LOSING AT STOURBRIDGE WAS A LOW – GOING FROM THAT TO THE WORLD CUP IS CRAZY

WELCOME

In 2012, Sepp Blatter was adamant. “The World

VICENTE DEL BOSQUE

YOU ASK THE QUESTIONS

MEANWHILE IN …

WEIRD WORLD OF FOOTBALL

GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

“WHEN YOU LIFT A WORLD CUP IT DOES

VIETNAM: OFF TO THE WORLD CUP

Qatar are preparing to make their first ever

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ

Have a crack at this collection of World Cup puzzlers, featuring the globe’s weirdest anthropomorphic orange

MY FOOTBALL

The Lightning Seeds singer has chosen at last to embrace his Three Lions legacy

1930 ONE-ARMED STAR WINS WORLD CUP SINGLE-HANDEDLY

When Hector Castro accidentally sawed off part of

“WALKING ON TO THE FANTASY FOOTBALL SET FOR THE FIRST TIME? IT WAS LIKE VISITING STONEHENGE…”

After 18 years away, a TV institution has made its grand return this autumn – for new hosts Elis James and Matt Lucas, it’s become almost a pagan experience...

ANDREW REDMAYNE

In only his third cap, the 33-year-old’s odd penalty antics guided Australia to the World Cup – and now he’s ‘the Dancing Goalie’

ENGLAND EXPECTS

Gareth Southgate raised the hopes of a nation with the performances at their last two tournaments, and even with recent form denting optimism, Harry Kane & Co tell FFT that they are still targeting glory in Qatar

“WHEN I PLAY, I WANT US TO WIN. WHEN I DON’T PLAY, I WANT US TO WIN. I’LL BE AN ENGLAND FAN FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE”

There has been much debate about Harry Maguire’s place in the national team, but no one doubts his desire. After travelling Europe to cheer on his nation, his first two tournaments changed his life, via internet memes and a Vardy prank

BORN IN THE USA (TO AN ENGLAND CULT HERO)

Special Relationship? Hell no. USMNT assistant Anthony Hudson, son of ex-Chelsea legend Alan, is out to tame the Three Lions – and avenge their sins against his father

SPIRIT OF '58

It has been a long, painful World Cup journey for Wales since their last appearance at the finals, 64 years ago. Now they’re back, to the relief of players past and present, and eager that it doesn’t end here

HOW TO WN THE WORLD CUP …IN SEVEN EASY STEPS

Take note, Gareth! For his new book, Chris Evans spoke to a slew of tournament veterans to understand the secrets to global glory

OH CANADA

The 2026 co-hosts have reached the World Cup four years early, qualifying for the first time since 1986 – all thanks to a manager from County Durham…

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

After individual accolades and Champions League glory, Karim Benzema has already had the best year of his career. Now France’s comeback king wants the biggest trophy of all in Qatar, the day before his 35th birthday…

“PROMISE YOU’LL S TAY LONGER THANROMARIO, PEP?”

The decision to award Qatar the World Cup will forever be disputed, but what football pedigree do the hosts actually have? Via Guardiola, Batistuta and a recent loss against Linfield, FFT investigates

“AFTER MY CHALLEN GEON BATTISTON , THEY HUN GEFFIGIES OF ME IN THE STREET — PEOPLE TRIED TO KIDNAP MY CHILDREN ”

Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher was voted the most unpopular person in France after the 1982 World Cup, pushing Adolf Hitler into second place. Forty years on, he tells FFT how one infamous incident changed his life

SING WHEN YOU'RE LOSING

No matter how many defeats San Marino suffer, their fans keep coming back for more. While the globe’s best teams prepared for the World Cup, FFT headed to the tiny nation to witness a rare chance of victory

MY PERFECT XI TREVOR STEVEN

After representing his country at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, the ex-England midfielder puts together a formidable line-up of former Three Lions team-mates

WORLD CUP GUIDE 2022

FIXTURES • TEAM PROFILES • STAR PLAYERS

DANNY COWLEY

EFL • NON-LEAGUE • SCOTLAND

THE BATTLE FOR DONCASTER

Backed by Willie McKay, a new team’s in town – with Scottish Cup ambitions…

BEST&WORST DUNDEE UNITED

Paul McNicoll of The Dode Fox Podcast remembers leg-biting Nadir Ciftci, and the boy who looks like a sheep

BOY’S A BIT SPECIAL

HANNIBAL MEJBRI BIRMINGHAM LOWDOWN An attendee of France’s

R£CORD BR£AK£RS

KASPER SCHMEICHEL MAN CITY TO NOTTS COUNTY 2009

“WHAT LEAGUE ARE TRANMERE IN? DIVISION TWO, YOU D**KHEAD!”

John Aldridge isn’t the only player to go to a World Cup after a season outside England’s top tier, but most were less mad when they got there

“ ENGLAnD COULD HAVE WONTHE 2006 WORLD CUP. ITALY WEREN ’T BETTER THAN US”

The ex-Chelsea star on his Three Lions days, from wonder goals and WAGs to what went wrong under Fabio Capello

“OUR 1994 WORLD CUP WIN AGAINST ARGENTIN AWAS THE GREATEST I NROMANIA HISTORY”

The former Spurs and West Ham man reminisces about toppling La Albiceleste and the magic of Gheorghe Hagi

“NEW ZEALAND WERE THE ONLY UNBEATEN TEAM IN 2010. YOU’D EXPECT US TO GET THROUGH!”

The self-deprecating Kiwi recalls knackered knees, Blackburn regret and avoiding defeat with the All Whites in South Africa

“MY GOAL AGAIN ST THE DUTCH IN 1990 WAS SO SCRUFFY, BUT IT KEPT ME IN THE IRELAN DTEAM FOR EIGHT YEARS”

The Irish ace chats Italia 90 heroics and making up with Roy Keane at Sunderland...

CONTENS

Pictures Alamy, Getty Images The 2022 World Cup

22 REASONS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT THE WORLD CUP

From sooth-saying cephalopods to throw-in acrobatics and anthropomorphic stingray mascots, there’s loads to look forward to at the Qatar 2022 jamboree

VENUSE

stadiums, and there’ll be 16 in 2026 – Qatar needs only eight

“YOU WAnT IT? COME GET IT”

Plenty of marksmen will fancy they can relieve a certain Englishman of the Golden Boot, especially with no Erling Haaland in Qatar to smash 17 group-stage goals. Who will be the next Mario Kempes or Oleg Salenko?

MORE THAN A GAME

Good work, draw-makers: the group stage is set to feature grudge matches aplenty. Now, which manager’s turn is it to mention The Hague this time?

ONES TO WATCH

Four years ago, a teenager called Kylian Mbappe bossed the World Cup – these eight rising stars will aim to make a big impact this time around...

QATAR NETHERLANDS SENEGAL ECUADOR

FIXTURES All UK game times • ECUADOR •

USA ENGLAND WALES IRAN

FIXTURES All UK game times Monday, November 21

MEXICO ARGEN TInA POLAND SAUDI ARABIA

FIXTURES A ll UK game times • ECUADOR

DENMARK FRANCE TUNISIA AUSTRALIA

FIXTURES All UK game times • ECUADOR •

JAPAN SPAIN GERMANY COSTARICA

FIXTURES All UK game times • ECUADOR •

CROATIA BELGIUM MOROCCO CANADA

FIXTURES AIl UK game times • ECUADOR •

SWITZERLAND BRAZIL SERBIA CAMEROON

N FIXTURES All UK game times • ECUADOR

URUGUAY PORTUGAL SOUTH KOREA GHANA

• ECUADOR • SENEGAL•• NE FIXTURES All UK

THE LAST 16 : THE GIANTS’ GRAVEYARD

PLAYInG THEIR CARDS RIGHT

FIFA have listed 36 referees for the tournament, from Guatemalans to Gambians – here’s our pick of the bunch