FIFA World Cup: Latest team and injury news, Son Heung-min concerns
Former England great Jamie Carragher is no fan of the Qatar World Cup, and this latest injury news out of the EPL is just one reason why.
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The Qatar World Cup was always going to throw up unexpected curveballs – but just three weeks out from the first game, we’re starting to get a clearer picture on just how wild it is going to be.
England great Jamie Carragher has been a vocal critic of the tournament being awarded to Qatar and on Thursday declared it was an “absolute disgrace” that minor injuries could destroy entire campaigns as a growing toll threatens the World Cup.
Speaking after South Korean star Son Heung-min suffered an eye injury during Tottenham’s dramatic Champions League win over Marseilles, Carragher highlighted the concerning trend of big-name stars being in doubt for the tournament with short-term injuries.
Son joined a host of stars racing the clock to be fit for the World Cup, which starts in Doha later this month – a list which includes French duo Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
“I think it’s an absolute disgrace that the World Cup is in the position that it’s in,” Carragher told CBS Sports.
“For lots of reasons. I think that it was corrupt that Qatar were given the World Cup, and we knew at the time when they campaigned on having it in the summer, it was impossible to have a World Cup in the summer due to the temperature.
“It gets moved to the situation where it is now in the middle of the season, and players who spend their whole lives dreaming of playing in the World Cup as we see with Son.
“A ten day injury is going to keep players out of the World Cup, which should not be happening, and it all started with FIFA giving them the World Cup in the first place.
“Then they’re moving it and obviously, the stuff that goes on in their countries are a completely different issue as well. But I think it’s absolutely disgusting.”
And coaches of all 32 competing nations will be nervously checking on the health of their players across the next fortnight – with the world’s major competitions ongoing and playing games right up until players board their flights for Doha, the prospect of further injury carnage is very real.
Australia is sweating on the fitness over several key stars, while tournament heavyweights France, Brazil, England and Portugal all have serious concerns.
Here’s a look at who is out – and who is in doubt – for some of the key nations this World Cup.
SOUTH KOREA
In doubt: Son Heung-Min (eye)
The talismanic Son will undergo surgery on a fracture around his eye following a sickening collision while playing for Tottenham. There’s no timeframe for his return, but with South Korea to name there 26-man squad on November 12 time is well and truly limited for Son to prove his fitness.
ENGLAND
In doubt: Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Kyle Walker (groin), Reece James (knee), Kalvin Phillips (shoulder)
Ruled out: Emile Smith Rowe (groin)
England’s defensive woes extend beyond what to do with Harry Maguire – with right backs Kyle Walker and Reece James both struggling to prove themselves worthy of a plane ticket after recent injury complaints. Manchester City’s Phillips is also a worry, though Pep Guardiola said both he and Walker were ‘optimistic’ about their chances this week. The latest concern is Ben Chilwell, who suffered a hamstring injury in Chelsea’s 2-1 Champions League win over Dynamo Zagreb.
AUSTRALIA
In doubt: Martin Boyle (knee), Harry Souttar (return from ACL), Kye Rowles (foot), Tom Rogic (general fitness), Ajdin Hrustic (ankle)
The recent return of Stoke City’s Harry Souttar from a long-term ACL recovery, and Kye Rowles’ imminent return for Hearts, is glorious news for coach Graham Arnold as he looks to solidify his defence, but the most troubling issue is that of Adjin Hrustic and Martin Boyle. The attacking weapons are both in doubt at this stage. Hrustic damaged ankle ligaments playing for Hellas Verona last month and is a touch-and-go proposition, while Boyle is awaiting scans on a knee injury suffered over the weekend. Tom Rogic is also a mystery, as he struggles for gametime after a long stretch out of the game.
ARGENTINA
In doubt: Angel Di Maria (hamstring), Paulo Dybala (calf)
Hamstring injuries are always tricky – and even more so when you throw in a packed World Cup schedule, so the news is not promising for Juventus’ Angel Di Maria, who is set to be sidelined until the tournament start after picking up a strain last week. Dybala has been sidelined with a calf injury but looks a more promising prospect of featuring for Roma in order to prove his fitness.
BELGIUM
In doubt: Romelu Lukaku (hamstring)
Ruled out: Alexis Saelemaekers (knee)
Belgium’s attacking force had already taken a blow with winger Alexis Saelemaekers ruled out with an MCL injury, but Romelu Lukaku’s latest hamstring woes – coming straight off the back of a lengthy lay-off – are far from ideal.
BRAZIL
In doubt: Richarlison (calf), Gleison Bremer (thigh)
Ruled out Arthur Melo
Both Richarlison and Bremer are facing a fitness race to return in time – but both are optimistic of getting a club match in before Qatar. The news is less uplifting for midfielder Arthur Melo, with his Liverpool manager claiming the star’s thigh injury will keep him out long-term.
DENMARK
In doubt: Simon Kjaer (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (ankle)
The Socceroos’ Group D rivals have concerns over their star central defensive pairing, both of whom have missed the bulk of the season to date.
FRANCE
In doubt: Raphael Varane (thigh), Wesley Fofana (knee), Jules Kounde (thigh), Mike Maignan (calf), Lucas Hernandez (adductor)
Out: Paul Pogba (thigh), N’Golo Kante (hamstring)
The defending champions have had a wretched run injury-wise. The midfield generals, Pogba and Kante, who spearheaded their 2018 triumph will both miss the tournament, while there are injury woes across the field. They face Australia in their first group game, giving a gentle tinge of optimism for Socceroos fans.
GERMANY
In doubt: Leroy Sane (hamstring), Armel Bella-Kotchap (shoulder)
Bella-Kotchap remains sidelined after dislocating his shoulder a fortnight ago – but is hopeful of getting a game in the next week. Sane returned to training for Bayern this week after a fortnight out with a hamstring strain.
NETHERLANDS
In doubt: Memphis Depay (Hamstring)
Ruled out: Gini Wijnaldum (leg)
Depay has not played for Barcelona since suffering a hamstring injury in while playing for the Dutch in September, leaving him well short of match fitness even if he is able to return in the next week – and his potential absence is compounded by the nasty broken leg suffered by Wijnaldum at training in August.
PORTUGAL
Ruled out: Pedro Neto (ankle), Diogo Jota (calf)
Neither of Premier League pair Dojo Jota (Liverpool) and Pedro Neto (ankle) will feature in Qatar after unfortunate injuries sustained in the past month, leaving Portugal’s attacking arsenal devoid of two of its biggest weapons.
SPAIN
In doubt: Mikel Oyarzabal (knee), Sergio Reguilon (groin), Gerard Moreno (hamstring)
Like Australia’s Harry Souttar, Oyarzabal is in the latter stages of an ACL recovery – though he’s yet to play, and only returned to training last month. Reguilon is dealing with a long-term groin injury and has yet to feature for Athletico Madrid since making a move this past off-season.
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