Brazilian players Rodrygo and Marquinhos have warned their teammates about the dangers of buying into their own hype, saying nothing good can come from expecting to win as favourites.

Boasting one of the strongest teams on paper, Brazil's squad includes world-class centerpieces such as Neymar and Vinicius Junior, and they have made two Copa America finals since the 2018 World Cup, winning in 2019 and falling 1-0 to Argentina in 2021.

They will also play in Group G, where they will be joined by Cameroon, Serbia and Switzerland in three matchups Brazil will be heavily favoured in.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Real Madrid's Rodrygo said while he understands the pressure on his side to perform in Qatar, he would prefer to let their play do the talking.

"We know that we have a great national team, that we are among the favourites," he said. "But there are also other very good teams as well.

"It's no use saying we are favourites and then arriving on the pitch and not showing it. We know that everyone was in good form with their clubs and that's why they're here – many good players were left out."

Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos agreed, saying they will need to play hungry to fulfill their potential.

"If we think we are favourites, that we are the best, we will not go forward," he said. "We've seen how things are in this competition, which is very difficult. 

"All the teams are ready and very balanced, they can make life difficult. That's the [World] Cup. 

"It's no use coming here and talking about the future. We have to get through the [group stage] first. It will be three very difficult games."

Brazil kick off their campaign on Thursday, November 24 against Serbia.

Atlanta United star Thiago Almada is heading to the World Cup in Qatar after being called up as an injury replacement by Argentina.

Almada's inclusion was confirmed hours after Inter forward Joaquin Correa had to withdraw because of a knee problem sustained in the friendly win against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old midfielder only made his Albiceleste debut in September's friendly victory against Honduras, and now has the chance to join Lionel Messi and co. in trying to win their first World Cup since 1986.

Almada joined Atlanta in February in a $16million deal from Velez Sarsfield and recorded 18 goal involvements with the Major League Soccer side (six goals, 12 assists).

The announcement came shortly after it was confirmed that Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa had been called up to replace Nicolas Gonzalez, who was also forced to withdraw due to injury.

Argentina's campaign at the World Cup begins with a clash against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, before they also face Mexico and Poland in Group C, with the defeated 2014 finalists widely regarded to be among the favourites for this year's tournament.

Joao Felix backed Portugal to go all the way at the World Cup after Fernando Santos welcomed a selection headache following a 4-0 friendly thrashing of Nigeria.

Bruno Fernandes' first-half double, coupled with late strikes for Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario, saw Santos' side to a comfortable triumph on Thursday before setting off for Qatar.

Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix did not manage to get on the scoresheet but impressed in Lisbon, with Santos noting a credible performance from the 23-year-old.

"He was one of the best, with some others. They were all better, nobody plays alone," the Portugal coach said.

"Joao played a good game too, at the level of what the others did. I have 26 players knocking on the door. Every day they knock on my door in training.

"They all knock on the door and they all have reasons to play. That's certainly good for the coach."

Joao Felix suggested he enjoys more attacking freedom for Portugal than Atletico Madrid, as he backed Santos' side for glory in Qatar, where they face Ghana in their Group H opener next Thursday.

"I have more freedom of movement with the national team because we are very mobile," he said. "I felt good and the team had a great game.

"I think we are prepared to win the World Cup. We looked for the goal and I helped the team, which is my mission as a striker. 

"The goals did not appear in this game, but they will happen in the World Cup."

Santos will also have to consider the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the friendly victory due to "illness" as the aftermath of his scathing interview on Manchester United continues.

Bruno Fernandes scored twice as Portugal eased to a 4-0 victory over Nigeria in their sole World Cup warm-up game, despite missing captain Cristiano Ronaldo through illness.

Fernando Santos' side produced a dominant showing in Lisbon on Thursday amid the ongoing furore over the absent Ronaldo's scathing interview on Manchester United.

Fernandes' first-half double, the latter from the penalty spot, set Portugal on their way in their final outing ahead of Qatar, before Goncalo Ramos scored after Emmanuel Dennis missed a second-half spot-kick.

Joao Mario added a late fourth and Portugal will now turn their attention to next Thursday's Group H opener against Ghana as they aim to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in four tournaments.

Fernandes miscued an effort just wide in the opening stages but made amends after nine minutes as he turned home Diogo Dalot's cutback pass.

Joao Felix curled narrowly over before Bright Osayi-Samuel was adjudged to have handled inside the area, with Fernandes sending Francis Uzoho the wrong way with his spot-kick.

A host of half-time changes did little to alter Portugal's dominance, though Samuel Chukwueze forced a rare Rui Patricio save before Uzoho tipped over from Joao Felix.

The VAR deemed Dalot to have shoved Osayi-Samuel inside the area, though Patricio saved Dennis' penalty before Ramos sealed victory by tapping in Raphael Guerreiro's unselfish pass.

A simple Joao Felix offload teed up the final goal as Joao Mario prodded into an empty net.

What does it mean? Santos' side in cruise control ahead of Qatar

The ongoing controversy surrounding five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo could have easily derailed Portugal, though that did not prove the case in a routine win.

Santos' side dominated from the first minute without their talisman and will be confident of escaping Group H, which also includes Uruguay and South Korea.

However, the likes of Ghana and Uruguay – the latter with the likes of Federico Valverde, Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez – will prove much sterner tasks than Nigeria in Qatar.

Fernandes refutes Ronaldo deputy tag

All the talk in the build-up to the friendly surrounded Fernandes' United team-mate Ronaldo, though it was the midfielder who shone at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Fernandes has regularly played the backing role to Ronaldo at Old Trafford and Portugal, but offered a timely reminder of his qualities with two goals as well as misplacing just three of his 37 passes.

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While Portugal impressed without their star attacker, Nigeria were left wanting in their forward line as Terem Moffi failed to deliver.

The 23-year-old completed just six of his 11 passes and managed 15 touches – the fewest of any outfield starter – before his second-half removal.

What's next?

Portugal's curtain-raiser comes against Ghana in Doha, while Nigeria are not scheduled for action until facing Guinea-Bissau in Africa Cup of Nations qualification in March.

Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa has joined Argentina's squad for the World Cup in Qatar, after Nicolas Gonzalez was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

Capped 22 times by Argentina, Correa was not selected in Scaloni's initial 26-man squad for the tournament, which kicks off on Sunday, but was among a provisional 55-man list.

Scaloni said on Wednesday that late changes to the squad could be required ahead of their opening game against Saudi Arabia, with FIFA rules allowing changes before a team plays their first match at the tournament.

Fiorentina's Gonzalez suffered a muscle injury in Thursday's training session, Argentina announced, with Correa joining the squad ahead of Tuesday's first game for them in Group C.

Correa has not been a regular starter for Diego Simeone's Atletico side this season, with 10 of his 14 appearances across all competitions coming off the bench.

Argentina's campaign at the World Cup also sees them face Poland and Mexico, with the defeated 2014 finalists widely regarded to be among the favourites for this year's tournament.

Sadio Mane has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fibula injury, the Senegalese Football Federation confirmed on Thursday.

Mane sustained the leg issue while playing in Bayern Munich's 2-0 win over Schalke on Saturday, though he was deemed fit enough to be included in Aliou Cisse's 26-man squad.

It was announced on Tuesday that Mane would not play any part in Senegal's opening matches, Cisse's side saying they "will have to rely on playing the first games without Sadio".

But Thursday's update confirms Mane's injury will need surgery, thus ruling him out of the entire tournament in Qatar.

A short statement from the Senegalese Football Federation read: "The FSF wishes a speedy recovery to its player Sadio Mane."

It comes as a huge blow for both Mane and Senegal after he played an instrumental part in their Africa Cup of Nations triumph, scoring the winning penalty in the final against Egypt in February.

Senegal face Netherlands in their Group A opener on Monday before meeting Qatar and Ecuador, though they will have to attempt to reach the knockout stages without their star attacker.

Luis Enrique wants his Spain side to go all the way to the World Cup final in Qatar after they cruised to a 3-1 victory over Jordan in their final warm-up match before the tournament.

Spain's young stars won the game, with Ansu Fati setting them on their way with a 13th-minute strike before Gavi and Nico Williams added second-half goals to make it eight wins from their last 11 matches, though Jordan did score a late consolation. 

Spain have not made it past the round of 16 at a World Cup since winning the tournament in 2010, but Luis Enrique's sights are firmly set on the final on December 18.

"We are seventh in the FIFA ranking," he told reporters at his post-match press conference. "Our goal is to play seven games in Qatar.

"I have seen the team play well [against Jordan], even if it was not the best time to play so close to the World Cup.

"I think we have played a good game. The result was the least important today, but it's always better to win."

Fati and Marco Asensio starred in the victory, and Luis Enrique was full of praise for the pair after the match.

"It's great news. He [Fati] has a great relationship with the goal," the head coach added. "He [Asensio] has been at another level, excellent.

"He has played as a false nine player, and very well. With that attitude, with the quality he has, he can play wherever."

New River Plate head coach Martin Demichelis is in "no doubt" that Argentina will make it to the World Cup final.

Argentina were last crowned world champions when Diego Maradona inspired the 1986 triumph in Mexico, and have since lost in the final at the tournaments in 1990 and 2014.

Demichelis made 51 appearances for his country between 2005 and 2016, appearing at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively.

The 41-year-old was unveiled as River Plate's new boss on Wednesday and is confident La Albiceleste will make it to the final of Qatar 2022 on December 18.

"We are days away from the start of the World Cup, so I want to wish [Lionel] Scaloni a successful World Cup, to all the players, to the entire squad," the former Manchester City and Bayern Munich defender said.

"A very special mention for the only Argentine player who also ended up joining the squad and who is ours: Franco [Armani], whom we need to support 100 per cent. My congratulations to him.

"I have no doubt that Argentina will play all seven games. I believe that by arriving only seven days before the World Cup, when normally a team is always working for three, four or five weeks, Argentina have the advantage that comes with a very solid base, with good energy, with a very strong emotional determination.

"I have no doubt that Argentina will play all seven games. I wish them all the best."

Curtis Jones has committed his long-term future to Liverpool after signing a new deal with the Premier League club.

The 21-year-old has amassed 81 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side since his debut in January 2019, scoring eight goals and recording nine assists.

Jones has made just seven appearances (two starts) so far this season due to injury.

Speaking to the club's website after the news was confirmed, the Liverpool-born midfielder said: "First of all, I want to thank the coaching staff for having the belief in me as always, for giving me the chance.

"And of course for me, I'm over the moon, I'm buzzing. It was an easy thing [to decide to renew]. 

"It's my boyhood club, I'm a Scouser, I've supported the club for the whole of my life, so yeah, I'm buzzing and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

"I think if I was at a different club as well, my goal and aim and dream would always be to come here and play. But I'm here now, I've been here since I was six, I've gone all the way through."

Jones has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Community Shield since making his first-team debut.

He also became Liverpool's youngest ever captain when he took the armband in the FA Cup win against Shrewsbury Town in February 2020, aged just 19 years and five days.

His goal against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in February 2021 also made him the youngest Liverpool player to score away from Anfield in the Premier League since Raheem Sterling against Burnley in December 2014.

Manchester High, Clarendon College, Central High and the Manning’s School have advanced to the semi-finals of this year’s ISSA/Digicel daCosta Cup.

Clarendon College and Manchester are the form teams heading into the final four having won all three games in their respective quarterfinal round groups to finish with nine points. Group B winners Clarendon College also failed to concede a goal.

Second place in Group B was taken by Central who will be in the semis for the first time in their school’s history after getting a crucial 2-0 win in their final game over Edwin Allen at Foga Road on Monday for their only points of the round. It ended up being enough in the end as they advanced on goal difference after finishing level on points with Dinthill and Edwin Allen.

Last year’s beaten finalists, the Manning’s School, are once again in the final four after getting six points from their three games in Group A while group winners Manchester High are back in the daCosta Cup semis for the first time since 2016.

Both games will be played at STETHS on November 23.

Manchester will play Central at 2:00pm before Clarendon College and Manning’s lock horns at 4:00pm.

Former England captain Terry Butcher believes the Three Lions could benefit from scaled-back expectations at the World Cup after enduring a torrid Nations League campaign.

Gareth Southgate's team are the only nation to reach the semi-finals at each of the last two major tournaments, having been beaten by Croatia in the last four at the 2018 World Cup before losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy. 

Despite their strong tournament record in recent years, England arrive in Qatar in poor form after being relegated from Nations League Group A3 following a winless campaign in the competition.

However, Butcher believes England may replicate their feats from four years ago by springing a surprise in Qatar.

"I think a lot of people will see them as less looking like winners, because this year has been very disappointing for England," Butcher told Stats Perform.

"When you look at it and you step back, it's dropped the expectations. The expectation levels are down now, compared to what they were at the start of the year. 

"I think a lot of that is very similar to Russia in 2018, when a lot of people were not expecting them to do particularly well.

"I think there'll be more determination with the pressure off, like it was in Russia. Then you've got the timing of the tournament and English players will be fresh. 

"There's a few injury problems and concerns, but there's no burnout, and there's no mental tiredness like there is when it comes to the summer championships. This is unique for the English players as well. So I think that'll benefit us very much.

"You think well, 'you've had a taste of the semi-finals, you've had a taste of the final', they would have learned a lot from that."

Despite overseeing two memorable major tournament campaigns since taking charge in 2016, Southgate has been subject to fierce criticism in recent weeks. 

However, Butcher believes Southgate's record cannot be questioned and says the depth of talent at England's disposal makes them genuine contenders to win the World Cup.

"There aren't many England managers that have won cups and titles and all that sort of thing," Butcher said when asked about Southgate.

"He's got problems in terms of who to leave out as much as who to put in. There is a plethora, if you want to use that word, of talent. It's about finding the right blend on the day. 

"But it's a lovely position to be in. I just hope now that England can take the shackles off and have that belief that they can win it. That'd be really nice if they could do that. 

"There's no doubt the talents there. Fitness will be there. The mental strength will be there, which I hope has been even made more acute by the failure last year to win the final."

Francesco Totti bemoaned Italy's absence at the upcoming World Cup, describing the upcoming tournament in Qatar as like "going to Rome without seeing the Colosseum".

A shock play-off defeat to North Macedonia knocked the reigning European champions out of the running to qualify for international football's premier competition, the second consecutive World Cup they have failed to reach.

Only Brazil have won more World Cup titles than Italy's five, and Totti says they will be sorely missed in Qatar.

"The World Cup without Italy is like going to Rome without seeing the Colosseum," Totti told Sky Sport, "we're talking about a great national team.

"For us Italians it is a negative thing, but these are things that happen in football. It will always be a World Cup, we will watch it with interest."

Totti, who was selected to the All-Star team as Italy won the 2006 World Cup, pointed out the nations he feels can win the tournament, declaring: "France, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Germany.

"They are always the same, I don't see one over the other. Then they will play in winter, which is strange."

Olivier Giroud highlighted the importance of replacing Paul Pogba's influence on the France squad ahead of their bid to defend the World Cup.

Having lifted their second World Cup in 2018, France are considered one of the main contenders to emerge victorious in Qatar, though injuries to Pogba and other key players could harm their chances.

Pogba has not made a single competitive appearance since returning to Juventus in July, and was ruled out of the tournament after undergoing delayed surgery on a knee injury.

The midfielder, who scored in the World Cup final against Croatia four years ago, will be joined on the sidelines by N'Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku, and Giroud believes it is time for other players to assume senior roles.

"We will miss Paul Pogba a lot, like Kante and Kimpembe," Giroud said on Thursday. 

"Paul takes up a lot of space in this France team with his personality, but I am convinced that there are other young leaders who can emerge.

"I too will play my role of big brother for the youngest, be available for them, and speak up when necessary."

With 49 goals in 114 international appearances, Giroud is second in France's all-time goalscoring charts behind Thierry Henry (51), and is also his country's fifth-most capped player.

Giroud arrives at his third World Cup in fine form after scoring nine times for Milan this season, and will delay any decision regarding his international future until after the tournament.

"I feel good physically, in my game, in my club and in the France team. It's a period of splendour for me. It's a gift to feel like this at 36," Giroud said.

"I don't set myself any limits, it could be my last competition, but I don't want to announce anything. We'll see after the World Cup. My motivation to stay at the highest level is intact."

France fell short of expectations when they suffered a last-16 exit at Euro 2020 last year, and Giroud believes it would be wrong to consider them favourites to triumph in Qatar. 

"It's a childhood dream, when you have the chance to participate, you want to go to the end. I was lucky that it came true in 2018," Giroud added.

"Having the opportunity to play a third World Cup with this young, talented group gives us a lot of hope. We have a lot of hope but also humility, we do not make ourselves favourites. 

"We know that there are very big teams in this World Cup. I have a lot of confidence in this group."

England's players will discuss whether to take the knee ahead of their World Cup fixtures before Monday's Group B opener against Iran, says Conor Coady.

The vast majority of Premier League players took the knee in a show of solidarity with those facing racial discrimination at the end of the 2019-20 season and throughout the two following campaigns.

England continued with the gesture at Euro 2020 last year, and were jeered for doing so by Hungary supporters ahead of a Nations League defeat in Budapest this June.

Asked whether the Three Lions would take the knee before their matches in Qatar, Coady said Gareth Southgate's squad were yet to discuss the issue but would soon do so.

"At the minute, it's not something we've spoken about as a team yet. I think we've been concentrating in terms of the game itself coming up," Coady said on Thursday. 

"I'm sure that question will be brought up in the next few days in terms of how we're going to go about Monday."

Meanwhile, the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has attracted widespread criticism due to the country's criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and Coady described the prospect of LGBTQ+ supporters not feeling comfortable in travelling to the tournament as upsetting. 

"Of course it is [upsetting], we want every England supporter to come and support us, they push us and drive us. That's what we want as a team, we'll keep on believing in what we believe in," he said. 

"We've come to a country where we'll respect rules and respect what goes on in the country, we're all here for one thing and that's to play football.

"But in terms of what we believe in as a team, that's football for all, and for everyone to be included in our great sport."

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner can be extradited from his homeland of Trinidad to the United States to face corruption charges, a London court said today (November 17).

Warner’s lawyers argued that his extradition was unlawful but London’s Privy Council, the highest court of appeal for many Commonwealth countries, unanimously dismissed his appeal.

Suspicion and rumours have surrounded the 2010 votes by FIFA’s executive to hand the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar.

In 2020, a US Department of Justice indictment said bribes were paid to soccer officials to secure their votes for hosting rights.

The DOJ alleged that then FIFA vice-president Warner was paid US$5 million through various shell companies to vote for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup.

His role as president of CONCACAF, which organises soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, gave him enormous influence as a powerbroker for former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.

A former member of the FIFA Executive Committee and former CONCACAF president, Warner was suspended by FIFA in 2011 and in 2015, charged with wire fraud, racketeering and money-laundering by the US.

FIFA banned him from all soccer-related activity for life in 2015. The 79-year-old has always denied any wrongdoing.