Eden Hazard acknowledged the World Cup in Qatar will be the "last chance" for Belgium's 'Golden Generation' to triumph and says he wants to stay at Real Madrid.

With the likes of Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku to call upon, Belgium have been unable to get their hands on a major trophy.

The Red Devils have ended five of the past seven years at the top of the FIFA rankings, though they suffered quarter-final eliminations at the past two European Championships.

Belgium were also knocked out at the same stage in the 2014 World Cup before reaching the semi-finals of Russia 2018, where they were beaten by eventual winners France.

Hazard, who has endured a difficult time in Madrid following his move from Chelsea, believes Qatar will be Belgium's last opportunity to succeed with the current star-studded squad.

"I keep smiling. There are people who doubt my qualities, but not me and we will see them again," the 31-year-old said. 

"For us the World Cup is the last chance to show that we can still win something with this generation. It will be complicated, but we will give our all."

Hazard suggested "it is possible" Qatar could be his last World Cup with Belgium and says he has no intention of leaving Madrid by his own choice any time soon.

"I don't want to leave Real Madrid. The answer is clear, but it's not just up to me," he added.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has previously stated Hazard, who has started just one LaLiga game this season, is aware of the reasons for his lack of minutes with fierce competition for places.

The former Chelsea winger has struggled with injuries and fitness issues following his arrival in June 2019.

Hazard has managed just 29 starts in his four LaLiga seasons with Madrid, who trail Barcelona by two points.

Serbia head coach Dragan Stojkovic has no concerns Aleksandar Mitrovic will miss the World Cup – even if he has to go to Qatar "without a leg".

Mitrovic has impressed for Fulham in the Premier League this season with nine goals in 12 games but missed the last two matches due to a foot injury.

Fulham head coach Marco Silva suggested the Serbia international may be a doubt for the World Cup prior to Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

While Silva admitted fears over Mitrovic's chances at the World Cup, Stojkovic reiterated his more defiant stance as he suggested the Fulham forward would play on one leg.

"Mitrovic will go to the World Cup without a leg, we can also cut off his head — he'll still go," he added. "We have until tonight to change things, but I strongly doubt anything will change.

"We'll see today when they come [for training]. With his behaviour and games, and the injuries he had… He begged to play after that."

Stojkovic remains confident the 28-year-old will be fit for Serbia's Group G opener against Brazil on November 24, along with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has been sidelined with a groin issue.

Stojkovic said: "I don't like when my players don't play because of injuries. It's obvious that they are out of the team for a long time and it's good that I firmly believe that they will be ready.

"We are working on it. There is a song by Aleksandra Prijovic that says: 'It's not who was told, but who was destined'.

"I haven't seen the players yet, but now I'm going to hang out with the doctors. I guess the players will arrive by [6pm, for training].

"There are problems and small problems, but there is still a long time before the match with Brazil, this [friendly on Friday] against Bahrain is not important for us."

Presnel Kimpembe has been replaced in France's World Cup squad by the uncapped Axel Disasi, despite returning from injury for Paris Saint-Germain at the weekend.

After sitting out the wins over Juventus and Lorient, PSG defender Kimpembe played the final 15 minutes of Sunday's 5-0 Ligue 1 triumph over Auxerre.

Kimpembe, who has represented France 28 times, said after the match he "is feeling fine" and was looking forward to linking up with his country for Qatar 2022.

However, the French Football Federation announced on Monday the defender "does not consider himself sufficiently recovered" to be able to represent the reigning world champions.

Didier Deschamps has added centre-back Disasi, who has made 23 appearances for Monaco this season, to his 26-man squad as Kimpembe's replacement.

Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram has also been called up after scoring 13 times and assisting four more in 17 appearances this season.

The France squad are due to meet at their Clairefontaine training base on Monday ahead of their Group D opener against Australia on November 22.

Les Blues, who are attempting to become the third team to win back-to-back World Cups, then take on Denmark and Tunisia.

The World Cup break is "a danger" for Alejandro Garnacho as the rising star's momentum could be stifled, according to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Garnacho struck a 93rd-minute winner as a second-half substitute to rescue United a 2-1 victory in Sunday's Premier League contest with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Argentina Under-20 international, who is not part of Lionel Scaloni's senior squad for Qatar 2022, now has two goals and two assists in his past four appearances.

While impressed by the youngster's form, Ten Hag is worried five weeks without playing a competitive match could work against Garnacho.

"It is still a long way to go. He has to keep his feet on the ground – it’s the whole team now," Ten Hag said.

"He has to do much more investment as he'll be recognisable for everyone, so it’s much more important to every time confirm it, big players know that, young players don't know.

"Now it's a four-week break, that's already a danger for him because now has momentum. It's good in the season and let's see how he's coming back.

"We have to manage that, manage that with him. His attitude is good and I'm certain he will have an impact. The danger is four weeks, no games, lose focus, less investment.

"It's only when he stays with the same attitude he's shown the last three, four or five weeks that his progress will keep going. If not it goes the other way."

At 18 years and 135 days, Garnacho is the youngest player to net a 90th-minute Premier League winner since Federico Macheda for United against Aston Villa in April 2009.

Daniel James earlier cancelled out Christian Eriksen's opener, making him the 10th different player to score against United in the competition having previously played for them.

United's hard-fought victory in south London was overshadowed later on Sunday when Cristiano Ronaldo revealed in an interview he feels "betrayed" by the club.

Ronaldo has sat out United's past two matches through illness, but Ten Hag expects the superstar forward to be fit in time for Portugal's upcoming World Cup campaign.

Ten Hag, speaking ahead of the Ronaldo interview being released, said: "He's ill, but I don't think it's bad and we are confident [he'll make the World Cup."

United face Burnley in the EFL Cup fourth round on their return to action on December 19, before hosting Nottingham Forest in the league eight days later.

Jordi Alba labelled Luis Enrique as "the best coach in the world" as Spain aim for World Cup glory in Qatar.

Alba worked with Luis Enrique at Barcelona when he was in charge between 2014 and 2017 before the latter left and went on to become La Roja coach.

The former Real Madrid and Barca midfielder initially left his role in 2019 due to family reasons before returning in the same year, subsequently guiding Spain to the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

A second-place finish in the 2020-21 Nations League further added to the resume of Luis Enrique, who Alba feels is the right man to lead Spain in the Middle East at the World Cup, which starts next Sunday.

"I already know him from Barcelona. He is a direct person, who trusts the players a lot," the Barca left-back told Mundo Deportivo.

"For me, I have always said, he is the best coach in the world. Not only in the football field, but also in the human field. 

"He is very close and helps all his team-mates and that is important for all the players and for me. He has a lot of personality. He captures his idea and that all the players go in the same direction. 

"It is something very difficult and he has achieved it in all the teams he has been in. We all go to what he tells us. At that he is the best."

Alba, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets all reportedly took a significant drop in wages to allay Barca's financial difficulties after Lionel Messi left in August 2021.

The Spain left-back reiterated his commitment to Barca as he outlined his plans to stay at Camp Nou amid reports he could leave at the end of his contract in 2024.

"As far as I am concerned, I feel qualified to continue here for many years," he added. "I think that when I'm playing I'm doing well and when I'm not playing I'll support my team-mates and try to help the younger ones as much as I can. 

"I want to continue performing well. I've been here at Barcelona for many years and my intention is to stay here. Honestly, I didn't get any offer from that club, or from any other. 

"I knew the opinion of the coach, who was counting on me. There has been talk for many years that I could go on loan or sign to another club. But my intention has always been to stay here. 

"During these years I have worked hard for this club, then things will turn out for better or worse, but that will continue to be my intention until the end of the season and everything that remains on my contract."

Barca brought in the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde ahead of the 2022-23 term but were eliminated at the Champions League group stage for the second time in as many campaigns.

Xavi's side head into the World Cup break two points clear of Real Madrid at the LaLiga summit and Alba hopes to repay the faith of the Blaugrana faithful.

"This year we have not qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League and we are in the Europa League, but the people have continued with the players and that has been very important," he said.

"Now we have to try to return it in the form of titles. The deal with the fans has always been phenomenal."

Antonio Rudiger admits it would come as a "surprise" if Germany win the World Cup in Qatar, as the Real Madrid defender gears up to play a key role for his nation.

A member of the squad four years ago, Rudiger has been elevated into a starting berth for the 2014 champions and is one of the more experienced players within Hansi Flick's side.

Germany fell flat as defending champions in Russia, exiting at the group stage, and are not ranked among the favourites to go all the way in Qatar, with that honour falling to Brazil, Argentina and France.

While Rudiger is keen to go all the way in the tournament, he has conceded it would be a shock outcome if Germany were to end victorious for a fifth time in their history.

"It's exciting. In 2018 I was in the team, but always on the bench. I was young. Now I enjoy a different role, the role of leader," he told AS.

"I've worked all my life for this and it's something that makes me very happy. I'm ready.

"It's a new era. In 2014 there was an excellent generation, people like [Toni] Kroos, [Mario] Gotze, [Phillip] Lahm, [Bastian] Schweinsteiger.

"But I think now there is also a great generation of players capable of achieving something important.

"You can never get Germany out of the potential winners. But if we look at what we have done in recent months, it may be a surprise [if] we win.

"We haven't managed to do a good stage lately. In good shape, for me, is for example Brazil."

Germany have little room for mistakes in Group E as they sit alongside fellow European juggernauts Spain, along with Costa Rica and Japan, with Rudiger aware of the threat La Roja pose.

"It's a World Cup. If you want to win it you have to also beat the best, and it doesn't matter when you face them," he added.

"Spain is very, very high. Now, playing in Spain, I can see how many good players there are.

"Like Germany, it is a new generation. In football, it's hard to give things time. But I think they have a good team, a young team that may need time."

Germany's World Cup campaign begins against Japan on November 23, before then facing Spain four days later and closing the group stage against Costa Rica.

Son Heung-min has been included in South Korea's 26-man squad for the World Cup despite the Tottenham forward's injury.

The 30-year-old sustained a fractured eye socket playing against Marseille in a Champions League fixture earlier this month, putting his participation in serious doubt.

However, Son assured South Korea fans earlier this week that he would be on the plane to Qatar.

"I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you all for the messages of support I have received over the last week," the forward wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.

"I have read so many of them and truly, truly appreciate you all.

"In a tough time I received a lot of strength from you. Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too.

"I won’t miss this for the world. I can’t wait to represent our beautiful country. See you soon."

Son has now officially been included in South Korea's travelling part for the tournament that starts on November 20, with their first Group H assignment taking place four days later against Uruguay. 

Head coach Paulo Bento was not able to offer clarity on when Son could start training prior to that game.

In quotes reported by BBC Sport, Bento said: "We don't have that information yet.

"We are in contact with him, with the Tottenham medical department. We need to wait, we need to analyse day by day his situation.

"We have time to decide and the most important is he recovers as well as possible, he feels comfortable and then we will take the final decision."

Aleksandar Mitrovic remains a fitness doubt for the World Cup despite being named in Serbia's 26-man squad, according to Fulham head coach Marco Silva.

The prolific striker has nine goals in 12 Premier League matches for Fulham this season, but he missed last week's 2-1 loss to Manchester City through injury.

That foot issue is expected to rule Mitrovic out of Sunday's home match against Manchester United, with that Fulham's final outing ahead of the World Cup break.

Mitrovic was included in Dragan Stojkovic's squad on Friday, but Silva revealed the 28-year-old still requires more medical checks before being cleared to take part in Qatar.  

"What I can tell you is that it will be a decision made probably in the first days of next week, between the [Serbia] medical staff and our medical staff," Silva told reporters.

"That will help decide what is the best decision for him, and for us as a club as well because he is really important. 

"I'm not the right person to say now whether he will be fit or not to be there. 

"What I know right now is that he wasn’t ready for the last match and will not be ready for the next one, unfortunately for us.

"What I can also tell you is that he cannot be harmed. He cannot be harmed for something that will come from the decision."

Mitrovic has scored 50 goals in 76 appearances for Fulham, including eight in five in his country's successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Asked what would happen if Fulham recommended to Serbia that Mitrovic should not play, Silva said: "We don't know what will happen. 

"Mitro wants to be at the World Cup. He wanted to be available for Sunday here against Man United, and he wanted to play against City. 

"This is the thing, it is not just because he wanted to be there. You have to wait for the decision from the medical staff. After, together, we'll take a decision."

Serbia are competing at their third World Cup as an independent nation and are in Group G alongside Brazil, Cameroon and Switzerland.

Dusan Tadic will captain the side in Qatar, while the likes of Dusan Vlahovic, Luka Jovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also been included in Stojkovic's squad.

Achraf Hakimi has described Sergio Ramos as the "best defender in the world" after the latter was left out of the Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Spain head coach Luis Enrique announced his 26-man selection for the upcoming tournament in Qatar on Friday, with Ramos a notable absentee after being a part of the provisional 55-man list.

The former Real Madrid centre-back has 180 caps for Spain, and was a part of the team that won the 2010 World Cup, as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

After an injury-troubled debut season at Paris Saint-Germain following his move from the Santiago Bernabeu in 2021, Ramos has made 19 appearances this campaign already, and recently became the first PSG player to remain undefeated in his first 30 games for the club in all competitions.

However, following the news that the 36-year-old will not be heading to Qatar, his club team-mate Hakimi – who will be representing Morocco at the tournament – posted on Twitter: "Sergio Ramos. Best defend[er] in the world", with an applause emoji.

Ramos was previously left out of the Spain squad for Euro 2020 after an injury-hit final season in Madrid, with his most recent international cap coming against Kosovo in March 2021 in qualifying for Qatar 2022.

Other high-profile names left out of the squad included Manchester United's David De Gea, Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez and Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool.

At his squad announcement press conference on Friday, Luis Enrique explained: "I have a rule not to talk about absences. This happens to all coaches.

"I will not judge those who are not on the list. I thank all those who played. The most important are the 26 who are there. The absentees, I prefer not to comment. I leave it to you."

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal said he saw several of his players "naked" when he called them to inform them of his World Cup squad selections.

The Oranje have named their 26-man party for Qatar 2022, with a string of surprise selections and omissions in Friday's announcement.

Uncapped trio Xavi Simons, Jeremie Frimpong and Andries Noppert have been included, but there is no place for Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch or Newcastle United's Sven Botman.

Speaking on the calls to inform prospective squad members ahead of the announcement, Van Gaal reflected on the difficulty of his selections, while revealing he caught several players unawares.

"It was really tough," he said at a press conference. "I even took the time difference into account for the people in England. I saw naked players, because they were still in bed!

"I've said a hundred times I think this group is fantastic. But this is about the vision of the national coach. I discovered that this morning when I told a player he would not attend a World Cup. It is not easy."

Other major names missing from the Netherlands' first World Cup squad for eight years – they famously missed Russia 2018 – include Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma and NEC goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

Having missed their return to tournament football at Euro 2020 through injury, Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk will skipper the side, where he will wear the OneLove armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

FIFA has already warned against such political action in Qatar, but Van Gaal says he is not interested in the governing body's stance, instead preferring his captain's opinion.

"I think it's not important what FIFA thinks," he added. "It's about what our association thinks, how the national manager thinks about but mostly what Virgil van Dijk thinks.

"I can say something about the situation, that doesn't make a difference. [Liverpool manager Jurgen] Klopp said it the right way, and I totally back him on his opinion.

"We are going to play there, and we won't often think about the fact that things aren't done the right way. There are so many things that are not okay, even in our country."

Paulo Dybala has overcome injury to take his place in the Argentina squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The Roma forward has not played since the Giallorossi's win against Lecce on October 9 after suffering a thigh problem, though reports had suggested he was close to a return.

That appears to be the case as Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has named Dybala in his 26-man squad for Qatar, a list headlined by Lionel Messi in what is expected to be his final World Cup.

The 35-year-old has rediscovered his form at Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 12 goals in 18 games this season, and he will be joined in attack by the only Albiceleste player to equal him for goals in qualifying (seven), Lautaro Martinez, as well as Dybala, Angel Di Maria, Joaquin Correa, Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez.

Like Dybala, Tottenham centre-back Cristian Romero has recovered from injury in time to make it, with Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez also on the plane.

However, Villarreal midfielder Giovani Los Celso has failed to make the cut after recently sustaining a hamstring injury.

Impressive 21-year-old midfielder Enzo Fernandez earns his place in the squad after a good start to life at Benfica, while Brighton and Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister has also been rewarded for his form in the Premier League.

The two-time World Cup winners begin their campaign on November 22 against Saudi Arabia, before facing Mexico and Poland in their other Group C games.

Argentina squad:

Franco Armani (River Plate), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Geronimo Rulli (Villarreal); Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon); Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Enzo Fernandez (Benfica), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis); Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Joaquin Correa (Inter), Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain).

Erik ten Hag says Alejandro Garnacho's potential inclusion in Argentina's Qatar 2022 World Cup squad would not be "the right step" for the Manchester United teenager.

La Albiceleste are set to announce their 26-man party for this month's tournament next Monday, where the reigning Copa America champions are considered among the frontrunners.

With Lionel Messi set to likely compete in his final World Cup, Lionel Scaloni's side will not be short of motivation, and there have been suggestions Garnacho could be a surprise name in the squad.

But Ten Hag is not sure it would be the best thing for the winger's development.

"It's difficult to say," he stated. "I don't know all the available Argentina players, what is available for them from 26. It's a big step to go to a World Cup, where the best players in the world come together.

"It's a big step. I don't know if that's the right step for him. I think he has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop. I think [he has to] go from game to game."

Garnacho was a live-wire performer for United as they progressed to the last 16 of the EFL Cup on Thursday with a 4-2 win over Aston Villa, providing two assists after coming off the bench.

The teenager has lacked regular minutes this term, though he has been a frequent performer in Europe, with four Europa League appearances and a goal to his name.

The Danish Football Association (DBU) says it is "regrettable" that FIFA have rejected their request to train with shirts emblazoned with the phrase "human rights for all" at the World Cup.

Denmark revealed in September toned down Hummel kits for their World Cup jerseys, including a third black kit, as a protest to Qatar's human rights record.

The DBU have been proactive in their criticism of Qatar's treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws, minimizing commercial activities in the nation while stating last year that training kit sponsors would make way for messages.

DBU chief executive Jakob Jensen revealed on Thursday that FIFA had turned down their training shirts submission.

"We have today got a message from FIFA that the training shirts our players were to train in, where it would say 'human rights for all' at the stomach [of the shirt], have been rejected due to technical reasons, which is regrettable," Jensen told Ritzau news agency.

"We believe the message "human rights for all" is universal and not a political call, but something everyone can support."

FIFA's rules stipulate that any team equipment cannot have political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, while the organization wrote to teams recently to urge them to focus on football in Qatar rather than ideological or political issues.

Players from Australia, who are in Denmark's group along with France and Tunisia, recently released a video criticizing the human rights record of Qatar, specifically migrant workers and LGBTQ+ people.

Veteran strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have earned selection to their fourth consecutive World Cup, headlining Uruguay's squad announcement on Thursday.

Cavani, 35, was considered in doubt due to a recurring ankle injury, which has seen him complete a full 90 minutes just once this LaLiga season for Valencia. 

Following that 90-minute performance, he was withdrawn just 18 minutes into Valencia's following game against Barcelona on October 29, and is yet to return.

Suarez, who is also 35, played in both September friendlies, contributing an assist in a 2-0 win against fellow World Cup qualifiers Canada to indicate he is still at the required level, despite playing his club football for Nacional in the Uruguayan First Division.

While the seasoned strike partnership will provide experience, Uruguay's squad also has a strong mix of younger emerging talent, headlined by 24-year-old Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.

Cavani and Valverde lead an impressive group joining the squad from LaLiga, which includes centre-backs Ronald Araujo from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez.

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur and Manchester United's Facundo Pellistri are the squad's only Premier League representatives, while Napoli's Mathias Olivera, Roma's Matias Vina and Lazio's Matias Vecino represent Serie A.

Uruguay begin their campaign on November 24 against South Korea, before facing Portugal on November 28 and wrapping up Group H against Ghana on December 2.

Uruguay squad: Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Sergio Rochet (Nacional), Sebastián Sosa (Independiente); Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), Martín Caceres (LA Galaxy), Sebastian Coates (Sporting CP), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godín (Velez Sarsfield), Mathias Olivera (Napoli), Jose Luis Rodriguez (Nacional), Guillermo Varela (Flamengo), Matias Vina (Roma); Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Nicolas de la Cruz (River Plate), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Matías Vecino (Lazio); Agustín Cannobio (Athletico Paranaense), Edinson Cavani (Valencia), Maxi Gomez (Trabzonspor), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool), Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United), Luis Suarez (Nacional), Facundo Torres (Orlando City).

Gareth Southgate says it may have been perceived as "arrogant" to select Reece James for England at the World Cup with "too many unknowns" over his recovery from injury.

The Chelsea full-back was left out of England's 26-man squad for the World Cup, which starts on November 20 in Qatar, after being sidelined since October 11 with a knee issue.

James sustained the injury in a Champions League clash with Milan and, despite no initial concern, scans revealed damaged ligaments could keep him out for up to eight weeks.

The 22-year-old still hoped to make England's travelling party but Three Lions manager Southgate opted to leave the right-back out due to the unknown nature of his recovery.

"We had to make a very difficult call with Reece, who is a fantastic player," Southgate said.

"He was not going to be available – if everything went perfectly – until the latter stages of the tournament and there were too many unknowns for us on that road to recovery."

Kyle Walker was still selected despite not playing since limping off in Manchester City's derby-day victory over Manchester United on October 2.

Southgate suggested Walker has made more encouraging progression in his recovery as he claimed including James may not be looked upon favourably due to issues over his group-stage availability.

"I do not think we can take a player who is not available for the group stage, that would be deemed arrogant in some circles," the 52-year-old added.

"But if everything went well and he was available, we would be dropping him into a quarter-final after eight weeks out. That would be really demanding. So it was a tough call.

"Kyle is a long way ahead of that and is progressing really well."

England face Iran in their World Cup opener before Group B fixtures against the United States and Wales.

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