 My producer Beatrice is molest he means studio to be on standby and be vigilant always and I'm trying to be keen. Of course we want to talk about what's happening as far as international football is concerned. It's countdown to FIFA World Cup coming up next in few days time. Of course starting this particular month of November until December and it's getting televised live on our mother channel KBC channel. I'm still here with Ken Andrews to get into the integrities of what we expect as far as FIFA World Cup is concerned. And the most coveted football global competition said to take place bringing together 32 teams said to take part of course defending champions France still in contention to challenge for the title they bagged last time when it happened in Russia 2018. Ken of course let's get into it the fever is the hype you know up to the billing. I think this is a very unique one because you know it's the World Cup is a couple of weeks away but people seem to be more hyped about the Premier League and the leagues and the Champions League because you know they are so close this time that you know the moment the Premier League stops playing or stops showing you jump into the World Cup. So you know obviously there is hype for the World Cup because you know the teams that are there. The great feeling amongst the funds is that this will be the World Cup the last World Cup for many many great players you know. Yes. Messi, Ronaldo, Luis Suarez you know people see it as their last chance at glory so you know who will take it out of you know the ones who are coming to the end of their career. And of course let's talk about the favourites you know pandits have been tipping teams to win this World Cup you know with some of them rooting for France Brazil saying Nima and Vinicius are in top home and their partnership upfront would do magic for five time World Cup champions. Which team are you rooting for? I'd say for me my favourites are Brazil you know if you just look at the squad that they have and how they play and you know history you know history also backs them because they are the greatest country in terms of the World Cup. But if you look at them this year and how they've been playing even in their qualifiers I think Brazil has been has sort of blend you know no matter who plays because sometimes you see a lot of changes in the midfield and you know at a time where Fred was not a favourited man united he worked into the Brazila line up and you know he's produced results so you look at their team from back to front the goal keeping department defense you know Tiago Silva is 37 but still going strong Makinius you look and up to front where you find Nima, Vinicius, Gavil Jesus, Famino and the form that those guys have been hitting for their clubs this even Martinelli might be an option you know you just have to say that Brazil are really really good favourites for this World Cup. Most of the high profile players even have not guaranteed of you know a first in place of you know Brazil national team or probably being called by the head coach because in the midfield I see the likes of Kasemiro Fred and you know Fabinho who has been an integral factor as far as Liverpool is concerned so it might be challenging for you know the head coach to get to you know select and pick who are the most suitable players because even if you look at the form of other players who might not get into that midfield at the moment you look at someone like Bruno Guimarães you know he's been really really great and even look at Spaketa for western they've been playing great football but will they break into the midfield or the attacking midfieldery of the pitch you know it's really hard to see and also you look at their wingers right now you know who will get the call will it be Martinelli or there's also Anthony you know there are a lot of players that Brazil can call who are on form at the moment but you know that's never the case because it's a limited squad that has to go but whichever the number I feel like Brazil have the best chance of winning the World Cup. Ken personal I will not lie I will be straight and you know next I'm rooting for three Lions England led by Garrett Southgate the team has been you know dismally performing at the global stage during qualifying they show track record they show they can they got what it takes to perform at you know the elite global competition despite the fact that in Russia think they got eliminated by Croatia at the semi-final stage they were looking forward and showing promise to get to see what they are you know predecessors did in 1966 that was the last and first time England lifted FIFA World Cup but this time round you know it's been Confucian Galov even regarding squad selection because Garrett Southgate seems undecided and is not sure who to call who to left behind but at least Harry Maguire is guaranteed to start at the back line but now alongside who. I think if you look at it from an England perspective Maguire stones walker you know I think that has worked for Southgate at times. So starting in back three. Yeah back three but you know there's a big doubt on Kyle Walker who's not yet even come back to the Man City still under the doubt area but Maguire if fit I think he's been a player who has served. For the national team he's doing very well unlike at club level. Yeah for Garrett Southgate even if you look at the biggest games that he's had that's the World Cup semi-final in 2018 and also last year when they had the Euro finals you know Maguire was very important for them throughout the tournament and throughout even in qualifying you know he's a very key player for them he's even captured him at some time. You know I think the big question is moving forward for Garrett Southgate because he receives a lot of questions that if he's playing the back three why does he always have Rice and Calvin Phillips sitting ahead of the back three and it's already too defensive you know. That's the criticism he's been receiving and also moving forward you know at the wing especially now and you know Rahim Staling has been blowing hot and cold you know you don't know what he's going to give but he's been playing really well for Garrett Southgate. And also you know you look at things right now you know Marcus Rashford has been in a great form for Man United so and he has he was called to the 2018 World Cup and he also went to the Euro so will he receive a call up and with Bukayo Saka falling out of the game last weekend you know. It's a really big question on him he's a doubt so we shall wait and see but I feel like he's the coach with the most pressure. And plenty of you know alternatives to select from because as we speak James Madison is there. Jack Grealish is also there. Phil Forden of course he's been in top form and is guaranteed of selection to start but now the worrying factor is that both Rich James and Ben Chilwell are out injured. So would they stand test of time to be fit before selection and are they pivotal to England's case to perform well at the World Cup. I think for the case of Rich James of Ben Chilwell I don't think he's that pivotal because you know look sure if fit his Garrett Southgate is number one always and we are seeing how he's playing at Man United. He's fought the battle against Malasha and he's won and convinced everyone that he's the best fullback at the club because you see how he's playing you know it's really amazing. So if look sure it's fit I think Garrett Southgate will be okay and also for the other side I think if they were playing a backfond and walk ahead to be a right back I think that's when they would have missed a right back but you know you still look at Karen Tripe on the other side you know is a great option and also there's also the if you feel like it's a back three and it's well protected at the back you can also have Alexander Arnold there who's not that great defensively. He has not been favourite for Garrett Southgate though. Yeah but you know he gives a different kind of dynamic. His passing is totally one class and his crosses are usually very accurate and also set pieces so you know he might be an option but Rich James will be a bigger miss than Ben Chilwell I feel. Let's talk about defending champions France despite the fact that they will be missing the services of you know world class Paul Pogba who moved from United to Juventus and he has not much of football because of Inchari and you know Kolo Kante is also a doubt for France at the World Cup. Yeah Kante is out of the World Cup in Pogba I think that they'll have to give a new midfielder chance. You look at the one that they had in 2018 Pogba Matuidi and Kante you know it was a really really industrious midfield who'd run for everything and they'd always boss every game. But right now you know it's also opened a window for the young talent to state their claim. Kamavinga. Yeah Eduardo Kamavinga and Aurelian Chawmen you know those two have been great for Real Madrid. They are playing around great players with Cruz and Modric but even looking at Chawmeni aside from the first game here this season he's been a great replacement for Kasemiro because of how he's been playing. Kamavinga I don't think he's there yet. I don't think he's ready to be that Pogba of a team and really carry the team going forward but he can get a chance to be on the plane due to injuries to the two main midfielders for France. The considering World Cup is an elite global football competition that needs vast experience. Do you think they too despite the fact that they have done very well their partnership with Real Madrid has been solid. Would they rise to the occasion? You know that's the hard question because I think it's a challenge. The World Cup front looks very well. Anton Grisman has not been in good form at club football level but you know Karim Benzema having won Ballandoor having won Banzi exceptional well at Real Madrid. Alongside Olivia Girou. So which means the attacking department is well sorted. The back line? The back line I think Rafael Varan was called back from Man United. He went back to France to start his rehabilitation and maybe he's still in doubt but he maybe has started his training for the World Cup because he's not in UK with United and France. Jules Kaunde is here Frenchman. Ya ya but you know you look at him and how he's been playing at Barcelona you know he's not there yet. Not sure. Ya not sure but I feel like upame Kano can get his chance. He's been doing great with Bayern Munich. He's a great ball playing midfielder. Alongside Varan great experience and also Benjamin Pava and Lucas Hernandez. Yes and he did very well at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. And the great thing about Pava and Lucas Hernandez is they can also shift in as centre backs other than just being right back and left back. So I feel like defensively they'll have a greater team to carry them forward. Even the goalkeeper you know they've had a lot of keepers playing great football but their biggest doubt route will be the similar goalkeeper Mike Meinan who's out injured is still in doubt but you know that will not be a worry to them. People are talking about all sorts of favourites mentioning you know France talking about Brazil but you know forgetting to mention about 2014 FIFA World Cup champions in German. Are they you know a worrying factor during this edition? I don't think they are. I honestly don't think they are that great because you look at the number of high profile German players out there in the world right now. You know they are not the same as the 2014 squad. When we had Samikedira, Mesut Ozil, the length of par Matasaka. Yeah and you see the only guy remaining from that is Tony Cruz and one person you can say who has that top-top quality to still run the midfield. But you look at them upfront. Gnabri has been really poor for Bayern this season. Tim Ovan has gone out injured on Wednesday, Champions League. Kai Havers is not flying that well for Chelsea. They are really really understacked up front and you looked at who. Tim Ovan has been a favourite striker. He's been starting games but he went off injured in Leipzig's game on Wednesday. So I think upfront they are not that well but you look at their defense and their midfield they can make something of it. Because most of the heavyweights for France retired from active football, Filiplam. I think it was a quality squad back then. Mario Godse, Mario Gomez, upfront Lukas Podolski playing good quality football for Germany at the global stage. But let's talk about the minos and chances of those who are being written off to call an upset. Canada has qualified for the first time and Qatar are also playing back at home. Would the host dad play to the advantage? No. If you just look at it, the quality that is there. I think Qatar in their first game, I don't know what they face but I feel like their group is a really tough one. I know moving forward they'll want to make something of being the host but I don't think that will work. Even if they make it past the group stage and into the round of 16, you meet the likes of Uruguay there. Hard to play Argentina, Portugal, Spain. The guys will make it out of the group stage. You are expected to make it out. I think it will be very hard for them and also if you look at minos. I think Canada have had a really great qualification. They've been playing really well. People are used to North America, United States being everything. But they have staged United States, they played well. They also have staged Mexico, who people say are better than the US. They managed to get good results out of both games, home and away against them. And I think you look at people like Alfonso Davis in the squad. You have to expect at least something. I don't think they'll go to win it. Obviously the quality difference moves as the game progresses. Difference in quality increases. I don't think they'll go to win it but it's great because they are guaranteed to be in the next 12 as hosts. So this might be a good advertisement of the game for their home fans. And of course talking about minos. Of course we're going to get patriotic and root for our African compatriots by the five countries that he said to represent the continent. Of course in Senegalu at the Africa Cup of Nation champions and you know Sadio Man has been in a blistering form and he has shown the whole world that he got what he takes. He was imagined as a runner-up during Balondo which was won by Karim Benzim. Of course Egypt is also... No, no, no. Egypt is Morocco alongside Ghana and Cameroon and Tunisia. So two representatives from North Africa, Tunisia and Morocco three from West Africa, Senegal, Ghana and Cameroon. Are they also getting classified under minos or they can do what they have done before probably surpass what they have done before. You remember in two or two World Cup when Senegal with the likes of Glove, Kost magic and pulled great surprises beating France and getting to the quarter final. How is that possible this time round? I think this time round is Africa's best chance of moving out of the quarter finals or having more African teams move from the group stage into the quarters or even one into the service because you look at the squads that are there at display. Number one, you look at Senegal. The quality they have upfront. From even defence, the goalkeeper plays for the top six club in UK. The midfielders, Chiku Kuyate, they play in the Premier League and upfront, Sadio Mani. Someone who plays the best club in the Champions League at the moment, you look at Bayern Munich. But then you look at Ghana and what they've done with bringing foreign players into the team because you see people like Tariq Lampti, Inyaki Williams, they've switched from their countries in UK and they've sort of even had some... At least to be guaranteed of national team football. Yeah, they all want to go to the World Cup and that's the local or the players who played for Ghana for many years may feel a bit down of this but it's good for them because it's quality coming this way. Wifet Za even did the same. When he got assured that at the England level he's not guaranteed of playing in Switzerland to either coast. Yeah, he went to either coast. It's not going that well for him but for Ghana it's a different case because you look at the players especially upfront, someone like Inyaki Williams who's never got his chance in Spain but he holds the record for, I don't know, 250 games in a row without injury. A really, really crucial player he might be for them. Tariq Lampti, you saw him against Chelsea last weekend. Amazing, amazing player. I think Ghana can have a chance but our best chances might be the guys from the north because technically you look at Morocco and Tunisia they are really, really great teams. And you were talking about, you know, everywhere earlier on and favourites to lift the title we omitted Argentina. Lionel Messi playing his last World Cup and so is Cristiano Ronaldo for Pojo Gold. I think they are 36 and 7 respectively. Can they live on a high? It's very, it's harder for Pojo Gold and Argentina because Argentina have a really, really great squad also but Pojo Gold also have a great squad but you look at how Argentina played in the finalism against Italy they blew them apart even if Italy tried to have their big players there. Argentina completely blew them apart even if you look at their Copa America journey and their qualifiers journey, you know, it will still be a thing for Argentina. I feel like after Brazil Argentina might be the next best team, you know but Portugal, you know, what they have that other teams do not have is players that can fight, players that can be, you know, dogged, you know, people like Bruno who can run all over the pitch. Bernardo. Yeah, Bernardo, they can get everything in their midfielders, you look at someone like William Cavallo, you know, there are players who can really, really try to get a result for the team. Jawa Poteño still plays for them. Moteño, yes. People like that, you know, people who have been there they've played at more tournaments and they're really, really the same squad that always, you know, travels, you know. And, you know, their head coach has been a main stay, has been with them for quite a while. So, you understand the dynamics and intricacies of national teams. And he's won a couple of trophies with them. So, you know, that's a really big plus. It's also might be his last tournament with Portugal. It's done a lot. But, you know, people, their eyes will always be even if Brazil are the favourites, people will always look at Cristiano and they don't get this, you know. If one of them gets this, you know, they are guaranteed best player of all time. So, you know, it is down to those two teams if they can make something of their tournament. You know, during previous World Cups, Argentina had a huge and massive depth in terms of, you know, the squad of players they possessed. You remember, they are attacking department led by, you know, besides, of course, Lionel Messi, they had Iguain, Sergio Kuna, Guero, plenty of, you know, players who can be relied upon. But this time around, besides Lionel Messi, who else you remember, Angel Di Maria, who else, because I'm sure Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for Portugal and Argentina, respectively, they will get to be man-marked. So, they are got to be a player besides the two who, you know, can maximise and make values of the available chances and scope. Is there anyone for Argentina? I think Argentina will really, really miss Di Bala up front. I think their best department, if you look at it right now, has to be defence centre-backs especially because you look at Otamendu with Ben Fika, you look at Romero. He's 34, 35. Yeah, yeah, he's old but, you know, you look at their performances in the Champions League, you're like this guy is not, he has 20-something. Romero, when he plays for Tottenham, they look better defensively and there's also Martinez, Lisandro, who's, you know, if lies into every tackle and shows a lot of passion. That's their best department. But up front, I think the honest will always be on Lionel Messi, regardless of who's playing right now because, you know, I feel like if Aguero was there, it would have been easier but right now, everything has to be on Messi but, you know, the couple of scores that were being called, you know, before the Premier League resumed, Alejandro Garnacho was being involved and, you know, he's now being involved a little bit more in Man United so, you know, he might get his chance there because he's a really, really top player. They rate him highly in Argentina, they really like him. So even with this goal in the Europa League, I think his chances are getting bigger and bigger of him getting a game time at the World Cup. And I saw the 11 players missing in action. The best of 11 players who are out injured and in case they start, they can even win the FIFA World Cup. In terms of, you know, stand out names that will be missing in action either injured or probably there, respective countries didn't qualify for FIFA World Cup. Of course, besides Haaland, who is doing very well for Manchester City, I don't know who will be, you know, the key figures very instrumental to their clubs and they will be missing in action for FIFA World Cup in Qatar. I think it will be great for Liverpool to have Salah not go to the World Cup. I think that's a really, really important thing for them and also for Chelsea, you know, this time we'll have to train the whole month, you know. To convert penalties. And also now we have to look at Spain PK is retired, you know. Tiago will make it, you know, injured. If he keeps playing, will he get injured again? And also, you know, Spain released their squad and the manager decided to leave the hair out. So, you know, you just have to wait and see because I feel like if the hair could have gone to this World Cup, you know, he could have made it his last and made something of it, but it's it's unfortunate because it does not have the quality that Enrique desires because he wants a ball playing, goalkeeper was great in the air, he's really amazing at making saves and the other qualities are not his best. So, you know, he'll miss out, but, you know, if he's in that lineup of the best players to miss the World Cup, you know, it's a team that can win if you have the hair salad. Let's play FIFA World Cup is meant for a specific type of players because previously we've missed, you know, watching quality players, Robert Lewandowski while he was at Bayern Munich his respective team Poland making through. So, I think sometimes it's an opportunity for us to get to watch, you know, certain players showcase their prowess, but let me try to show you this injured World Cup best 11, Mark Magnan, the one you mentioned about for France and featuring Fosimiland and of course in the defense, we have Rava Ilvarane who is doubtful to get full recovery before FIFA World Cup starts, then Ronald Araujo of Uruguay, then of course we have Rhys James on the right back then Chilwell on the left back the midfield we have Kolokante and Paul Pogba alongside Jujino Wilnanda he's also injured. He was injured two months ago. That's why he's not been much seen for is he still at PSG? Yes, Roma he moved to East Roma then striking Diego Jota, Timovana Son also is injured I think he hurt his face in the last game but he's a doubtful but I don't think South Korea would want Son to miss the World Cup because of a facial injury I think they'll still want him there because he's a very very important player and also the front someone like Jota will be a big miss for Portugal, but you know Portugal's big guy will always be Ronaldo and Joe Felix has not been at the top the best shape in terms of club football his club is really struggling so you look at the players you've mentioned they are really really important players Wijnaldum this would have been like in 2014 he had his first chance but 2018 Netherlands missed out now they are back but even if you look at their squad without Wijnaldum they still can make something of it because they have great technical midfielders Martin Derun and Frankie Deyong they can always replace him the biggest misses will obviously be because they are the ones who are missing two players in one department I feel like that would be the biggest miss especially for France because Pogba and Kanti have been great servants for DDA Desha so they'll totally feel their absence so obviously most football fans looking forward to the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar are closely keeping tabs and monitoring their respective footballers at club level are set to replicate their glittering form but you know World Cup has got its dynamics you got it to play in a tournament that you probably will fail to showcase what you've been doing at the club level but in terms of you know those stand out names who have been doing very well in various elite club football competitions who are these that are likely to continue with the same magic at the international football you have to say Naima of course you've been seeing them with PSG more showboating of course ya ya you know obviously Last World Cup it was a really big issue especially when they played in Mexico and every touch it gets it rolls on the ground also it have a lot of skills it's sort of reeling the defenders to kick him it's also a tactic to win matches but no one likes to see that we know he's a great player even if he does all the showboating he doesn't have to do that you look at Naima, Messi and Bap they've been very important for PSG you look at Lewandowski for Barcelona now he's a very very important player for Poland he's never had that sort of Poland career that he wanted but it will be very important Karim Benzema obviously is there Alfonso Davis for Canada really really important one ya Harim Aguaya for England it will be important also about the novices probably those said to take part for the first time making their debut at FIFA World Cup and they can cause magic because it's also a market opportunity for players to sell themselves to world class football clubs because you remember this guy Andrew Shevchenko in 2005 World Cup while playing for Ukraine that is the moment that got him to be noticed by Liverpool kumbe this boy can play high profile football and also I think for the guys who will be taking part in the first World Cup I think the youngsters for England are really important because you look at someone like Jude Bellingham he's been having a great season at Dortmund but look at the whole how many Dortmund games are watching you can see the stats on social media but have you watched him play so I think it will be really important for him and Phil Foden because it's also his first to look at how good these players are away from great teams because Foden it's easy to play for Man City you know with all the quality around you but away from Man City because he's not been doing that great for England I think this stage will be different for him to see what he can really really give wow of course that's a preview of what is expected to happen in Qatar the tournament starting in a few days from now as he speak and of course getting televised by a mother channel KBC channel run a total of 28 games will be broadcast live and of course you got to enjoy the proceedings of the game at the comfort of your seating room and 64 matches in total getting aired on our radio stations across a platform so of course keep talking to us and join the conversation as well last at touchline what was Sike Maxwell at Ken Andrew let's see which team are you rooting for as far as FIFA World Cup is concerned I've already declared mine in England which you know disappoints me when it matters most Ken of course you said France or Argentina Brazil the 5 time World Cup champions and at some point getting the Moli 7-1 by Germany you remember let's take a short break we coming back next with the fans on where we give a focus to what is said to happen as far as European club football matches and tomorrow Chelsea ask don't go and stay tuned