THE WORLD CUP AND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: THE ROSSONERI CALLED UP

From Russia to Qatar: the football world comes to a halt again, after four years, for a new edition of the World Cup. At stake will be the title which, in 2018, was won by France at the Lužniki Final against Croatia. It is in fact the reigning champions who will be on stage in the Middle East with two Rossoneri representatives: Olivier Giroud, already champion in the last edition, and Theo Hernández, making his first appearance at a World Cup. Ballo-Touré, De Ketelaere, Dest and Leão will also make their World Cup debuts, while Simon Kjær will captain his Denmark side, who will play in a clash of the Rossoneri against France on 26 November. Here are all the fixtures for the seven worldwide Rossoneri in the group stage:

Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernández (France, Group D)

• 22 November 2022, 20:00 CET: France v Australia - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
• 26 November 2022, 17:00 CET: France v Denmark - Stadium 974, Doha
• 30 November 2022, 16:00 CET: Tunisia v France - Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan

Charles De Ketelaere (Belgium, Group F)

• 23 November 2022, 20:00 CET: Belgium v Canada - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
• 27 November 2022, 14:00 CET: Belgium v Morocco - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
• 1 December 2022, 16:00 CET: Croatia v Belgium - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
• The Belgian will also play in a warm-up match against Egypt on Friday 18 November in Kuwait City (Kuwait).

Rafael Leão (Portugal, Group H)

• 24 November 2022, 17:00 CET: Portugal v Ghana - Stadium 974, Doha
• 28 November 2022, 20:00 CET: Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
• 2 December 2022, 16:00 CET: South Korea v Portugal - Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
• The Portuguese frontman will also play in a warm-up match against Nigeria on Thursday 17 November in Lisbon.

Simon Kjær (Denmark, Group D)

• 22 November 2022, 14:00 CET: Denmark v Tunisia - Education City, Al Rayyan
• 26 November 2022, 17:00 CET: France v Denmark - Stadium 974, Doha
• 30 November 2022, 16:00 CET: Australia v Denmark - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah

Fodé Ballo-Touré (Senegal, Group A)

• 21 November 2022, 17:00 CET: Senegal v Netherlands - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
• 25 November 2022, 14:00 CET: Qatar v Senegal - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
• 29 November 2022, 16:00 CET: Ecuador v Senegal - Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan

Sergiño Dest (United States, Group B)

• 21 November 2022, 20:00 CET: United States v Wales - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
• 25 November 2022, 20:00 CET: England v United States - Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
• 29 November 2022, 20:00 CET: Iran v United States - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha

Not just the World Cup: over the next two weeks several other Rossoneri, between the First Team and Primavera squads, will be involved in friendlies for their respective senior or Under-19 national sides, thus prolonging the intense programme of the start of the season. This will be the case for five first-team players - Bennacer, Kalulu, Lazetić, Thiaw and Tonali - plus two representatives of Abate's Primavera team, Coubis and Simić. It is worth noting the call-ups of the two Serbian players, who are involved in next summer's U19 European Championship Qualifiers.

Ismaël Bennacer (Algeria)

• 16 November 2022: Algeria v Mali, Bir El Djir - Friendly
• 19 November 2022: Sweden v Algeria, Malmö - Friendly

Sandro Tonali (Italy)

• 16 November 2022: Albania v Italy, Tirana - Friendly
• 20 November 2022: Austria v Italy, Vienna - Friendly

Pierre Kalulu (France Under-21)

• 19 November 2022: France U21 v Norway U21, Caen - Friendly

Malick Thiaw (Germany Under-21)

• 19 November 2022: Italy U21 v Germany U21, Ancona - Friendly

Andrei Coubis (Romania Under-21)

• 17 November 2022: CSA Steaua v Romania U21, Ghencea - Friendly
• 21 November 2022: Campionii FC Argeș v Romania U21, Pitești - Friendly

Marko Lazetić and Jan-Carlo Simić (Serbia Under-19)

• 17 November 2022: North Macedonia U19 v Serbia U19, Skopje - 2023 Euro U19 Qualifiers
• 20 November 2022: Serbia U19 v San Marino U19, Skopje - 2023 Euro U19 Qualifiers
• 23 November 2022: Serbia U19 v Norway U19, Skopje - 2023 Euro U19 Qualifiers

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