FIFA World Cup: Senegal star Sadio Mane drops out of World Cup, Iran captain urges his team to ignore protests

Senegal is the best hope for Africa, alongside Cameroon, to lead the promising group of African national teams at the Qatar World Cup. However, the absence of Sadio Mane due to a shin injury while playing for Bayern Munich earlier this month will be a significant setback.

The team doctor of the Senegal national squad, Manuel Afonso, said, "Unfortunately, today's MRI shows us that the improvement is not as favourable as we imagined and unfortunately we have to withdraw Sadio from the World Cup."

The 2022 World Cup squad of Senegal consists of the following:

Forwards: Ismaila Sarr, Bamba Dieng, Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson

Midfielders: Pape Matar Sarr, Pape Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Krepin Diatta, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Moustapha Name, M. Loum Ndiaye and Pathe Ciss

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Abou Cisse, Abdou Diallo, Fode Ballo Toure, Moustapha Name, Formose Mendy, Ismail Jakobs, Youssouf Sabaly and Cheikhou Kouyate

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Seny Diang and Alfred Gomis

Senegal has been placed in Group A alongside Qatar, Netherlands and Ecuador. They will open their campaign against the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium on November 21.

Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh urges squad to shrug off protest talks

The Iranian national team arrived in Qatar with the government back home facing nationwide anti-government protests,

Iranian athletes across several sports have decided not to celebrate victories to show solidarity with the protestors. 

Alireza Jahanbakhsh said, "We are here to play football and that's the main thing everybody is focused on while we're here. We are just four days away from playing the biggest games of our lives."

"You ask about the national anthem and that's something that also has to be decided by the team, which we already talked about."

Iran will open its World Cup campaign against England at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21.

The 2014 champions Germany reached Qatar on November 17, following their 1-0 victory in the preparatory match against Oman. The German national squad stays in the seaside town of Al-Ruwais, while almost other teams have opted to stay in Doha.

Germany suffered through an early exit during the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They will be keen to erase the memories of the disappointing run at the 2018 World Cup this year.