England's largest group of LGBTQ+ supporters confirm they will not join at the Qatar World Cup for security reasons
Joe White, the co-chair of Pride in Football, told me FIFA’s passivity was “stunning” and people were “excluded from the biggest football tournament” Joe White, co-chair of Pride in Football, told me that no member of the Three Lions will be at the World Cup this winter after statements from FIFA or Qatar World Cup committee failed to convince LGBTQ+ supporters will be welcome in the game. Qatar FIFA World Cup fans can buy England Football World Cup Tickets from our website.
Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf States, and despite FIFA’s recent efforts to allay the fears of LGBTQ+ supporters, White, who uses their/their pronouns, believes it is an example of doing too little, too late.
They described the inaction of the world football administration in the 12 years after the victory of the World Cup in Qatar as “stunning”.
“Not one of the group’s LGBTQ+ supporters is going,” they told me.
“I, like many others, have voted on the ballot, but in the end, why spend the money to go to a country where you don’t feel safe?
Three Lions Pride in Football
“The biggest difficulty was not getting in touch with fans or fan groups until December last year – more than a decade after Qatar won the championship. No one can say that there is no time to address these issues.”
“It’s all been done too late. And it’s pretty clear that most of it has had more to do with PR than ensuring the safety of people travelling to the tournament.”
“We have a complete lack of faith in FIFA and Qatar’s World Cup committee, despite everything they have come out with over the past few months. People are feeling excluded from the biggest tournament in football.”
“And for FIFA to make their logo a rainbow during Pride Month really flies in the face of everything they’re not doing to ensure that the world’s biggest tournament is as inclusive as it’s possible to be. They’re sitting there offering platitudes but the inaction is breathtaking.”
Although the group which numbers around 200 travelled to Russia for the 2018 tournament both countries are hostile to the LGBTQ+ supporters, the Three Lions Pride group was formed in the run-up to the Russia World Cup and with one eye on Qatar 2022.
Joe White
“This is obviously a very exciting England side and we didn’t want to miss out on being there and enjoying watching this side try and go as far as they can,” says White. “But you have to balance that with the personal cost of going.
“Are people going to go into the closet again for five weeks? Or are you going to be yourself and risk the consequences?
“This can be a heavy personal cost, not only for us but also for our friends and family.
“We have had very good discussions with the FA, but in the end. We have not received the answers we need from FIFA or the Qatar World Cup committee. These discussions should have taken place 18 months ago and not within a year of the game.”
“The only thing I could eventually get rid of is if I work with the FSE (European football supporters), watch the abuse and report it. But at the moment that seems unlikely.”
“The World Cup should be a celebration for anyone who loves football and watches their country, at Webley or anywhere in the world. The fact that 2022 is off is very, very sad.”
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England FIFA World Cup 2022 squad: when will Gareth Southgate announce his lineup of players for the Qatar World Cup?
England’s World Cup excitement will increase when manager Gareth Southgate finally confirms that his team will be heading to Qatar.
Southgate has less than half a Premier League season to review his players before making a decision. But he is familiar with his options after six years on the job.
England reached their first semi-final at the 2018 World Cup since 1996 and reached the final for the first time. Since Italy lost on penalties at the European Championship last summer.
A group that includes Wales, Iran and the United States is waiting for them, and many believe England will do better.
Here’s everything you need to know about Southgate’s roster.
When will it be announced?
The current plan is to name a tentative lineup on Friday, October 21. It was a month before the World Cup, although nothing would stop Southgate from naming his squad until then. England will then hope and pray that the players will survive the last few rounds of the Premier League unscathed.
Tuesday, November 8 seems to be the date when the final line-up will be announced, although that could change.
Who’s in the lineup?
Goalkeepers Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope are all well known in the squad. They will remain so unless there is slippage or surprise elsewhere. As things stand, Pope will play with Burnley in the championship.
Defensively, there’s a solid core Southgate will likely pick if his fitness allows. Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier, John Stones and Luke Shaw.
England has talent at right-back and Trent-Alexander-Arnold and Reece James may both have the space. But they could go awry if Luke Chilwell is selected as a second specialist left-back. James Justin and Tyrick Mitchell are both capped and more defensive. Qatar World Cup 2022 fans can buy England Vs Iran Tickets from our website.
Ben White and Marc Guehi will push to complete Southgate’s centre-back. As will Fikayo Tomori, who won the league with AC Milan last season. However, Southgate has remained loyal to Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings, who led the way. Especially if Southgate prefers a back three Eric Dier is in the picture.
In midfield, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are expected to play selected when needed. James-Ward Prowse, Connor Gallagher and Emile Smith Rowe are in the margins. Ward-Prowse is known for his professional set-piece skills.
Offensively, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling appeared to be Southgate’s first-choice top three. Tammy Abraham can represent Kane, while Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford will fight to regain their place at United and progress under Eric Ten Hag. Jarrod Bowen was called up to the National League after an excellent season. The likes of Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin dropped in the standings.
How the squad could look
Goalkeepers: Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ben White, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kieran Tripper, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden
Attackers: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling
How many players can England allow?
The World Cup roster will be expanded from 23 to 26 players under new measures from FIFA to reduce potential fatigue issues during this year’s World Cup.
The world governing body has decided, for the first time in modern times, to increase team limits to allow managers to choose from a larger pool of players, minimizing the risk of injury and potentially reducing the strain on players. The team must be named by the manager no later than November 13, 8 days before the tournament starts.
Preliminary player lists will be submitted by managers until then – national associations can put 55 players on their long list. Which will then be reduced at a later date. There is a limit of 26 people on the benches for the competition. This includes 15 substitutes and 11 team officials, one of whom must be a team doctor.
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