Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lamented the fact the World Cup will be held in Qatar and said the media should have done more to hold FIFA to account.

The tournament is due to begin on November 20 after Qatar won the right to stage it in controversial circumstances 12 years ago, when FIFA also announced Russia as the 2018 hosts.

Those decisions came under heavy scrutiny amid allegations of corruption within world football's governing body, which has since undergone a reshuffle following the exit of embattled former president Sepp Blatter.

Critics have cited several reasons why Qatar is not a suitable host nation, with its human rights record, treatment of migrant workers and laws against same-sex relationships of particular concern.

For its part, FIFA has urged competing nations to "focus on the football", but that will do little to assuage the fears of the tournament's most impassioned critics, which includes human rights organisations such as Amnesty International.

Klopp felt it was too late to effect any change now and suggested the media should have done more and acted sooner to prevent the situation from unfolding the way it has.

"I watched an old documentary about the whole situation when it got announced that Russia and Qatar are the places for the next two World Cups," he said on Friday.

"I think it was the first time in history that they announced two in one. And the whole situation around it, we all know how it happened and how we still let it happen and no legal thing afterward. It was still hidden everywhere. And you think, wow, how could that all happen?

"It's 12 years ago and now it's here and it's coming. It has nothing to do with Qatar, they won the World Cup and it's now it's there.

"We talk about human rights in a sense of the people who have to work there in circumstances, which are, say it nicely, difficult. So, we couldn't play the World Cup there in the summer, because of the temperature. It's now pretty hot. And there was not one stadium in Qatar or maybe one.

"They have to build stadiums and nobody thought about that. I don't think everybody mentioned it that day. That is what makes you angry. How can it not? Again, I watch it from a football point of view and I don't like the fact that now players from time to time get in a situation where they have now to send a message.

"You are all journalists; you have should have sent a message. You didn't write the most critical article about it or not about it because it's Qatar. 

"Now it's there and I'll let them play the games. Let them just play the games...and don't put Gareth Southgate constantly in a situation where he has to talk about everything. I'm not a politician who has an opinion. And he's not a politician.

"He's the manager of England, let him do that and if you want to write something else about it, then do it but by yourself without asking us and all these kinds of things. And Klopp said and Southgate said, and all these kinds of things as if it will change anything. We all, you more than I, let it happen 12 years ago."

Klopp continued to rail against the lack of intervention when the tournament was first awarded and conceded this would be "different from other World Cups".

"Do you really think that we did enough in the first place? Now making a story of it when it's happened...and getting players under pressure questioning these kinds of things," he said.

"Things are organised by other people and I don't say you let it happen. But we all let it happen. At that time, everything was on the table. Everything was on the table. It was that long ago when we really could have sorted it.

"It's not to say anything about Qatar. They won the World Cup. I can understand for whatever reason, it's fine. I want a lot of things and don't get them and carry on with it. I will watch games, of course. But yes, it is different from other World Cups."

Amnesty International has accused FIFA of brushing human rights concerns "under the carpet" after president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura called on participating nations to "focus on the football" at the World Cup.

The decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar has been criticised due to concerns over the country's human rights record, with the conditions of migrant workers and the criminalisation of homosexuality being highlighted.

Less than two weeks before the World Cup begins, Infantino and Samoura wrote to each participating nation, saying football must not be dragged "into every ideological or political battle that exists".

Amnesty, who called on FIFA to create a compensation fund for workers who suffered during the tournament's preparations in May, has now hit out at those comments.

In a media release on Friday, the human rights charity repeated the demand for compensation and lamented organisers' "astonishing" failure to address the concerns of the LGBTQ+ community.

"If Gianni Infantino wants the world to 'focus on the football', there is a simple solution: FIFA could finally start tackling the serious human rights issues, rather than brushing them under the carpet," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty's head of economic and social justice.

"A first step would be publicly committing to the establishment of a fund to compensate migrant workers before the tournament kicks off, and ensuring that LGBT people do not face discrimination or harassment. It is astonishing they still have not done so. 

"Gianni Infantino is right to say that 'football does not exist in a vacuum'.

"Hundreds of thousands of workers have faced abuses to make this tournament possible and their rights cannot be forgotten or dismissed. 

"They deserve justice and compensation, not empty words, and time is running out."

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Paul Pogba have been confirmed to appear in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 as part of a future update.

The trio of footballers were teased by developers Activision to be "suiting up" for appearances for Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 and Call of Duty Mobile – displaying some teaser art in a social media post.

Characters for Pogba and Neymar have already been leaked on social media by dataminers, though Messi's look is yet to be shown. It is expected their introduction will coincide with the World Cup in Qatar.

Neymar and Messi are no strangers to the world of video games, with the Paris Saint-Germain duo introduced to PUBG earlier this year, while Neymar was featured in Fortnite back in 2021.

Modern Warfare II was officially released on October 28 and quickly broke records for the fastest start for the franchise in terms of revenue, with a further boost expected later this month when Warzone 2.0 is released.

Messi and Neymar will star for Argentina and Brazil respectively in the World Cup in Qatar, though France will be without Pogba due to injury.

Xavi believes Lionel Messi could finally get his hands on the World Cup in Qatar, tipping Argentina alongside Brazil as favourites to land the trophy.

The closest Messi has come to being a World Cup winner was when Argentina were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final.

His unprecedented seven Ballon d'Or successes underline Messi's individual greatness, but he is missing the most valued team prize of all.

Winning the Copa America with Argentina last year gave him a first major title in senior international football, with Argentina getting the better of Brazil at the Maracana in the final.

Now, at the age of 35, and in his final World Cup, Argentina captain Messi goes again, with former Barcelona team-mate Xavi strongly rating the Albiceleste's chances.

"Argentina and Brazil are a step ahead of everyone else," Xavi said on Friday.

"I see them very strong as a team, also with individual players, physical and in terms of tactics and strategy as well, they're two great teams.

"I think they're a step ahead of some of the best European teams right now. But in a World Cup you can never know. Everything can become complicated."

Xavi, a World Cup winner in 2010 with Spain and now head coach at Barcelona, added: "The European teams are very important: Spain, France, even England, have got very strong national sides, but I think Brazil and Argentina are a step stronger."

Brazil are five-time World Cup winners but have not triumphed since Ronaldo's eight goals drove them to 2002 glory, while Argentina have carried off the trophy twice, in 1978 and 1986.

Messi, surprisingly, has never scored in the knockout rounds and is four goals behind Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina's World Cup record scorer (10 goals).

European teams have dominated the World Cup in recent times, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France winning the last four editions.

Jamie Carragher has accused FIFA of putting players in a "disgusting" position by planting the Qatar World Cup slap bang in the middle of the club season.

For most players involved, the tournament will be taking place while their domestic leagues are put on hold, after it was decided Qatar would not be able to host in the usual June-July time slot, due to its climate.

It means the leading lights of the game are playing important club games just days before the opening matches of the World Cup, knowing an injury, even at a minor level, could scupper hopes of being involved.

Former Liverpool and England defender Carragher said a World Cup in November and December is "absurd" and "has succeeded in compromising every major football competition this season, including their own showpiece event".

He said there would "almost be a perverse sense of justice" if stars of the game suffer minor injury blows in the coming weeks that rule them out of the World Cup, due to the tournament's "indecent timing".

But Carragher suspects those that pushed for Qatar to host would not feel responsible, saying: "To them, elite footballers are like cattle. They get well paid and should get on with it, regardless of the psychological and physical consequences."

Carragher pointed to the example of Raphael Varane coming off in tears for Manchester United against Chelsea last month, putting his France prospects in doubt.

He wrote in the Telegraph: "It is disgusting that players are being put in such a position, and they are at their most vulnerable right now as they are expected to go full throttle in the final weeks before joining their national team.

"In normal circumstances, the squads would already be at the pre-tournament training camp, the fine-tuning under way before the opening ceremony."

Carragher added: "The decisions at the top have materially enhanced the risk of injuries. That was inevitable when the World Cup was arranged in mid-season. Everyone with even the slightest understanding of the demands upon a top-level footballer knew that."

The 44-year-old Carragher spent a decade in and around the England squad, at a time when John Terry and Rio Ferdinand were usually ahead of him in the pecking order.

He still won 38 caps and went to the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and believes the upcoming tournament taking place in Qatar casts shame on the game.

Carragher argues football's authorities made a major error by voting to give the World Cup to a country with a widely criticised human rights record. Critics have pointed to Qatar's treatment of LGBTQ+ people, and the death of many migrant workers on construction sites ahead of the tournament.

"Qatar must be the tipping point," Carragher added. "This can never happen again and there are already signs of professional players mobilising to ensure it never will. FIFA and other national bodies must be forced to act as well as listen.

"The 2022 World Cup symbolises FIFA's ultimate power. They pushed ahead, ripping up the football calendar knowing nothing could stop them."

Antonio Conte accused football's organisers of demonstrating a lack of care for players after Son Heung-min joined Tottenham's mounting injury list ahead of the World Cup.

Tottenham have the chance to move 13 points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table when they host the Reds on Sunday, but have been beset by fitness concerns in recent weeks.

With Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski already sidelined, Spurs suffered a huge blow on Tuesday when Son sustained a fracture around his left eye in their Champions League win at Marseille, throwing his chances of featuring in Qatar into doubt.

Defender Cristian Romero, meanwhile, has missed Tottenham's last two games with a calf problem, and will not be fit to return against Liverpool.

Speaking at Friday's pre-match news conference, Conte said the game's organisers were paying lip service to concerns over player welfare.

"It's better to start with a smile. We need to face this situation, we need to try to finish these three games in the best possible way," Conte said.

"We have these injuries; Richarlison is not available for the game, it's the same for Romero.

"About Romero, I can tell you if he has the possibility to play with one leg, he will play with one leg. I tell the fans that we have players really committed to the club. 

"Maybe Romero has an injury because he wanted to take a risk, but for sure, many teams are having big injuries, because we are playing every three days.

"We are seeing this situation is impossible for the future. Many times, I hear about the welfare of the players, but [talking] is only a polite way of showing they care. 

"They're not really worried about the welfare of the players if the schedule is this, if the most important thing is that the show must go on. 

"In the future, I don't want to hear or speak about the welfare of the players, because this is not true."

Conte offered more positive updates on the conditions of Rodrigo Bentancur and Kulusevski – the latter having not featured since September after sustaining a hamstring injury – but Lucas Moura's participation against Liverpool appears uncertain.

"Bentancur is much better and was part of a training session," Conte said. "It was the same for Kulusevski, he had half a training session with us.

"The problem is Lucas Moura is having different phases with his pain. Today it was really bad, and they told me he was really worried about this. I asked him to try to be available."

Sunday's match will represent the first time Tottenham have hosted Liverpool while above them in the Premier League table since October 2017, when they posted a 4-1 win over the Reds.

That, however, remains Spurs' most recent league victory against Liverpool, who are unbeaten in the teams' nine subsequent meetings in the competition (W6 D3).

Chelsea boss Graham Potter admits every player with World Cup aspirations is in "a tricky position" as domestic football continues just days before teams fly to Qatar.

The Blues are waiting on news of Ben Chilwell's hamstring injury, as he headed for a scan on Friday amid fears the muscle is torn, which would rule him out of England's plans.

Potter understands players have concerns about suffering injuries at such an unfortunate moment, but will demand his squad hold nothing back in Sunday's Premier League meeting with Arsenal.

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is poised to face his former club, and unlike many of his team-mates does not need to worry about the World Cup, which starts on November 20, having retired from international football within months of Gabon failing to qualify.

Asked about possible fear of World Cup hopefuls getting hurt, Potter said in a press conference: "I don't think it's fear. I just think it's part of the challenge.

"It's very difficult to play Premier League football or Champions League football and go at it half-hearted. That's pretty much impossible. At the same time, there's a World Cup a couple of weeks away, so it's a tricky position for everybody."

Chelsea needed to wait for swelling to reduce before sending left-back Chilwell to be assessed, and Potter did not sound positive about the defender's England prospects.

"We all saw the nature of the injury," Potter said. "I can't say it looks positive, but until we get the scan it's difficult to say. At the moment we're just hopeful and fingers crossed, and from there we see how to get him back fit and strong. It's disappointing, of course."

Aubameyang's exit from Arsenal in February, when he moved to Barcelona, came after an apparent falling-out with head coach Mikel Arteta, as the former Gunners captain lost his first-team place.

After a short stint at Barcelona, Chelsea jumped at the chance to bring Aubameyang back to England, and Potter concurred it would be "an interesting one" for the 33-year-old this weekend.

"I don't think we should make it about him," he added. "I think it's about the team. He's an important part of the team and for us to get the result we want takes everybody, not just one person.

"I understand the interest is about him because it's Arsenal and there's a narrative about that. But as a team and a group we have to do well ourselves."

As for whether Aubameyang has anything to prove to Arsenal, for whom he scored 92 goals across all competitions, Potter suggested not.

"I don't think so. I think he's looking forward to the game, excited for it," Potter said. "He's been pretty normal from what I've seen, he's quite a quiet guy, but I'm sure come matchday he'll be determined."

Potter praised Arsenal's support for Arteta, who came under pressure in the early stages of his tenure, describing the backing the Spaniard has received as "a really good example of how success can come".

Former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Potter is still learning the ropes at Chelsea, but he had success against Arsenal during his time with the Seagulls, winning three of his six Premier League games against the Gunners (D1 L2).

Chelsea will hope that boosts their prospects, given they have lost three of their last four league games against Arsenal, more defeats than they had experienced in their previous 17 in the rivalry.

Moreover, Arsenal have won on their last two league visits to Stamford Bridge, as many victories as they achieved in their previous 16 visits.

League leaders Arsenal have not won three in a row at Stamford Bridge since April 1974, but that could change on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp believes the problems arising from a "crazy" mid-season World Cup should have been addressed long ago amid a swathe of injuries affecting big-name players.

Debates around the scheduling of the tournament, which begins when hosts Qatar face Ecuador on November 20, have intensified after several players' hopes of featuring were thrown into doubt.

England trio Kyle Walker, Reece James and Ben Chilwell are fighting to be fit for the tournament, while South Korea's Son Heung-min is also a doubt after suffering a fracture around his left eye in Tottenham's Champions League win at Marseille on Tuesday.

Liverpool great Jamie Carragher responded to that injury by calling the World Cup's timing an "absolute disgrace", but Klopp says football missed the chance to challenge it.

Asked about the situation ahead of Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Spurs, Klopp interjected: "I hate this subject. These problems were so clear, so clear.

"Nobody mentioned it once until three, four weeks before the World Cup, when all of a sudden a player gets injured and we think, 'Oh, he cannot play the World Cup'. 

"This specific problem that players who were injured late in the season cannot play the World Cup is not new. After a long season, it happens everywhere in the world. 

"But now, starting the World Cup a week after the last game, that's a bigger risk. Crazy.

"Nobody cares about us, how we deal with it. You ask me a question as if I can give you all the answers; what do you think I should do? Ask the players before Southampton or before Derby [County]: 'Really? [Do you] want to play?' 

"We are all guilty – you more than I am guilty – for letting it happen, for letting it happen in the first place. 

"Now it's happened, and now we have this situation, and that's it. For the players who get injured and cannot play, it's a disaster. But how can we change that?"

Mason Mount described Ben Chilwell's hamstring agony as "tough to watch" and hopes his Chelsea and England team-mate can recover in time to feature at the World Cup.

Left-back Chilwell was forced from the field during stoppage time in the Blues' 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.

With the Qatar 2022 finals less than three weeks away, Chilwell faces a race to prove his fitness for England boss Gareth Southgate, deepening what is already becoming a defensive crisis for the Three Lions.

Mount was left fearing the worst for Chilwell, but he remained hopeful it may not be as serious an injury as it looked at first glance.

"We don't know how bad it is, but that was tough to watch," Mount told Chelsea's official website. "We saw his reaction and that never looks good.

"As soon as you feel something and to not even think about the ball, it's tough. We know what's coming up, hopefully it's not too bad and he can be back as soon as possible because we need him as well."

While Chilwell's place on the plane now looks in doubt, one player who has given his tournament prospects a shot in the arm is Raheem Sterling.

The England winger broke his Blues drought with a goal in the midweek win, and Mount was delighted to see Sterling on the scoresheet for the first time since September.

"It's brilliant for Raz," Mount said. "He took his goal very well. He doesn't think about how many games he goes without scoring.

"He's so focused on helping the team and getting in the right positions. It will come for him, we know how good he is."

Chelsea next play Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League. England will play their opening World Cup game against Iran on November 21.

Jurgen Klopp will be the Premier League manager who benefits the most from a mid-season World Cup, according to former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The Reds manager has been a firm opponent of the Qatar 2022 finals being slotted into mid-season, which has happened because the climate in Qatar made it unfeasible to stage the tournament in its usual June-July slot.

Klopp said earlier this season it was taking place "at the wrong moment for the wrong reasons", but his message has changed in recent times, with Klopp optimistic the break from Premier League duty could help Liverpool.

He said his team "will be different" once the domestic season resumes, with Liverpool having six weeks without a game between their November 12 clash with Southampton and the December 26 trip to Aston Villa.

The likes of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota will have time to recover from injuries, and Klopp's squad is not loaded with players who are likely to be first choice for their countries at the World Cup. For the likes of Mohamed Salah, who did not qualify with Egypt, there will be a break from the treadmill of game after game.

To an extent, it will be like a bonus pre-season spell for Klopp and his players, a time to recharge and refocus, with last year's quadruple push having sapped many at Anfield, particularly the late-season anguish of missing out on the Premier League and Champions League titles.

"I think fighting for four trophies and all the games that they had really took its toll," Friedel told Stats Perform.

"They've also had some injuries, they have players that are going to be leaving for the World Cup. And I think for all the clubs in the Premier League, this World Cup break – not really a break – but the World Cup is going to help them the most.

"I think after the World Cup, you're going to see a completely different Liverpool team. But I think just the injury, suspensions and mental fatigue have been the main things."

Former United States shot-stopper Friedel had a three-year spell at Liverpool from 1997 to 2000, and also played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

It was Liverpool who gave him his big break in England, and he has been taken aback to see Klopp's team struggle as badly as they have done this season, despite their 2021-22 exertions.

They face Spurs on Sunday, when Friedel is bound to have split loyalties. After 12 rounds of Premier League games, Liverpool have won four, drawn four and lost four, to sit ninth in the table, after consecutive defeats to Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

"[I've been] really surprised. But they've got one of the world's best managers, got one of the best squads. They had a lot of games last year, a lot of tired minds, a lot of tired legs, and they've had injuries and suspensions this year," Friedel said.

"I'm not worried about Liverpool at all. They should keep rolling with who they have and how they play. They'll come out of it and they'll be consistent again, and I couldn't say enough nice things about Jurgen Klopp and what he's done for the club."

He holds the belief Liverpool can still finish in the top four, to earn Champions League football next season.

"I think they're going to be there," Friedel said. "There's always a team from the bottom that comes up."

He says the sale of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich and arrival in his place of Darwin Nunez always meant there would be a transition period.

"When big players come and go, that happens all the time at clubs," Friedel said. "I would say [it is having] more of an impact as it's taking a little bit longer for Nunez to have consistent form.

"Losing a player happens. Once Nunez finds his feet, and I know Liverpool also have the ways and means to go out in the transfer market again, they'll get that position right."

Beth Mead has stated her opposition to the men's World Cup going ahead in Qatar, with England's Euro 2022 hero saying it shows there is "no respect on a lot of levels".

With the Qatar 2022 finals beginning on November 20, players are poised to depart within days for the finals.

Qatar's human rights record has been widely criticised, with its treatment of groups such as the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers particularly highlighted by campaign groups

Mead, who is in a relationship with her Arsenal team-mate Vivianne Miedema, said the tournament was one she would not "be backing or promoting".

Qatar was awarded the World Cup in December 2010 after a vote of FIFA members, to the disbelief of many in the game.

Officials from Qatar have strenuously denied allegations of corruption in the process, while saying the tournament will be a force for good in the country, and now they will get the world stage for football's most prestigious event.

Mead told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour: "For me, from the minute it was announced I thought, 'I mean, it's not the best idea'.

"The way they think and how they go is the complete opposite to what I believe and respect, and although I'm cheering for the boys who are going to play football there, I still don't believe it's the right place."

Mead was player of the tournament and Golden Boot winner in England's women's European Championship triumph, and she will hit the global stage next year when Australia and New Zealand co-host the Women's World Cup.

She is disappointed that a country with Qatar's rights record got to this point in being given such a platform by football's authorities.

"But unfortunately money talks," Mead said, "and the situation even of the stadiums being built and the amount of people who have passed [died] because of that, it's not an ideal situation, and it's not something I will be backing or promoting at all, but unfortunately it is going ahead.

"Just disappointing, I guess, in that sense of there's no respect on a lot of levels, even though it's a game of football."

Jurgen Klopp believes it is unfair to expect players to engage in political protests at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

The decision to host the tournament in Qatar – where male homosexuality is illegal – has long been criticised due to concerns about the country's human rights record.

England's Harry Kane will be among eight European captains to wear a distinctive heart-adorned armband at the tournament, in order to raise awareness of the OneLove campaign against discrimination.

Meanwhile, tennis great Billie Jean King has called on players to act as "influencers" in Qatar, but Klopp believes handing down that level of responsibility is unjust.

"I understand 100 per cent that we talk about it," Liverpool manager Klopp told Sky News after receiving the Freedom of the City on Wednesday. 

"But it's not fair to talk now to the players and give responsibility to them, because it's more than 10 years ago that other people decided [to host the World Cup in Qatar], and we all accepted the decision.

"I watched documentaries recently about the election of Russia [in 2018] and Qatar, so it's not about this generation of players to say now that 'we don't go' or 'we don't do that'.

"These are the players. The tournament is in Qatar. The players go there and play the game. 

"The decision was made by other people and if you want to criticise anybody, then criticise the people who made the decision. Not the sport, not the competition and for sure, not the players. 

"It's not fair that we expect from them that they go there and make big political statements or whatever. It's just not fair."

Klopp did offer his support when asked about the OneLove campaign, but reiterated his belief players should not be expected to protest the initial decision to stage the tournament in Qatar.

He said: "That's absolutely fine, but what I don't like is that we expect them [the players] to do something. They go there to play football. The big tournament was organised and planned by other people."

Last week, Australia's players launched a campaign to highlight World Cup host Qatar’s human rights record.

Bukayo Saka has returned to training with Arsenal, easing fears regarding his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup.

Saka was forced off in the 27th minute of Sunday's 5-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest following a heavy challenge from Renan Lodi, having assisted Gabriel Martinelli's opener.

The youngster's injury led to fears he might not be fit to feature in Gareth Southgate's squad for Qatar, but on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta confirmed Saka had overcome the problem.

With Arsenal looking to top their Europa League group by beating Zurich, Saka has joined Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny in making a return to training.

"They are in different stages, obviously. Mo had a long-term injury but has recovered in a really good way and has been training with the team for a week or two," Arteta said in a press conference.

"Oleks' [return] was very recent, and he trained in just two sessions, and Bukayo just missed one or two and was fine today."

Arteta was asked whether Saka wanted to play on after suffering the injury, and stressed the importance of making a rapid decision in such situations. 

"We're using our brains and our common sense, but obviously he had a kick and wasn't comfortable," Arteta added. 

"We made a decision to get him off, and now he's feeling fine. We'll assess each individual as it comes.

"We had to make a decision and we couldn't delay a situation like that, because every minute that a player is not 100 per cent to play, it's costing the team. We have to make those decisions quickly."

Asked whether officials offer enough protection to players like Saka, the Gunners boss added: "I'm sure the referees have looked at all the incidents, all the fouls, the number of fouls our front players are getting, and it's their job to manage that situation in the best possible way."

Gareth Southgate says his position as England manager makes it difficult for him to speak out on political issues ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

 Harry Kane will be among several captains to wear a distinctive heart-adorned armband at the tournament, as part of the OneLove campaign against discrimination.

The captains of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland and Wales will also wear the armband in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are criminalised.

Speaking to Iranian football podcast Gol Bezan, Southgate insisted he always endeavours to "make a difference" through his role, but must also consider the consequences of his words.

"I think there is a balance," Southgate said. "Our first job is to create a good football team, and with our national teams, there is always the opportunity to affect things beyond football.

"When that's been in a situation that has directly affected us, for example experiences of racism as a team with players from lots of different backgrounds, who have had tough journeys in their lives, we have been able to speak about those things authentically and we have been able to make a difference.

"But then there are other things that are, politically, more difficult to be clear on. With the tournament being in Qatar, we have had to do a lot of research and be clear on what we might be able to affect and what we might not be able to affect, what areas the government is dealing with.

"I have a responsibility as a national manager. I can't just speak and not think about the consequences of the position I hold, so I am always assessing all of those things and, where we can make a difference, we'd like to.

"Where we're not as informed or there are cultural differences, we also acknowledge and are respectful that other countries have differences as well.

"It is complicated, and I'm not a university-educated guy. I'm a guy who left school at 16 and is trying his best to help where I can."

England midfielder Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, says onlookers will always expect those involved in the game to do more to combat social issues. 

"When you do things as a team or as players, I'm always conscious that no matter what we do, it will never be enough," Henderson told BBC Sport.

"You've got to be satisfied in your own mind and know what you're doing you think is right and go with that."

Sergio Ramos has described the prospect of returning to Luis Enrique's Spain squad for the World Cup as a "dream" after enjoying a strong start to the season with Paris Saint-Germain.

Ramos has won an incredible 180 caps for Spain – more than any other player in the country's history – and has played at each of the past four World Cups.

However, the defender was left out of Luis Enrique's squad for Euro 2020 after an injury-plagued final season with Real Madrid, and only made eight Ligue 1 starts in his first campaign with PSG.

Having already made 10 league starts this season, Ramos is targeting a first international appearance since March 2021 against Kosovo and believes he will play at the highest level for several more years.

"Everyone knows what it means to me to defend the colours of my country," Ramos said at a news conference ahead of PSG's Champions League fixture against Juventus on Wednesday.

"After a difficult season, I feel good again, I'm playing again and I'm available. I still hope to return to the selection, and I dream of the World Cup. 

"But we have to wait and continue to play at the best level to convince the coach. I hope I will have the chance to play in another World Cup.

"Last year was difficult. I was injured, I had to adapt after spending most of my career at Real. At no time did I think it was the end of my career. It was a challenge. 

"Last year is forgotten. There have been changes and I'm happy, I'm totally adapted to Paris and I'm hungry for titles. 

"If I think it is over, I will stay at home to take care of my children, but I think I can last a few more years at the best level in football."

Ramos became the first player in PSG's history to remain unbeaten through their first 30 appearances for the club with Saturday's 4-3 win over Troyes, a game in which Lionel Messi scored his seventh league goal of the season.

Like Ramos, Messi appears to have hit his stride at the perfect time with the World Cup just around the corner, and the defender says he is fortunate to have him as a team-mate.  

"My relationship with Messi is excellent," Ramos added. "We can see on the field. There is great respect between the players and a good state of mind.

"Messi is always at the top level. He continues to be one of the most decisive players in the world. It's a privilege to have him in our team. I see him very focused, like last year. 

"Maybe he has the World Cup in the back of his mind, but he's focused on being good on the pitch."