World Cup 2022 LIVE: Messi leads Argentina to victory in epic final, Southgate STAYING as England boss – latest updates

France deploying 14,000 cops for final

France is bracing for further riots ahead of the 2022 World Cup final, with 14,000 cops deployed across the country.

Officials in Paris have requested the Champs-Elysees be shut down ahead of the Les Bleus’ final clash against Argentina on Sunday.

The measures are taken amid fears of “civil war scenes” after the riots that broke out following the country’s victory over Morocco that saw a 14-year-old boy killed in Montpellier.

The French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has announced security has been increased in the country for this weekend, with 12,800 police officers expected to be deployed on Saturday and another 14,000 on Sunday.

French authorities have called for the Champs-Elysees to be shut down ahead of Sunday’s match.

The avenue will be closed to traffic on Sunday and 2,750 cops will be stationed in the vicinity.

Busquets quits playing for Spain

Sergio Busquets has marked the end of Spain’s golden era by announcing his international retirement, writes DAN KING.

The only survivor of the 2010 World Cup-winning side to play in Qatar has called it a day after being the midfield mainstay of the all-conquering team.

Busquets, 34, who also won the 2012 Euros with Spain, said: “I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 games, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team.

“I would like to thank all the people who have been with me on this long road. From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy it until the last second.”

Unfortunately for Spain and Busquets, that last second was having his penalty saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou as the World Cup surprise packages scored a famous shootout victory in the last 16.

Busquets said in his Instagram post: “It has been an honour to represent my country and take it to the top, to be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games with greater or lesser success

“But I’ve always given everything and always contributed my grain of sand so that everything was as right as possible and that everyone felt how important they are, helping everyone and fighting for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historical experiences.”

Southgate is 'expected to stay'

England insiders tip Gareth Southgate to STAY.

The Telegraph claim sources close to the Three Lions' camp are confident he will see out his contract until December 2024.

Southgate says he is "reviewing" his position" after France KO'd England in the World Cup quarter-finals.

But his players hope he remains in charge for the bid to qualify for Euro 2024.

And now it's said the FA believe they will not have to seek out a successor.

Ukraine 'peace plea' blocked

Fifa have blocked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky from giving a World Cup Final message – as President Gianni Infantino said the pitch must never be a place for protests, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

Zelensky wanted to “share a message of world peace” via video link to the fans inside the Lusail iconic stadium.

But the approach was rebuffed with a source in the Ukrainian government complaining: “We thought Fifa wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”

The decision came soon after Infantino publicly put his side of the One Love armband row with England, Wales and six other European teams for the first time.

Infantino claimed: “I honestly believe we ARE defending values, human rights and the rights of everybody.

“Everybody is free to express their views, opinions and beliefs but on the pitch, the field of play, we need to respect football and those regulation protect 211 football teams and their fans.

“The fans who come to the stadium and the billions watching the World Cup on television, each of them has their own problems.

“They just want to spend 90, 100, 105, maybe 120 minutes plus penalties without having to think about anything else, to enjoy a little moment of pleasure and emotion.

“We just need to give these people  a moment of time in their life where they can forget their own problems and enjoy football.”

Ukraine 'peace plea' blocked

Fifa have blocked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky from giving a World Cup Final message – as President Gianni Infantino said the pitch must never be a place for protests, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

Zelensky wanted to “share a message of world peace” via video link to the fans inside the Lusail iconic stadium.

But the approach was rebuffed with a source in the Ukrainian government complaining: “We thought Fifa wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”

The decision came soon after Infantino publicly put his side of the One Love armband row with England, Wales and six other European teams for the first time.

Infantino claimed: “I honestly believe we ARE defending values, human rights and the rights of everybody.

“Everybody is free to express their views, opinions and beliefs but on the pitch, the field of play, we need to respect football and those regulation protect 211 football teams and their fans.

“The fans who come to the stadium and the billions watching the World Cup on television, each of them has their own problems.

“They just want to spend 90, 100, 105, maybe 120 minutes plus penalties without having to think about anything else, to enjoy a little moment of pleasure and emotion.

“We just need to give these people  a moment of time in their life where they can forget their own problems and enjoy football.”

French injury crisis

France’s preparation for the World Cup final has been thrown into chaos after a number of first-team stars missed training.

The 2018 champions will be defending their title against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on Sunday.

However, they have suffered an early dent to their aspirations of being the first team to defend the Jules Rimet since Brazil in 1962 with a number of stars missing training through illness and injury.

Semi-final centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate were both reported to be missing training due to flu earlier today.

Kingsley Coman has since been added to those absent with flu, with the winger also feeling feverish before the Morocco clash.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and full-back Theo Hernandez have been added to the list of absentees.

RMC report the pair are missing due to physical issues rather than viral. Tchouameni, who has been one of the shining stars of the tournament, was missing due to a hip bruise.

Meanwhile, Hernandez is said to be missing due to a knee problem.

Unlike Golden Generation, Gareth's men play like a team

Patrice Evra has urged Gareth Southgate to continue as the England manager.

The former Manchester United defender hailed the Three Lions boss as the “future of England”.

Southgate is statistically the best England manager of all time, having led the side to a World Cup semi-final and Euros final before this tournament’s quarter-final defeat to France.

Following the exit from the tournament in Qatar, there have been question marks over Southgate’s future as manager of England – with the FA giving him Christmas to think about it.

Evra told Sky Sports: “This England squad is not better than the England squad when you had like Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and all of that. But they play as a team, and he built that.

“Southgate should stay, Southgate is the future of England.

“But I sometimes think, with personal reasons, when you feel like you’re doing great, and you’re still being criticised, maybe some people from your family would say, ‘you know what? You need to retire’.

“But people forget that England was in the final of the Euros, and now they lose against France.

“Of course, they could have won that game. But please, I ask the fans in England, and I love the English fans… give more credit to your team and your players because they are doing a fantastic job”.

Wenger leads drive to improve football in poor nations

Arsene Wenger will spearhead a new £165million drive to improve player quality across the world’s poorer countries, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

Former Arsenal boss Wenger, now head of Fifa’s global football development department, has pushed hard for the green light for the new Talent Development Scheme.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino confirmed the official backing at yesterday’s meeting of the game’s ruling Council, which will see the funds available from the start of next year.

The plan is to “create a sustainable legacy for long-term player development” with Wenger believing that the talent pool in Africa, Asia and Central America has not been properly tapped.

Wenger will help each national association with its development plans and pathways in the expectation that it will “give every talent a chance”. 

Unlike previous Fifa projects, funding will be allocated on a case by case basis rather than with a fixed sum to all associations.

And any money from the fund not spent by the end of 2026 will be put into a long-term fund for the less wealthy football nations.

France's ill players have been confined to their rooms.

Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate are the latest to miss training after catching colds.

Centre-back Dayot Upamecano and playmaker Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday's 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco .

France's Eintracht Frankfurt's striker Randal Kolo Muani said: "Those who are sick stay in their rooms.

"They're being taken care of by the doctors and we've been enforcing social distancing. We're very strict about it."

Toughest final to predict EVER

Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and France is the toughest to predict ever – according to bookies.

Coral rate both teams at 10-11 to triumph and 7-4 to win in 90 minutes.

Lionel Messi is as short as 1-5 for the Golden Ball, with Kylian Mbappe the 9-2 second favourite.

Coral’s John Hill said: “There is absolutely nothing between these two teams in our betting, which means this is the closest World Cup final in history!

BETTING: World Cup final – to lift trophy: 10-11 Argentina, 10-11 France 90 minutes market: 7-4 Argentina, 2 Draw, 7-4 France.

Golden Ball: 1-5 Lionel Messi, 9-2 Kylian Mbappe, 12 Antoine Griezmann, 50 Julien Alvarez, 100 Olivier Giroud.

Taylor 'blocked from reffing the final'

English referee Anthony Taylor was reportedly blocked from refereeing the World Cup final between Argentina and France. 

The showpiece event in Qatar will stage the battle between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on Sunday. 

Despite no suggestion refs would be influenced, the aim is to avoid any situations where the teams involved could complain about bias.

Animosity around the Falklands War was displayed again this week after Argentina’s semi-final win over Croatia.

Players were heard singing a chant popular with their fans called Muchachos - which references the Falklands War and aims insults at England and Brazil.

Nicolas Otamendi filmed shirtless Argentina players singing "Ingleses putos de Malvinas no me olvido", which has a rough translation of "f***ing English in the Falklands, I don't forget".

Ronaldo exit 'changes Utd's January plans'

Manchester United's planning for the January window has been shaken up by Cristiano Ronaldo's mid-World Cup departure.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano believes a new striker has shot up boss Erik ten Hag's list of options for the new year - rather than the end of the season.

Romano claims the Utd board are "now already exploring the market to find a solution in January".

Ron's abrupt exit without a pay-off is thought to have saved the Red Devils around £17million.

FA eye historic Fifa role for Debbie

EXCLUSIVE: FA chair Debbie Hewitt wants to become the UK’s representative on Fifa - to ensure English football has a voice in the world’s corridors of power, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

Wembley boss Hewitt knows Fifa president Gianni Infantino from her role with sponsors Visa Europe.

But the lack of English power at Fifa was made clear by the armband row that dogged the build-up to the opening group game with Iran.

And that has helped confirm the FA’s belief that it needs to regain the British vice-presidency role taken by Northern Ireland’s David Martin after Hewitt’s disgraced predecessor Greg Clarke was forced to quit in 2020.

An FA spokesperson said: “International football is a strategic priority for the FA.

“Debbie Hewitt is standing for the position of Uefa British Vice President in the Fifa Council with the full support of the FA Board.“

'Southgate is the future'

Patrice Evra has urged Gareth Southgate to continue as the England manager.

The former Manchester United defender hailed the Three Lions boss as the "future of England".

Southgate is statistically the best England manager of all time, having led the side to a World Cup semi-final and Euros final before this tournament's quarter-final defeat to France.

Following the exit from the tournament in Qatar, there have been question marks over Southgate's future as manager of England - with the FA giving him Christmas to think about it.

Evra told Sky Sports: "This England squad is not better than the England squad when you had like Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and all of that. But they play as a team, and he built that.

"Southgate should stay, Southgate is the future of England.

"But I sometimes think, with personal reasons, when you feel like you're doing great, and you're still being criticised, maybe some people from your family would say, 'you know what? You need to retire'.

"But people forget that England was in the final of the Euros, and now they lose against France.

"Of course, they could have won that game. But please, I ask the fans in England, and I love the English fans... give more credit to your team and your players because they are doing a fantastic job".

Messi ‘told Dembele off for dribbling’

Ousmane Dembele has revealed how Lionel Messi told him off for DRIBBLING too much, writes CHARLIE WYETT.

The French winger hopes to wreck his former team-mate’s World Cup dream in the final against Argentina.

Dembele, 25, played with Messi, the ultimate dribbler, for four years at Barcelona before the superstar moved to PSG.

He said: “I was 20 when I arrived and Messi was amazing. I was doing lots of things like dribbling by myself so he taught me to play in a team, taught me to be more composed and to do assists.

“In the dressing room he is a very simple person. He is modest, helps the younger players and taught me a lot. It is difficult to play against him but we will do everything we can. He is very, very dangerous.

“I have had some great times with Messi. I always said he’s a dream person to play with. I am happy to have had four great years with him.”

Fifa block Zelensky 'peace' message

Fifa have blocked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky from giving a World Cup Final message - as President Gianni Infantino said the pitch must never be a place for protests, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

Zelensky wanted to “share a message of world peace” via video link to the fans inside the Lusail iconic stadium.

But the approach was rebuffed with a source in the Ukrainian government complaining: “We thought Fifa wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”

The decision came soon after Infantino publicly put his side of the One Love armband row with England, Wales and six other European teams for the first time.

Infantino claimed: “I honestly believe we ARE defending values, human rights and the rights of everybody.

“Everybody is free to express their views, opinions and beliefs but on the pitch, the field of play, we need to respect football and those regulation protect 211 football teams and their fans.

“The fans who come to the stadium and the billions watching the World Cup on television, each of them has their own problems.

“They just want to spend 90, 100, 105, maybe 120 minutes plus penalties without having to think about anything else, to enjoy a little moment of pleasure and emotion.

“We just need to give these people  a moment of time in their life where they can forget their own problems and enjoy football."

Most evenly-matched final in history

Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and France is the toughest to predict ever - according to bookies.

Coral rate both teams at 10-11 to triumph and 7-4 to win in 90 minutes.

Lionel Messi is as short as 1-5 for the Golden Ball, with Kylian Mbappe the 9-2 second favourite.

Coral's John Hill said: “There is absolutely nothing between these two teams in our betting, which means this is the closest World Cup final in history!

BETTING: World Cup final – to lift trophy: 10-11 Argentina, 10-11 France 90 minutes market: 7-4 Argentina, 2 Draw, 7-4 France.

Golden Ball: 1-5 Lionel Messi, 9-2 Kylian Mbappe, 12 Antoine Griezmann, 50 Julien Alvarez, 100 Olivier Giroud.

Busquets quits playing for Spain

Sergio Busquets has marked the end of Spain’s golden era by announcing his international retirement, writes DAN KING.

The only survivor of the 2010 World Cup-winning side to play in Qatar has called it a day after being the midfield mainstay of the all-conquering team.

Busquets, 34, who also won the 2012 Euros with Spain, said: “I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 games, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team.

“I would like to thank all the people who have been with me on this long road. From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy it until the last second.”

Unfortunately for Spain and Busquets, that last second was having his penalty saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou as the World Cup surprise packages scored a famous shootout victory in the last 16.

Busquets said in his Instagram post: “It has been an honour to represent my country and take it to the top, to be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games with greater or lesser success

“But I’ve always given everything and always contributed my grain of sand so that everything was as right as possible and that everyone felt how important they are, helping everyone and fighting for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historical experiences."

Hair apparent

Paul Pogba could not resist a playful dig at the haircut of Weston McKennie.

World Cup star McKennie returned to club side Juventus sporting a red, white and blue hairdo.

And former Manchester United star Pogba, known for his own flamboyant trims, joked that American McKennie was actually supporting another country with the same colours.

McKennie appeared alongside Pogba on the Frenchman's Instagram story, with the 29-year-old wrapping his arm around the shoulder of his team-mate.

He then joked: "My guy supporting France," with the pair sharing a laugh after the comments.

McKennie put on a strong showing at the World Cup alongside midfield partner Tyler Adams, with the latter being linked with a move to Man Utd after his exploits.

Dembele: World Cup glory 'great' for Messi

France winger Ousmane Dembele says it would be "great" for Lionel Messi if his former Barcelona team-mate finally lifts the World Cup for Argentina on Sunday.

But of course Dembele is desperate to help France lift the crown for the second successive time.

The former Manchester United target said: “We are the French team, we are in a World Cup final, we are fighting for our country, the team.

"The road we have been on and all the players want the French people to be proud of us. It would be great for Lionel to win but we want to win.”

Messi 'told Dembele off for dribbling'

Ousmane Dembele has revealed how Lionel Messi told him off for DRIBBLING too much, writes CHARLIE WYETT.

The French winger hopes to wreck his former team-mate’s World Cup dream in the final against Argentina.

Dembele, 25, played with Messi, the ultimate dribbler, for four years at Barcelona before the superstar moved to PSG.

He said: “I was 20 when I arrived and Messi was amazing. I was doing lots of things like dribbling by myself so he taught me to play in a team, taught me to be more composed and to do assists.

“In the dressing room he is a very simple person. He is modest, helps the younger players and taught me a lot. It is difficult to play against him but we will do everything we can. He is very, very dangerous.

“I have had some great times with Messi. I always said he's a dream person to play with. I am happy to have had four great years with him.”

French injury crisis

France's preparation for the World Cup final has been thrown into chaos after a number of first-team stars missed training.

The 2018 champions will be defending their title against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on Sunday.

However, they have suffered an early dent to their aspirations of being the first team to defend the Jules Rimet since Brazil in 1962 with a number of stars missing training through illness and injury.

Semi-final centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate were both reported to be missing training due to flu earlier today.

Kingsley Coman has since been added to those absent with flu, with the winger also feeling feverish before the Morocco clash.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and full-back Theo Hernandez have been added to the list of absentees.

RMC report the pair are missing due to physical issues rather than viral. Tchouameni, who has been one of the shining stars of the tournament, was missing due to a hip bruise.

Meanwhile, Hernandez is said to be missing due to a knee problem.

New 32-team Club World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced a new 32-team Club World Cup.

The Men’s competition will get underway in 2025 four years after the initial 24-team plan was scrapped due to the pandemic.

A Women’s Club World Cup will also be launched, with further details to be offered in due time.

The 2022 Club World Cup will be held in Morocco in February with seven teams which has been the norm

Antoine's Messi Griez-ance

France star Antoine Griezmann will have a personal bid to stop Lionel Messi winning the World Cup following his reported snub at Barcelona.

The former Barcelona team-mates go up against each other when Les Blues face Argentina at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

However, Griezmann is likely to have a little extra fire in the belly to get one over Messi in Qatar.

That is because, as per the Daily Mail, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner did not give the forward the accepting welcome he expected when he joined from Atletico Madrid, where he plays.

The Frenchman signed in 2019 but it was when the squad returned from the COVID-19 break that the fractions became clear.

The squad was split into small groups for training - and it was Ansu Fati with Messi and Luis Suarez, not Griezmann.

With the power the Argentina captain held at the Nou Camp, he could easily have swung it to have the Atletico star join the close friends - but the Argentine did not

Infantino announces new plans

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced a series of plans that will transform the football calendar - SunSport runs through them:

• A 32-team Club World Cup to run every four years from 2025. Up to 16 European teams will be involved which could see four Prem sides invited.
• The September and October international breaks to be merged into a single 16-day block taking out two Prem weekends from 2024
• Every second March, starting from 2026, will bring the “FIFA World Series”, four-team mini-tournaments featuring sides from different Confederations to give African and Asian sides more experience of playing European and South American opposition
• FIFA revenues to rise to £9billion over the next four years, up almost 50 per cent. But that does not include the potential £2bn-plus from the Club World Cup
• Onfield protests and gestures by teams to be banned in the wake of the One Love armband row
• A Club World Cup for women’s football
• Annual youth World Cups to give more young players tournament experience
• Demanding minimum 72-hour rest periods between games “for the health of players”
• Confirming tough new regulations for agents including capping their cut of deals and banning them from representing multiple sides in any negotiations