World Cup 2022: Will England’s Harry Kane wear ‘One Love’ armband against Iran? A shock is expected between Senegal and the Netherlands… What awaits you this Monday 21st November

After Qatar’s opening defeat against Ecuador (2-0), all eyes will be on England’s opponents this Monday afternoon (2pm): Will the Iranian players show their solidarity with the victims of the protests? Who is bleeding? Iran?

For the first time in a modern World Cup, Monday’s matches will be played in a more restricted area: a few kilometers separate the Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium (40,000 seats) from the Al Thumama Stadium (40,000 seats), west of the Qatari capital. ) to the south, and the Khalifa International Stadium (40,000 seats) is halfway there.

How will the Qatari authorities manage this unprecedented population flow in a country of less than 3 million people?

After many pre-match non-sporting controversies, the day was worth passing for the Gulf’s tiny emirate’s traffic, three metro lines from Hamad International Airport and vast urban highways nestled between skyscrapers. Doha

Important test

It will be a crucial test for the defense system with the arrival of fiery English supporters, who will be deprived of beer at the stadium to enter the “Three Lions” run against Iran.

Sunday’s opener was thrashed as the hosts entered the run-up to their first World Cup, despite the stands emptying in the second half in the face of discomfort from the home crowd.

However, some supporters were left cold by the volte-face of organizers on Friday who suddenly decided not to sell alcohol around the grounds.

“If everything is called into question, what about the safety of LGBT supporters, the possibility of standing in the stadium to support your team, the possibility of kissing in the street?” asks Ronan Ewain, general manager of Football Supporters. Union of Europe.

In a country where homosexuality and sex outside marriage are criminalised, officials have repeatedly said “everyone is welcome”. Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani posted a message on Sunday ahead of his inauguration: “How beautiful it is for people to preserve their diversity while simultaneously putting aside the things that unite them.”

Multi colored bracelet

The last few days have been dominated by a new controversy over the need for several European selections in support of diversity to wear colored armbands: FIFA, which called on everyone to “focus on football”, responded by delivering its own consensus message. Hand straps.

Harry Kane could become the first captain to don the “One Love” mantle on Monday, flouting FIFA’s guidelines, while French world champions Hugo Lloris, who will be on stage against Australia on Tuesday, is not counting the wood.

On Sunday, England reaffirmed their desire to wear a multi-coloured armband, while saying the decision was subject to ongoing discussions with FIFA. Either way, Kane and his teammates will have to kneel just before kick-off, something England have been practicing for months to denounce all forms of discrimination.

On the ground, Europe 2021 vice-champions England are Group B favorites and will have to prove it against an Iran side that has been undermined by weeks of violent crackdowns that have torn the country apart and undermined unity surrounding the selection.

In action (5pm Paris time), the tournament’s first poster will be Senegal, the African champions, against coach Louis van Gaal’s ambitious Netherlands.

While injuries have ruled several big names out of the World Cup, including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Senegal star Sadio Mane (fake) and Dutch star striker Memphis Depay (fatal) will miss out on Monday…

Finally, in the evening, a young team from the United States will take on Wales star Gareth Bale, keen to gain experience for 2026. Because in four years, the U.S. team will be at the World Cup. Large outcrops can be found between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.