Seven Reds players will aim to achieve World Cup success with their countries.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker, Fabinho and Darwin Nunez are set to participate in the tournament group stage, which gets under way on November 20th. The World Cup kicks off in Qatar with a match between Qatar and Ecuador.
In the group stage, each national team will play three matches, and, most likely, each player of the Reds will have time to play at the start of the tournament. Here’s all the details on how to follow their progress…
England – Alexander-Arnold and Henderson
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson could be the first club representatives to potentially take to the field at the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s team, semi-finalists in previous World Cup, the first match to play with Iran. It will take place on November 21. The Three Lions, who were also runners-up at Euro 2020, then face USA and Wales as they seek a place in the knockout rounds.
Fixtures:
England v Iran – November 21, 13:00 GMT
England v USA – November 25, 19:00 GMT
Wales v England – November 29, 19:00 GMT
Netherlands – van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk’s participation will also begin on November 21, with the centre-back to captain the Netherlands in their tilt at the trophy.
First up for the Louis van Gaal’s charges is a clash with Senegal, to kick off their Group A schedule. Senegal will be without Liverpool legend Sadio Mane for the World Cup due to injury. Dutch will move on to meetings with Ecuador and hosts Qatar as they target the nation’s maiden World Cup success.
Fixtures:
Senegal v Netherlands – November 21, 16:00 GMT
Netherlands v Ecuador – November 25, 16:00 GMT
Netherlands v Qatar – November 29, 15:00 GMT
France – Konate
Ibrahima Konate was not previously called up to the Les Bleus. Liverpool’s No.5 was delighted to get the call from Didier Deschamps for the tournament, describing it as ‘a childhood dream come true’.
France squad aiming to achieve back-to-back World Cup triumphs, with Didier Deschamps’ team the winners four years ago at Russia. The Les Bleus defence gets under way against Australia, and contests versus Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
Fixtures:
France v Australia – November 22, 19:00 GMT
France v Denmark – November 26, 16:00 GMT
Tunisia v France – November 30, 15:00 GMT
Brazil – Alisson and Fabinho
Brazil’s quest for a sixth World Cup victory will be aided by Alisson Becker and Fabinho, however, there was no place in the Selesao for Roberto Firmino. But even without the Reds No.9, Brazil look like one of the favorites of the tournament.
Brazil will be one of the last countries to commence their journey in the World Cup. Selesao starts its way to the World Cup on November 24 with a match against the Serbian national team. And face versus Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.
Fixtures:
Brazil v Serbia – November 24, 19:00 GMT
Brazil v Switzerland – November 28, 16:00 GMT
Cameroon v Brazil – December 2, 19:00 GMT
Uruguay – Nunez
Darwin Nunez with nine goals in 18 appearances for the Liverpool so far this season, No.27 will now aim to deliver on the tournament for Uruguay. “Everyone is strong, but so are we. We want to go far, our goal is to win the World Cup,” said the forward ahead of the competition.
Having scored nine goals in eighteen appearances at Liverpool this season, Nunes will now look to help his national side in Qatar. “All teams are strong, but so are we. We want to go far, our goal is to win the World Cup,” said the striker.
Uruguay will play in Group H with South Korea, Portugal and Ghana.
Fixtures:
Uruguay v South Korea – November 24, 13:00 GMT
Portugal v Uruguay – November 28, 19:00 GMT
Ghana v Uruguay – December 2, 15:00 GMT
