FIXTURES:
Tuesday, November 22@1pm:
Argentina v Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, November 22@4pm:
RELATED STORIES
Denmark v Tunisia
Tuesday, November 22@7pm:
Mexico v Poland
Tuesday, November 22@10pm:
France v Australia
RESULTS:
England 6 Iran 2
Senegal 0 Netherlands 2
USA 1 Wales 1
Defending champions France, plunged by injuries, begin their campaign to retain the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, November 22 when they play Australia in the late kick-off game.
Unlike four years ago in Russia when they won the World Cup title, France’s squad has been decimated by injuries to key players such as Paul Pogba, Ngolo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and Karim Benzema, who will miss the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
It is against such background that Tuesday’s opener for the champions against Australia will provide a real test to their credentials of trying to retain the trophy.
On the other hand, former champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, open their campaign against minnows Saudi Arabia in the lunchtime kick-off. All focus will be on Messi, arguably the world’s best player of this generation, as he attempts for the third time to win the World Cup trophy.
It is the only missing accolade in Messi’s illustrious football career.
In the other games on Tuesday, Tunisia, one of Africa’s five representatives in Qatar, will take on Denmark while perennial campaigners Mexico face Poland.
WINNING START FOR ENGLAND, NETHERLANDS
Meanwhile, England and The Netherlands make a winning start to their World Cup campaign in Qatar by beating Iran (6-2) and Senegal (2-0) respectively.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was the star for England in the emphatic victory over Iran. Saka scored two of England’s goals.
African champions Senegal were indeed blunt in front of goal without Sadio Mane, who was ruled out last week due to injury.
