England & Wales start their World Cup campaigns today
Both home nations are in action in Qatar
Last updated 21st Nov 2022
England and Wales fans will watch in Qatar and on television as both nations begin their bids for World Cup 2022 glory.
Millions of supporters are expected to tune in on TV and thousands will be in Qatar as England open their group B campaign against Iran on Monday afternoon before Wales make their first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1958 against the US.
Both teams will be hoping to get off to a winning start and pick up points in their second games later in the week before facing each other next week for their final group stage fixture.
A controversial World Cup
Controversy has surrounded the build-up to the tournament, with the Gulf state’s record on human rights and treatment of migrant workers under scrutiny.
Many LGBT+ supporters have opted not to travel to the gulf state where homosexuality is still illegal.
Rainbow armbands banned
England and Wales will not wear an anti-discrimination armband in their World Cup matches on Monday after FIFA threatened them with sporting sanctions.
A joint statement from seven European nations who had signed up to the ‘One Love’ campaign – which included England and Wales – confirmed they had asked for the armbands to no longer be worn.
“FIFA has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play,” the statement began.
“As national federations, we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions, including bookings, so we have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armbands in FIFA World Cup games.”
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