skip to main content
World Cup 2022 logo

World Cup digest: Son says he's fit, Senegal sweat on Mane

Son Heung-min fractured his eye socket last week
Son Heung-min fractured his eye socket last week

Son Heung-min has ended any lingering doubts over his participation in the World Cup.

The Tottenham attacker suffered a fracture around his left eye during a 2-1 win away to Marseille in the Champions League last week.

It raised fears in South Korea that their star player could miss the tournament in Qatar and he had to undergo surgery on Friday.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte confirmed on Sunday it had been a success and that he expected the 30-year-old to be fit for the competition.

But Son himself reiterated on Wednesday he will feature in Qatar, with South Korea set to name their squad later in the week.

"I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you all for the messages of support I have received over the last week," the Tottenham forward wrote on Instagram.

"I have read so many of them and truly, truly appreciate you all. In a tough time I received a lot of strength from you!

"Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too. I won't miss this for the world. I can’t wait to represent our beautiful country, see you soon."

Sadio Mane was the player of the tournament when Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane suffered a World Cup injury scare during Bayern Munich's 6-1 win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday night.

Mane was forced off after 20 minutes and the Senegal international will undergo an X-ray to determine the extent of the problem.

Senegal begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on 21 November and also face hosts Qatar and Ecuador in Group A.

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann told a post-match press conference: "He took a blow to his tibial plateau. It’s a painful spot. He’ll have to have an X-ray to see what’s happened."

Bayern’s final game before the World Cup is at Schalke on Saturday.

Mane is Senegal’s record scorer and scored the decisive penalty as his country beat Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Reece James had been in fine form for club and country

England right-back Reece James has confirmed he will not be going to the World Cup.

The 22-year-old started England's last four matches and was a shoo-in for Qatar until sustaining a knee injury in the Champions League match against AC Milan on 11 October.

Chelsea announced James was facing an eight-week lay-off – a timescale that would mean a return around the World Cup quarter-final stage.

James said at the time "the race against time is on" and vowed not to give up, but he has now confirmed he will not be in England’s 26-man squad on Thursday after speaking to manager Gareth Southgate.

"Devastated," 15-cap England international James posted on Twitter. "The minute I injured my knee, I knew the turnaround to make the World Cup would be tight, but I always felt it was possible.

"I’ve worked harder than I ever thought I could to give myself the best chance of going and truly believed I could help the team.

"I appreciate there was risk on both sides but it was one I was willing to take. Good luck to the boys. I’ll be back soon. Stay safe and sending love."

Kalvin Phillips (shoulder), Kyle Walker (groin) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) are all hoping to make the squad despite injury problems.

Defending champions France have named Raphael Varane in their World Cup squad despite the Manchester United defender's injury troubles.

The 29-year-old was a doubt for the tournament in Qatar with a hamstring injury sustained during United's 1-1 draw at Chelsea on 22 October.

But France boss Didier Deschamps has gambled on Varane's fitness and included him in his 25-man party.

Midfielders N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba are absent through injury, while United forward Anthony Martial and Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne have missed out.

Leo Messi (L) and Lionel Scaloni

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has asked European clubs not to field any of his players who are not fully fit in league matches before the World Cup.

Argentina will be without midfielder Giovani Lo Celso due to a muscle injury suffered playing for his club Villarreal and they are sweating on the fitness of defender Cristian Romero and forward Paulo Dybala.

"The reality is that we are talking to the clubs so that those (players) who are not at 100% do not play their match with the club.... We have been working to see if they can release them but it's difficult," Scaloni said today.

"There will be some (players) who, as a precaution, will not play the last few games, but we know that they are fine and that it is a decision thinking more about what's coming (World Cup) than anything else."

Sevilla's Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli did not call up internationals Alejandro Gomez and Marcos Acuna for Wednesday's LaLiga clash against Real Sociedad.

Scaloni said he will evaluate "the physical conditions" of his players before announcing his 26-man squad for Qatar.

Argentina begin their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on 22 Noember. They will also face Mexico and Poland in Group C.