Foot Mondial 2022 – The antivax of the England team deprived of the Mondial in Qatar
In a few months, 32 nations will meet in Qatar for the World Cup in a context where the Covid remains present. Qatar has strict rules in place towards the unvaccinated, including players, and this is a problem in England.
From November 21, the world of football will have its eyes turned towards Qatar. The small emirate will host the 22nd world in history, a special competition in many respects. First World Cup played in winter, it will take place in the continuity of the European championships and it will also be marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, which started in 2020 already. These various issues could well complicate the task of qualified countries. Regarding health rules, Qatar is also quite strict, which is not without consequences for certain selections.
The vaccine or the Mondial on TV, Southgate’s ultimatum?
This is particularly the case of England. Several players in Gareth Southgate’s squad are not vaccinated or do not intend to take another dose soon. This poses a problem since Qatar does not let in the unvaccinated so easily. Unvaccinated players will therefore have to isolate themselves five days after their arrival in the emirate. Present in group B, the English will start the competition very early with a match against Iran as the second match of the tournament, on November 21 at 2 p.m. They will therefore play six days after their arrival in the country, which could force these players to withdraw against the Iranians.
Gareth Southgate is threatening to sack unvaccinated players from the World Cup squad
— Sophie Corcoran 🇬🇧 (@sophielouisecc) July 16, 2022
A prospect that does not delight the coach of the Three Lions at all. According to DailyMail, the latter is seriously considering excluding all members of his unvaccinated workforce for the Qatari World Cup. However, nothing is set in stone as FIFA are reportedly working to ease Qatar’s health rules ahead of the tournament. Still, the subject of vaccination is coming back in force in England, within professional teams. Lately, Chelsea and Crystal Palace players have been unable to tour outside Europe for an incomplete vaccination schedule, as was the case for N’Golo Kanté on American soil.
