Plus some revealing information on how premier league fixtures fixtures will favour England. Report - England’s opening group game, against Iran, will come on Monday, November 21 – just eight days after the final pre-tournament Premier League matches. The FA has asked the Premier League to avoid pitting any Big Six clubs against one another on those early November dates to limit the intensity of fixtures immediately before the World Cup begins. That request is expected to be granted. The EFL has its own issues related to Qatar 2022. The Championship season will also be paused from November 13 but only until December 9, a period that covers the group stages and last-16 ties. Clubs could still have players involved in the World Cup by the time action resumes on December 10 (the day of the second two World Cup quarter-finals) but postponements could be possible if three or more are kept away |  |