England right back Reece James confirmed on Wednesday he will not be a part of the England team at the World Cup due to a knee injury, further depleting manager Gareth Southgate’s options in defence. James said he was “devastated” to miss the cut from Southgate’s 26-man squad.

ROAD TO QATAR

No warning Berlin: The situation for the LGBT people in Qatar is difficult, but Germany currently does not have a travel warning in place for the country, said a foreign ministry spokesperson in Berlin on Wednesday.

Lo Celso blow Buenos Aires: Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso has been ruled out of the World Cup with a hamstring injury, Argentine media reported on Tuesday.

90,000 & counting Doha: Fans have booked accommodation in more than 90,000 rooms, tents, apartments, villas and portacabins on each of the peak days of the World Cup, organisers said on Wednesday, adding that at least 25,000 rooms are still available.