Your latest World Cup headlines on Saturday, November 19.
Fans face big payment problem
Fans not eating, drinking or using FIFA World Cup sponsored products in Qatar face going hungry and thirsty, due to the absolute blanket ban on other branding in official tournament sites.
In recent days security guards have been removing labels from drinks bottles for media and staff working at the tournament - if they are not World Cup sponsors. But the biggest issue in Doha is the payment method being demanded.
Visa, one of FIFA’s main sponsors in Qatar is the only accepted method of payment at World Cup sites including stadiums and fan zones.
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While Mastercard is a bigger and more widely used payment processing company people cannot pay for food, drink or anything else at the World Cup using it. And transactions are card only. No cash.
If fans are in stadiums or fan zones without a Visa card, they will not be able to purchase anything.
The importance of its sponsors to FIFA has already come under strain this week with the Qatari royal family demanding a total ban of alcohol at stadiums. Budweiser, another sponsor, is the only alcoholic drink available at FIFA sites and will have paid a premium for the privilege.
No.1 jersey up for grabs
Wayne Hennessey believes the goalkeeper's jersey if firmly up for grabs for Wales' World Cup opener against the United States of America.
Hennessey produced a sublime display as the Red Dragons defeated Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff to book their place at the Qatar tournament, although he has been restricted to just two Carabao Cup appearances at club level this season with Nottingham Forest.
Danny Ward - who featured in all four of his country's Euro 2020 matches last year - has been in fine form for Leicester City of late following a tough start to the 2022/23 season.
Indeed, the 29-year-old conceded in 22 times across his first seven Premier League appearances of the campaign, failing to shutout the opposition in any of those matches. However, he has kept clean sheets in six of his last eight games for the Foxes while Adam Davies has played just three times for Sheffield United.
And Wales' most capped goalkeeper Hennessey is under no illusions that there is a three-way fight to start in goal against the USA.
“It’s up for grabs," said Hennessey of the number one jersey. "The two guys next to me here [Ward and Davies] are training really well and looking sharp, so it’s a big decision.
"I haven’t been playing much at the moment. I had the one cup game last Wednesday."
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Allen 'will be ready' when opportunity arises
Joe Ledley is backing Joe Allen to make an impact for Wales at the World Cup.
The central midfielder has been out of action for two months owing to a hamstring injury meaning Rob Page is sweating on the fitness of Allen prior to his side's World Cup opener against the United States of America.
Ledley himself faced a race against time to be fit for Euro 2016 after breaking his leg just five weeks before the tournament. However, he made a remarkable recovery and played a prominent role as Chris Coleman's men reached the semi-finals in France.
And Ledley says Allen will be more than ready to deliver the goods in Qatar once the FAW's medical staff deem him fit to feature.
“Back in 2016 they took me out when I was a doubt, but I had more preparation than Joe has had,” said Ledley.
“The season had finished, so I had a little over a month to get ready. I worked so hard, I was in the best condition I ever was as a player.
“Joey is in a similar situation at the moment, unfortunately. But I’m sure when he gets his opportunity he will be ready, although we will have to leave it to the medical staff to decide whether he is okay.
“It was difficult to try and hold myself back, just as I was getting back to full fitness. Training with a fractured bone was quite difficult, the last thing you wanted to do was get into a tackle and someone fall on it.
“Joe’s injury is a muscle injury, so it is different. You don’t want to be overstretching in training, but once that whistle goes in a game situation, it just all floats to the back of your mind.”
Watch live coverage of USA v Wales from 6.00pm on S4C, with Osian Roberts, Gwennan Harries and Owain Tudur Jones as part of the team. S4C will show every Wales match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lewandowski's missile terror
Robert Lewandowski admits Poland's squad were left devastated following the missile strike on his home country.
The Barcelona forward was with his international team-mates Warsaw when the missile struck Przewodow - killing two people in the process.
And the 34-yaer-old admits the incident proved to be a huge distraction for the team's World Cup preparations.
“It was not an easy moment, everyone was waiting for explanations, for some information,” he told AFP. “Unfortunately it hit people who died. This is definitely a very difficult situation.
“After it got clearer what happened, we were a little bit calmer … and at the same time we had to refocus on what we are doing,” said the 34-year-old, one of the most feared strikers in the world.
“I hope it is a one-time occurrence … and that it won’t happen again.”
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