October 31, 2022
The brief from today:
Ukraine still trying to make the World Cup
The Ukrainian Football Association made a startling announcement today, in which they confirmed their plan to request Iran’s exclusion from the World Cup by FIFA. It doesn’t end there, however, as their request will also suggest that they should take the place of the Middle Eastern nation. The root of Ukraine’s appeal is two-fold: the first part of it is claiming that Iran has had “possible involvement” in the Russian invasion on Ukraine, and if Russia has been banned from FIFA tournaments, then so should Iran. In addition to this point, Ukraine is also referencing the human rights record of the Iranian government, and the “violations in Iran, which may violate the principles and norms of the FIFA Statutes, taking into account the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 … to make a request to FIFA to consider excluding the Iranian national team from the 2022 FIFA World Cup”. Considering that both the allegations of Iran’s involvement in Russia’s war with Ukraine, which haven’t been proven, and the human rights issue are political, and out of FIFA’s purview, it’s unlikely this appeal will be successful. Another point is that if in fact FIFA were to entertain this matter and disqualify Iran, then whether Ukraine should take precedence over all the other countries that didn’t qualify is another issue to resolve. With the World Cup now just around the corner, it’s fairly certain that the current confirmed sides will remain in place by the start of the tournament.
Ukraine are making an attempt to get Iran excluded from the World Cup, and then take their place
France take another blow
With France’s first World Cup match scheduled on November 22, the defense of their victory four years ago in Russia is inching closer. The problems they’re are facing are mounting, however, as injuries are claiming key players from that victorious side in 2018. N’golo Kante, the engine of the World Cup winning side last time out, was ruled out of this edition about two weeks ago. Today, it was announced that his partner in the middle of the pitch, Paul Pogba, will also miss the competition. Pogba had been out since the summer with a knee injury, and recently returned to training with his club Juventus. It was thought that he would make at least one or two appearances before the World Cup, but last week Juve manager, Max Allegri, said he wouldn’t feature for the club before Qatar. This update from the Italian coach came one day after France coach, Didier Deschamps, confirmed that he wouldn’t be gambling on players who can’t prove their fitness. Well now he won’t have to roll the dice, as a checkup on Pogba’s knee showed his recovery still needs more time, and that leaves France with a major midfield void they will have to fill with inexperienced players.
France will have to do without their World Cup winning midfield duo: Pogba (left) and Kante (right)