Harry Maguire has kept his focus on England at the World Cup while Manchester United have been making headlines back home.

Despite early upsets and drama at Qatar 2022, United have dominated the news agenda, first with the release of Cristiano Ronaldo and then with the announcement of the Glazer family exploring the possibility of selling the club.

Even by United's standards, it has been a manic week.

But Maguire, who is set to earn his 50th England cap against the United States on Friday, has not allowed himself to worry about developments at Old Trafford.

"To be honest, I think it's been really easy," Maguire said. "I'm here with England, I'm playing at a World Cup, the greatest tournament in the world, so for me to keep the distractions away has been easy.

"I'm fully focused on winning each game I play for my country. There's been a lot of talk going off around the club at the moment, but I'm fully focused on England."

Gareth Southgate was also asked how he could shield his players from such distractions, with Maguire one of three United players in his squad.

"We've talked from time to time about the importance of ignoring those things from outside," Southgate said.

"We actually had the future King [Prince William] come in and talk to us about that. I thought that was a point we couldn't have paid him better to say.

"We've got to just ignore the noise. At tournaments, I think there's always a frenzy of the need for information, the need for stories.

"I've lived through a lot of tournaments now, so I understand the need to stay calm through all of that, focus on the games, focus on the training, on the things you can affect. Keeping your energy for those things is key."

Ronaldo is now a former team-mate for United captain Maguire, having caused the Red Devils no shortage of headaches since revealing his desire to leave at the start of the season.

But Maguire did note the constant criticism one of the game's all-time greats faced during their time together, helping him deal with scrutiny of his own career.

"As a footballer, nobody likes being criticised, but I think it's part and parcel of the game," Maguire added.

"I've played with Cristiano Ronaldo for the last couple of years, and he's one of the greatest players to ever kick a football, and he gets criticised day in and day out. So, if it's going to happen to him...

"In the position I'm in at Manchester United, I think it's part and parcel of the game – especially the position I'm in playing for Manchester United as captain of Manchester United."

Mehdi Taremi believes Iran's players struggled to focus on football during Monday's 6-2 defeat to England amid a crackdown on protests in their home country.

Taremi became the first Iran player to score a World Cup double at the Khalifa International Stadium last time out, but his efforts were not enough to deny England their biggest win in a World Cup or European Championships opener.

The game was played out in a highly charged atmosphere, with Iran's players refusing to sing their national anthem in an apparent display of solidarity with anti-government protesters in the country.

Human rights groups say more than 400 people have lost their lives amid the repression of protests in Iran, which began following the September death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being arrested for her refusal to wear the mandatory hijab.

Ahead of two crucial Group B fixtures against Wales and the United States, Taremi backed Iran to bring pride to their country with improved displays.

"In my opinion, the first game was not football at all. Because of so many issues that existed, football was the only one not in question," Taremi said at Thursday's pre-match press conference.

"I think our game starts now. We have two games and we have to play them to gain six points, so that we can make our people happy.

"That's why we are here. That's why all the players are here. That's what we want to do, to make the hearts of our people happy."

Head coach Carlos Queiroz also hinted Iran were affected by off-pitch issues last time out, as he asked media to let his squad focus on sporting matters.

"To make them [Iran's players] the only people that have to give you answers about human problems in the world, I don't think it's fair," Queiroz said.

"In my opinion, it's time to ask other countries and players what they think of other issues, and there are some big issues in the world.

"I feel my players are back to their roots, back to football. We had a great training session today with a lot of fun and skill.

"Let them play the game, play for their people, like England or the United States play for their people."

Wales captain Gareth Bale praised Iran's squad for their apparent display of support for those fighting for greater recognition of women's rights in their homeland.

"It must be difficult, the situation they find themselves in," Bale said. "I guess they know as footballers they have a big platform to create awareness, and they obviously have their beliefs.

"It's difficult to comment on, because I don't know a lot about it – I'm not a politician, I'm here to play football.

"They showed their togetherness, their strength as a national team, and I guess they're only trying to do it to make life better for everybody."

Tommy Freeman headlines the changes to England's clash with world champions South Africa at Twickenham this weekend, as Eddie Jones makes four swaps.

After mounting a famous late comeback to secure a 25-25 draw last time out with New Zealand, the hosts have made a handful of alterations for their meeting with the Springboks.

Freeman, a star performer during England's tour of Australia earlier this year, has only recently returned from a foot injury, and takes the spot of Jack Nowell.

Mako Vunipola, Alex Coles and Jamie George meanwhile all come into the side, with Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds and Ellis Genge dropping to the bench.

Jack van Poortvliet meanwhile keeps his berth in the halves alongside Marcus Smith, while Owen Farrell will skipper the side at centre for Jones' men.

South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber meanwhile makes four swaps himself, with three enforced by players returning to their clubs as Saturday's game falls outside the international Test window

Cheslin Kolbe, Andre Esterhuizen, and Jasper Wiese are all out as they head back to domestic commitments, with Salmaan Moerat also omitted from the side that beat Italy.

Experienced pair Makazole Mapimpi and Eben Etzebeth both return to the fold in their place, joined by Jesse Kriel and Evan Roos.

England team: Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell, Jonny May, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Ben Youngs, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell.

South Africa team: Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Evan Roos.

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Thomas du Toit, Marco van Staden, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie.

Gregg Berhalter is not speaking to Gareth Southgate – or at least Southgate is not speaking to Berhalter – but the United States head coach knows the huge pressure his England counterpart is under.

Berhalter and Southgate have grown close in recent years as they have led their countries' respective national teams, with the USMNT boss describing Southgate as a "mentor" after the two sides were drawn together at the World Cup.

The outcome of that draw has seen the pair drift apart of late, however, ahead of a meeting between the USMNT and England at Al Bayt Stadium on Friday.

"I've been WhatsApping him, but I haven't seen the blue checkmarks, so I don't know what's going on," Berhalter said with a smile on Thursday.

"We kind of took a hiatus. We'll pick up our relationship after tomorrow."

Berhalter has led the United States back to the World Cup after the disappointment of missing out on qualification for Russia 2018, where England excelled.

Southgate had taken charge of the Three Lions not long after their own darkest hour, a Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland.

"When he first took over, it was very similar to the position I first took over, trying to reshape the identity of the team, refocus, work with a younger group of players. In that case, it's very similar," Berhalter added.

Yet there is a difference between the situations the two men find themselves in, with the USMNT coach noting the reaction to a testing Nations League campaign for England.

"Following some of the things the last months, the pressure in the English media – or in England, in general – is tremendous, and that's different," Berhalter said.

"These guys [the media] give me a hard time every once in a while, but I don't think it's of the magnitude that Gareth gets it.

"We all know this is a results-orientated business and we're all accountable for the results we get on the field, but he's done a great job.

"You've heard me say this for the last year and a half: his record in major tournaments has been outstanding, and there's no denying that – fourth-placed finish in 2018, second-placed finish at the Euros.

"He's done a great job with this team, and they got off to a great start. They're a formidable opponent. It's going to be a difficult game for us."

The United States are not intimidated by a World Cup meeting with England, but then Tyler Adams insists he is not intimidated by anything – except spiders.

USA on Friday face an England team full of confidence after their biggest win in a major tournament opener against Iran.

However, a repeat of that 6-2 success seems unlikely against their next opponents, who are unbeaten in two World Cup matches against the Three Lions.

And USMNT captain Adams spoke a good game on the eve of the match at Al Bayt Stadium, approaching the encounter with a positive attitude.

"England's still a big team at the end of the day," he said. "But intimidation factor? I wouldn't say there's many things out there that intimidate me, other than spiders.

"It's fine for me to have the opportunity to play against all these big players. I've done it before.

"We want to show what we're capable of and that US soccer is growing and developing in the right way."

Adams added: "I think England are currently one of the favourites to win the World Cup. I think that in a lot of games people would probably say we're the underdogs.

"But we carry that with pride. It doesn't mean anything to us, to be underdogs, to be favourites, to be anything.

"We have to stay disciplined to what we do every single day, train well, perform in the games and show up. We know that our quality can show and our determination can show.

"That being said, when we step on the field against England, we have to be prepared or a win is not possible."

Despite his optimism – and the United States' past success in this fixture, beating England at the 1950 World Cup – Adams appreciates how significant a win would be.

"I think it's a huge opportunity to fast-track the impact we can have," he said.

"These are the games, where [it is] a high-pressure, privileged moment to step on the field against some of these guys.

"We respect them – I think there's mutual respect between both teams – and when you get a result in a game like this, people start to respect Americans a little bit more."

Harry Kane will be fit to feature in England's next World Cup match against the United States on Friday, says manager Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions captain picked up an ankle injury during the second half of their opening 6-2 win against Iran in Group B and was replaced by Callum Wilson.

Kane underwent a scan on Wednesday to ascertain the severity of the injury, but concerns appeared to be abated after goalkeeper Jordan Pickford confirmed he had trained alongside the rest of the squad.

Now Southgate has said his skipper will be in line to play against the Stars and Stripes in Al Khor for their second match of Qatar 2022.

"Harry is fine. He has worked slightly separately from the group but all good for Friday night," he told BBC Sport. "He had a scan [on Wednesday] to make sure everything is fine."

Southgate also confirmed Harry Maguire is set to figure after he was withdrawn midway through the second half on Monday, adding: "He was feeling ill and that was affecting his vision.

"You worry about concussion in that instant, but we were going back through all the footage and there is nothing, so he is in a good area."

England will qualify for the knockout rounds with a win over the United States, regardless of the result between Iran and Wales elsewhere in Group B.

Southgate wants to see his side into the last-16 sooner rather than later, adding: "We would like to get qualification done as soon as possible.

"The first objective is to get out of the group. We would love to do that on Friday, but the game won't be anything like Monday.

"We have to make sure we are back to the psychological place we were at the start because the States will be an athletic team, press really well, be organised [and] well coached.

"They have quite a few players we know from the Premier League. Monday was a great start, and it is that reset to be ready for Friday."

Cameron Carter-Vickers hailed the "top-notch" dedication and consistency of former teammate Harry Kane ahead of the United States' showdown with England.

Like Kane, Carter-Vickers came through Tottenham's academy but, having spent most of his 13-year spell out on loan, he departed for Celtic on a permanent deal in July.

But the defender will be reunited with the England skipper on Friday, when the Stars and Stripes and Three Lions face off in Group B at the Al Bayt Stadium.

And Carter-Vickers heaped praise on Kane, who is three goals away from breaking Wayne Rooney's all-time national goalscoring record.

He said: "Training with him, you can see every day how hard he works, his dedication not just on the field, off the field as well. It's top-notch, and you can see how consistent he has been over the last so many years now. 

"That only comes if you are doing the right thing day in and day out. You could say that probably coming from the academy at Tottenham, you look up to players like him and other players in the first team playing well and consistently performing." 

An unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Wales, Southend-born Carter-Vickers will hope to make his World Cup bow against Gareth Southgate's side, who opened with a commanding 6-2 win over Iran.

The 24-year-old qualifies for the USA through his father - former basketball player Howard Carter - and has added motivation to achieve a positive result against the nation of his birth.

"Obviously, when I saw the group was drawn, and I saw we were in the same group as England, I was excited," he added. 

"They are one of the top teams in the world. To be able to play against them and match up against them to see where you are is a good thing. 

"They’ve got a squad full of top players. So I think we all know that we have to put in one of our best performances to beat them.

"It's a game that I really want to win, just like any other game in the World Cup. I'm not too sure how I'm going to feel when the game comes around. But I do know that I'll be doing everything I can to try and help the team win."

Carter-Vickers' teammate Yunus Musah also grew up in England, the former Arsenal trainee representing the Three Lions at various youth levels before committing to the USA in March 2021.

The Valencia midfielder, who became the Stars and Stripes' first teenage World Cup starter against Wales, is eagerly anticipating the clash.

"I have a lot of respect for them for everything they've done for me," he said. "I don't think I quite know how I'm going to feel that day.

"But it's a special game, for sure, because I played on both sides. And to be able to be on the pitch with the same national team I used to play with is just special."

Teenager Rehan Ahmed is in line to become England's youngest ever Test player, while Jofra Archer has moved closer to a return to the senior fold.

Leicestershire spinner Ahmed has been with the England Lions during their red-ball training camp and has now been added to the main team for their upcoming tour of Pakistan.

If selected for the opener in Rawalpindi on December 1, Ahmed would eclipse a 70-year-plus record held by Brian Close to become the youngest Test representative for the country.

Despite a rough performance with figures of none for 73 over eight overs for the Lions in their inter-camp match with England, coach Brendon McCullum has no hesitation in adding him to his party.

"We know he's not the finished article and has raw potential, but [captain] Ben [Stokes], myself and the rest of the coaches like how he approaches his game," McCullum stated.

"The experience of being part of the squad in Pakistan will be hugely beneficial for him, and he will add to the make-up of our squad."

Archer meanwhile, a member of the 2019 T20 World Cup-winning squad who subsequently parachuted into the Test setup, has struggled for a regular place with England amid a series of debilitating injuries.

Running out for the Lions alongside Ahmed, Archer posted figures of none for 38 off nine overs, having not played for the senior team since March 2021.

Archer has taken 42 wickets across 13 Test matches so far for England, and could be eyeing a return when the team travels to South Africa at the end of January next year.

Bukayo Saka is one of the best young players in the world and will be a huge threat to the United States' hopes when they meet England, according to goalkeeper Matt Turner.

The USA began their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Wales on Monday, and they will face a stern test of their Group B credentials against Gareth Southgate's team next time out.

Saka took centre stage as the Three Lions crushed Iran 6-2, becoming the youngest player to score a World Cup brace for England (aged 21 years and 77 days).

Turner has seen Saka's talents at close quarters since joining Arsenal from the New England Revolution in June, and he knows the USA must keep a close eye on the tricky winger if they are to stand a chance on Friday.

"I think it's pretty clear - he's one of the young stars of world football," Turner said of Saka on Wednesday.

"He's a top, top player and I think you don't need me to tell anybody on our team how much of a threat that he poses in the game.

"He's scoring goals in a variety of ways. He's really developed and mature.

"He's gotten stronger from what I understand. I've only worked with him for a few months. 

"I'm looking forward to playing against familiar faces. He's a really, really good player who can change any game that he takes part in."

Saka's double came after a fine opening goal from Jude Bellingham on Monday, which represented the first time England have had two players aged 21 or younger score in the same World Cup match.

No England player has scored in consecutive appearances in the competition when aged 21 or younger, with Michael Owen the youngest to do so at 22 years old in 2002.

Harry Kane looks set to be available for England's next World Cup encounter with the United States after Jordan Pickford confirmed the Three Lions captain had trained with the rest of the squad.

The Three Lions' star striker was replaced by Callum Wilson during the 6-2 opening win against Iran on Monday and was subsequently sent for a scan on his ankle.

Kane's importance to Gareth Southgate's set-up has been illustrated over back-to-back tournaments, having won the Golden Boot at Russia 2018 and helped lead England to the Euro 2020 final last year.

Fears that he could miss Friday's Group B encounter with the USA look to have been dispelled by Pickford, however, who confirmed the Tottenham forward had been going through drills with his team-mates.

"I think he's good," the goalkeeper stated. "[He's] probably a bit sore, but he's out on the grass with us today. That's good, he's our captain and he's fine yeah.

"Everyone gave their all when he came off, Callum came on got the assist for Jack's [Grealish] goal and played well. Everyone's training well and working hard. Everyone's here for a reason to play football.

"Harry is an unbelievable player. He's a leader he's the captain, and we all look up for him. But there's also opportunities for other lads as well.

Kane failed to find the back of the net during his side's rampant opening victory, but could yet exceed Wayne Rooney's all-time England goalscorer record over the course of the tournament.

The Three Lions are top of Group B and will effectively qualify for the knockout rounds with a victory over the USA ahead of their final group stage game against Wales on November 29.

The Danish Football Association suggested a blanket withdrawal from FIFA as their German counterparts revealed they were threatened with significant sanctions if they wore the OneLove armband at the World Cup.

Denmark, alongside the likes of Germany and England, were among several European nations to commit to wearing the armband to promote an anti-discriminatory message in Qatar.

The decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has attracted severe criticism due to the country's stance on same-sex relationships, as well as the treatment of migrant workers.

However, the teams backed down from donning the armband ahead of their opening games at the tournament amid suggestions their captains would be booked upon kick-off.

FIFA's apparent unwillingness to permit an anti-discriminatory gesture has been met with stern opposition, and Danish Football Union (DBU) president Jesper Moller is in favour of a strong response.

"There are presidential elections in FIFA," Moller said. "There are 211 countries in FIFA and I understand that the current president [Gianni Infantino] has statements of support from 207 countries. 

"Denmark is not among those countries, and we're not going to be either.

"[Leaving FIFA] is not a decision that has been made now. We have been clear about this for a long time. We have been discussing it in the Nordic region since August. 

"I've thought it again. I imagine that there may be challenges if Denmark leaves on its own, but let us see if we cannot have a dialogue on things.

"I have to think about the question of how to restore confidence in FIFA. We must evaluate what has happened, and then we must create a strategy – also with our Nordic colleagues."

The DBU's threat comes as German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf suggested a yellow card was not the full extent of the sanctions FIFA had threatened to apply.

"Today, I can say here, we also got an answer from FIFA that goes exactly in this direction. That means the referee would have to react," Neuendorf said.

"FIFA has expressly stated in its letter that it reserves the right to appeal to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in the case of such offences, in inverted commas, i.e., the wearing of the armband, which could then impose further penalties, so to speak. 

"This has been expressly confirmed in writing."

Gareth Southgate is worried and demanded "clarity" after expressing concerns England could fall foul to refereeing decisions after a pre-World Cup briefing.

FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina used an example clip of Kalvin Phillips blocking an opponent at a free-kick to help create space for Harry Maguire to score in last year's 5-0 win over Albania.

The video was used to brief referees, competing nations and the media, on how to spot foul play from set-piece situations and seemingly worked against England in Monday's 6-2 thrashing of Iran.

Maguire appeared to be dragged down by Iran's Rouzbeh Cheshmi in the opening stages, with the referee nor the VAR intervening, before John Stones conceded a late penalty for similar on Mehdi Taremi.

Southgate admitted he fears England may fall on the wrong side of decisions after Collina's briefing, citing concerns after a "definite penalty" on Maguire.

"What worries me is we were used in an example in the referees' video," the England manager said.

"What we were shown, the incident in the first half [with Maguire] would be a definite penalty.

"Maybe there's a shirt pull [for the Iran penalty] – we've got to be better on that – but I'm a bit worried we were the example shown.

"Then to get a decision as happened in the first half, we need some clarification really as to how it's going to be."

Southgate recalled the Football Association being able to discuss penalty decisions with match officials after England's 2-1 win over Tunisia at Russia 2018.

"It happened in Russia and we've got to have that dialogue with FIFA [again]," he added.

"We want clarity. Otherwise, we don't know where we stand. Goals are going in and we don't know whether they stand or not. The bit that worries me is we were the example shown."

England face the United States in their next Group B game on Friday before a clash with Wales four days later.

England captain Harry Kane will go for a scan on his ankle ahead of the Three Lions' next World Cup encounter against the United States.

Kane was brought down in a heavy challenge by Morteza Pouraliganji three minutes into the second half of England's 6-2 thrashing of Iran on Monday.

After some treatment, the striker picked himself up and continued until the 75th minute, when he was replaced by Newcastle forward Callum Wilson.

Kane was seen limping after the match with his right ankle strapped, though manager Gareth Southgate appeared unworried over the striker's fitness, saying he was replaced because the game was already won.

But the Tottenham star will now have his injury assessed, causing concern over the talisman's availability for England's second Group B fixture against the USA on Friday.

The 29-year-old registered two assists before making way for Wilson as England ran riot against Iran and would be a huge miss for Southgate if his ankle injury proves serious enough to rule him out.

Kane is just two goals away from equalling Wayne Rooney's 53 goals as the Three Lions' all-time top scorer.

David Warner believes he can stake a claim to play in Australia's next home ODI – even if that means he must wait until 2024.

The opener struck a terrific 106 in Australia's thumping win over England on Tuesday that sealed a 3-0 ODI series victory.

He joined Travis Head (156) in an opening partnership worth 269 runs, which set a record for the first wicket at the MCG.

Australia prevailed by 221 runs under Duckworth-Lewis-Stern rules at the Melbourne venue where nine days previously England celebrated winning the T20 World Cup. It was England's heaviest ODI defeat, runs-wise.

The latest century for left-hander Warner was his fifth against England and a first since the Boxing Day Test in 2017, taking him to 3,067 runs across all formats against Australia's great rivals.

That is the most runs he has scored against any opposition, albeit he has faced England 69 times and no other team on more than 50 occasions.

Indeed, Warner's all-formats batting average of 34.46 against England is the lowest he has achieved against any international team he has faced more than twice.

He was rightly jubilant to get to three figures this time, though, saying: "I think we played fantastic in this series.

"We know that with England [winning] the World Cup, and a long tournament, these games are quite hard to get up for.

"But we played exceptional cricket, the bowlers did a fantastic job and the batters just went out there and tried to execute as well as we could, especially in the power play, and we managed to do that."

Addressing a long wait for the next ODI to be played at home, which is set to come when West Indies tour in early 2024, Warner said: "Look, 2024 is a long time away. There's a lot of cricket to be played in-between there, obviously in all three formats.

"If I can keep keeping fit, scoring runs and doing the best I can for the team, yeah, I might be here."

Warner will turn 38 in October 2024 and has indicated he could retire from Tests after next year's Ashes series in England, but he evidently sees the short format as an area where he might sustain his career for longer.

England captain Jos Buttler is thriving as a limited-overs specialist, even if his team came a cropper during this series.

"We tried our best. We fell a long way short. I thought Australia outplayed us in every department and all credit to them," Buttler said.

Yet he and England will return home as world champions in cricket's shortest international format.

"We've got lots to be proud of," Buttler said. "You don't need a long memory to remember the scenes here last week. We got exactly what we wanted from coming here and we're very proud of that."

Declan Rice believes the stern criticism England received ahead of the World Cup allowed them to play with "fire in our bellies" in Monday's 6-2 thrashing of Iran.

Gareth Southgate's team faced heavy scrutiny following their humiliating Nations League relegation in September, having failed to win any of their six games in the competition.  

However, they cast aside any doubts over their form by recording England's biggest win in an opening match at any major tournament.

Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish scored and Bukayo Saka added a double at the Khalifa International Stadium.

"There were doubts about us before the tournament and we wanted to prove a lot of people wrong," Rice said.

"There has been a lot of talk about us not winning in our last six matches. By our standards, with the players we have got, we know that it hasn't been good enough.

"But this was a World Cup stage, and you could see there was a fire in our bellies.

"People will say, 'It's only Iran', but they have had some good results at past World Cups. In September, they beat Uruguay and drew with Senegal.

"It was a real positive performance, but we can't get too ahead of ourselves. It's the USA next and they are going to be another level up.

"First game, first win. We can't ask for any more."

England's next Group B contest sees them take on the United States – who they have never beaten in a World Cup match (D1 L1).

However, the Three Lions have won eight of their 11 meetings with the USA (D1 L2) in all competitions, with their last defeat to the Stars and Stripes coming in 1993.

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