FIFA’s concussion protocol is still Medieval and that was on full display during the first half of England’s opener vs. Iran on Monday. Iran’s goalkeeper, Alireza Beiranvand, had a nasty clash of heads with teammate Majid Hosseini in the eighth minute.
Here was the incident that took place.
England is already knocking pic.twitter.com/Y9t5lfHMi6
It's officially been confirmed that France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has picked up an injury in training, forcing him to miss the World Cup.
The Frenchman had only joined his teammates Saturday as he recovered from a previous injury but had to leave the session after sustaining a further knock. According to the French national team, he injured his left quadriceps in training. The precise extent of the injury is unknown, but Benzema will not take any further part in his national team's campaign or preparations.
DOHA - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defense.
Benzema trained with the squad for the first time since arriving in Qatar on Saturday but was forced to leave the session early with a thigh injury and scans ruled him out of the tournament.
Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No".
Following is a list of players who have been ruled out or are doubtful for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup through injury.
PAUL POGBA (FRANCE)
Pogba injured his knee in pre-season and went under the knife in September to repair a damaged meniscus. The 29-year-old resumed training but on Oct. 31 his agent said the midfielder would not return to action for Juventus nor the world champions before the World Cup.
Senegal forward Sadio Mané has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar in a crushing blow to his team’s chances after officials confirmed on Thursday he would need surgery on a leg injury sustained in the run-up to the tournament.
Mané had been a doubt for the west African side after injuring his right fibula playing for German club Bayern Munich.
"Unfortunately, today's (Thursday) MRI shows us that the recovery is not as favorable as we hoped and we unfortunately resolve to declare Sadio's withdrawal from the World Cup," Senegal team doctor Manuel Afonso told reporters.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani will replace RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku in the France squad for the World Cup in Qatar, the French federation (FFF) said on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps has called up Randal Kolo Muani to replace Christopher Nkunku! #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/bFsbLfI7wI
México jugará este miércoles frente a Suecia su último amistoso antes de la Copa del Mundo. El duelo servirá para afinar los últimos detalles tácticos en la pizarra de Gerardo Martino, pero también para ver en qué condiciones se encuentra Raúl Jiménez de cara al torneo.
El delantero de Wolverhampton fue nombrado en la lista final del Tri para Catar pese a que no juega desde el mes de agosto debido a una pubalgia. El jugador, de hecho, no está totalmente recuperado de la lesión y muchos se preguntan si la decisión de convocarlo fue un error de Martino.
Tigres volvió a ser campeón de la Liga MX Femenil. Después de dos torneos mordiendo el polvo, las Amazonas vencieron al América y sumaron su quinto título, consolidándose de paso como el equipo más ganador en la historia de la competencia.
Wales captain Gareth Bale says he is 100% fit to play for his country at their first World Cup since 1958.
The 33-year-old is Wales' all-time top scorer with 40 goals in 108 games but has struggled with injuries this season.
Wales kick off their campaign against the United States next Monday and also face Iran and England in Group B.