure Ronaldo’s services. After all, it’s unlikely CR7 has ever even heard of the Sydney Swans.
Throughout their World Cup campaign, Iran’s on-field exploits have been contextualised by unrest back at home.
Prior to their opening match against England, Iran players and fans refused to sing the national anthem in solidarity with their compatriots who were protesting against the treatment of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who ultimately died at the hands of police after she was allegedly dressed immodestly.
The anthem was then openly booed by supporters in the stands before begrudgingly sung by players who were likely afraid of the consequences of television feeds broadcasting them again shunning the national song before the 2-0 victory over Wales, a high point in Iran’s campaign.
There was also crackdowns by Qatar stadium security on anti-government messaging, with many fans having articles of clothing confiscated.
“Football is one of the only things about Iran that come from the people, but the regime wants to take that away from us. They don’t even like football. Everyone knows that in Iran,” said one Iranian football fan in Qatar who spoke to VICE News and did not wished to be named.
Footage has now emerged of fans purportedly celebrating their side’s elimination from the World Cup in defiance of authorities.
According to VICE, over 400 protesters have been killed in Iran and more injured and arrested.
England star Luke Shaw’s grandmother passed away shortly before the Three Lions’ clash with Iran, but the left-back kept the news quiet from the public.
Shaw was offered time to grieve by manager Gareth Southgate but chose to play on, and revealed being around his teammates and the opportunity to represent his country was helping him deal with the loss.
“She had cancer for a long while and unfortunately she passed away just before the first game,” he told The Athletic.
“But of course Gareth was really good with me, spoke to me and said: ‘Is everything ok?’ If I need to have time away just focus on that. But I’m here, this World Cup means so much to me and I didn’t want to miss anything.”
The Manchester United defender has been preferred at left fullback by Southgate, starting all three group stage fixtures. After a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wales, England topped Group B and will now face Group A surprise package Senegal in the round of 16 at 5am on Monday (AEDT) as the Three Lions look to end their 58-year World Cup title drought.
Teammate Ben White, of Arsenal, has meanwhile left the camp for personal reasons and won’t be returning.
Referee Stephanie Frappart will make history, becoming the first woman to preside over a men’s FIFA World Cup fixture when she takes control of the Germany-Costa Rica clash on Friday (6am AEDT).
The Frenchwoman has worked her way up the ladder, first taking control of professional football in Ligue 2, then becoming a regular referee in France’s top division before she was selected as the fourth offical for various fixtures in Qatar.
The 38-year-old has also been in charge of men’s UEFA Champions League fixtures, World Cup qualifiers and the 2019 UEFA Super Cup clash between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Neuza Back and Karen Diaz will be Frappart’s assistants for the all-important Group E clash, making it an all-female refereeing team.
“It’s a strong sign from Fifa and the authorities to have women referees in that country,” Frappart said about FIFA’s selection of female referees for the World Cup.
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