Men's National Teams

The Qatar World Cup's 'first fan' arrived 6 months ago and has been 'having a blast' ever since

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's self-styled "first fan" Marcelo Martinez is so keen to see Lionel Messi and teammates at the World Cup that he arrived in Qatar six months early.

The first traveling Argentinian fan — and possibly the first visiting fan full stop — flew into Doha on May 3 with his blue-and-white wig, and has been having a blast ever since.

"Wonderful things have been happening," said the 54-year-old lawyer, who has found plenty of Qataris and expatriates sporting Argentina shirts. "They all love Messi and Argentina here."

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Netherlands World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group A's Netherlands.

Netherlands World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup appearances: 11th

Best finish: Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010)

How they got here: The Oranje finished top of a difficult qualifying group that contained Turkey and Erling Haaland's Norway. 

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Senegal World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group A's Senegal. 

Senegal World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup Appearances: Third 

Best Finish: Quarterfinals (2002) 

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Spain World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here's the Spain World Cup 2022 preview. La Roja will play in Group E against Costa Rica, Germany and Japan.

Spain World Cup Preview 2022

World Cup appearances: 16th

Best finish: Champions (2010)  

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Ecuador World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This is the preview for Group A's Ecuador.

Ecuador World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup Appearances: Fourth 

Best Finish: Round of 16 (2006) 

How They Got Here: Fourth-place in Conmebol 

Coach: Gustavo Alfaro (Argentine) 

The story behind Karim Benzema's broken finger

When you think of Karim Benzema on the pitch, it's hard not to imagine him without the bandage he wears over his right arm. The piece of fabric has become a signature accessory for the Real Madrid striker. However, during the ceremony in which he received a well-deserved Ballon d'Or, people got a good reminder of why he always has to use it. 

Benzema gets his own signature cleats from adidas after Ballon d'Or win

After firing Real Madrid to a Champions League and LaLiga double with 42 goals in 44 games and returning to the France national team with a Nations League title, Karim Benzema beat Sadio Mané and Kevin De Bruyne to the 2022 Ballon d'Or on Monday. To celebrate the occasion, adidas — which has counted Benzema among its stable of athletes for over a decade now — dropped a new signature cleat for Real's captain.

Costa Rican young star could miss the World Cup after positive doping test

Costa Rica midfielder Orlando Galo has tested positive for a prohibited substance following a random test carried out in September, the country's football federation (FCRF) said on Tuesday.

Galo, who has played nine times for Costa Rica and helped them qualify for the World Cup, tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) after his sample was among 15 randomly taken during their friendly tour of South Korea last month.

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Poland World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the Poland World Cup preview, who'll play in Group C against Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

Poland World Cup Preview 2022

World Cup Appearances: 9th

Best Finish: 3rd (1974, 1982)

Team-by-team guide: 2022 Mexico World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the Mexico World Cup preview. El Tri will play in Group C against Argentina, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

Mexico World Cup Preview 2022

World Cup appearances: 17th

Best binish: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)

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