WORLD CUP
Germany arrive in Russia while Belgium downplay Hazard scare
Moscow — Reigning champions Germany arrived in Russia on Tuesday to join the World Cup party as Belgium downplayed an injury scare over Eden Hazard in their final warm-up match. Gareth Southgate’s youthful England team were also due to touch down as anticipation mounts ahead of Thursday’s opening fixture in Moscow between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia. But before the action on the pitch gets under way, Fifa members have the weighty matter of choosing whether to award the 2026 World Cup to North America or Morocco. Germany, who beat Argentina in the final in Brazil four years ago, are aiming to join Brazil as five-times winners of the trophy but there are questions over their form coming into the tournament.
Joachim Loew’s side went five games without a win before labouring to a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in their final warm-up. First-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has hardly played since September. But the Germans have made at least the semifinals in each of the past ...
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