SPORTS DESK
DOHA: Qatar and Ecuador will play the first match of FIFA World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium today (Sunday) while as many as 10 football stars will miss the mega event in Qatar due to injuries.
Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante (France) and FIFA World Cup
Karim Benzema: French football striker Karim Benzema will not part of the FIFA World Cup as he confronts with injury and requires several weeks to recover from the injury.
Paul Pogba: He did not include in the France’s squad as he did not recover from knee injury. The star of defending Champion France will miss the football world cup in Qatar.
N’Golo Kante: The serious hamstring injury of N’Golo Kante has ruled out his participation in the mega event of FIFA World Cup. He played a key role to win FIFA World Cup four years ago.
Sadio Mane (Senegal) and Football World Cup
The name of African’s star Sadio Mane has also been excluded from the squad just two days before of first match of football world cup.
Marcus Reus (Germany) and Football World Cup
Marcus Reus: This is not the first time that he is not taking part in FIFA World Cup. Earlier, he missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup because of injury. The German team will miss its star Marcus Reus in Qatar.
Diogo Jota of Portugal and Football World Cup
Diogo Jota: Portugal’s man will not be the part of FIFA World Cup as he suffered a calf injury in a match in October. His absence is being viewed a setback for Portugal as the team is being considered favorite for the FIFA World Cup.
Amine Harit (Morocco) and Football World Cup
Amine Harit: He is facing with a knee injury and fans of football will miss him in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, he will visit Doha to support his team in the mega event of football.
Arthur Melo (Brazil) and Football World Cup
Arthur Melo: The Brazilian star will not be available for football world cup in Qatar as he suffered with injuries during a training session.
Yuta Nakayama (Japan) and Football World Cup
Yuta Nakayama: Japanese will play its match against Germany on November 23. However, Yuta Nakayama will not represent his team in FIFA World Cup as he suffered injury in a match in England.
Jojo Wallacott (Ghana) and Football World Cup
Jojo Wallacott: Ghana will play its opening match against Portugal on 24 of this month. However, the team will play without Jojo Wallacott due to finger injury. Media reports said that he will travel Qatar but will not play football.
Giovani Lo Ceslo (Argentina) and Football World Cup Giovani Lo Ceslo: The team Argentina are among the favorites for FIFA World Cup in the Gulf country. Fans attach high hopes with Lionel Messi. Giovani Lo Celso was ruled out following a muscle tear in September
FIFA World Cup Groups
Group A
Ecuador
Netherlands
Qatar
Senegal
Group B
USA
Iran
Wales
England
Group C
Mexico
Poland
Saudi Arabia
Argentina
Group D
France
Tunisia
Australia
Denmark
Group E
Spain
Germany
Costa Rica
Japan
Group F
Belgium
Croatia
Canada
Morocco
Group G
Brazil
Switzerland
Cameroon
Serbia
Group H
Portugal
Ghana
South Korea
Uruguay
The opening match of the football world cup will be played in the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor between Qatar and Ecuador today. The stadium has a seating capacity of around 60,000 people. Reports said that 1.2 million fans from across the world would watch the tournament matches physically. The World Cup’s football final will be played on December 18.
