Doubtfuls for the Qatar World Cup.

When Manchester United’s Rafael Varane fell awkwardly whilst trying to tackle Chelsea’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the match at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, he almost knew that something was wrong.

He lay outstretched on the turf for several minutes, and when he did get slowly to his feet, he was in tears and walked off the pitch with his shirt over his head.

Although it has yet to be confirmed, the 28-year-old feared that his leg injury would keep him out of the French World Cup squad next month.

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He is by no means alone, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota was ruled out last week, and a number of players are doubtful, whilst any time a player goes down injured in a match, they and supporters of their national team hold their breaths.

Considering the World Cup is right around the corner, it’s almost certain that similar things will happen to other teams before the tournament starts. Moved to mid-November because of the fierce Middle Eastern summer heat, it divides domestic seasons into two halves and has caused a compression of the fixture list both for league and European competitions. More games in less time takes an inevitable toll on bodies and minds.

All teams competing at the World Cup are required to submit their final squads by November 13^th, seven days before the first match between Qatar and Ecuador kicks the tournament off. In practice, many national team coaches will announce their provisional squads before then, and, with provisional rosters of up to 5 players allowed, they can afford to take a chance on the fitness of key players before that has to be whittled down to a final 26 (three more than in previous World Cups).

In the event that a member of the final squad catches COVID, they can be replaced before a team’s final game of the tournament.

It is often a gamble that a national team manager has to take. Are they willing to reserve a valuable squad place for somebody who may not be fit in time?

Harry Maguire, who plays with Varane at Manchester United, hasn’t played since last month when he hurt his hamstring in England’s draw with Germany at Wembley in the Nations League.

He was not even a regular in United’s first team this season under Erik ten Hag, and most England fans do not think he is good enough to be part of the squad, even if he is fit for Qatar. But Gareth Southgate is loyal, which some would say hurts the team, and he seems determined to not only take Harry Maguire but also start him in the first game against Iran.

Another player with United connections is Paul Pogba who left Manchester in the summer to rejoin Juventus.

After getting hurt in pre-season and needing surgery, he hasn’t played for the Serie A club yet this season. However, he is close to full fitness again, and Juventus are hoping that he could be available to play for them in the Champions League this week. That would be a boost for a French team that has already lost one key midfielder for the tournament in the shape of N’Golo Kanté.

Manchester City have several players now sweating over their World Cup places. Defender John Stones picked up a similar injury to Maguire’s in the same match against Germany and has not played since.

Pep Guardiola is confident he can return in time. Meanwhile, fellow defender Kyle Walker underwent groin surgery last month, which takes a minimum of six weeks to recover from, but he is hoping to be back in time to make the World Cup squad.

The prospects for midfielder Kalvin Phillips appear bleaker. The summer signing from Leeds United dislocated a shoulder in September and there must be serious doubts over his participation, especially as he had barely played before that, and lacks match fitness.

London clubs also have players in a race to be fit. With Kanté and Reece James already reconciled to watching the World Cup on television, defender Wesley Fofana looks like he will be joining them.

The French international strained his knee playing in the Champions League against AC Milan and doctors have estimated that he will be out for at least a month, meaning his availability for the World Cup is in serious question.

There appears to be better news for Tottenham’s Richarlison, who suffered a calf injury playing against Everton. Even though he hasn’t been at their other games, he has said he plans to be back soon.

It is less good news for another Brazilian, Arthur, on loan this season at Liverpool. A thigh injury means he is also certainly out of contention for their Qatar squad.

Nor are English clubs the only ones to have players in question. Borussia Dortmund skipper Marco Reus is entitled to wonder if he ran out of luck or broke numerous mirrors in a past life. He missed Germany’s World Cup triumph in 2014 with an ankle injury and, after rupturing ligaments in the same ankle, could be set to miss out again.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane is also an unknown. He tore his left thigh muscle in a win against Freiburg, and his club have refused to put a timeframe on his recovery,

Lucas Hernandez, who also plays for Bayern, might not be ready for the French team because he hurt his groyne playing against Barcelona in the Champions League. However, his agent says he will be back to full health by the end of the month.

International team-mate Boubacar Kamara might not be so fortunate. He tore knee ligaments just eight matches after his summer transfer to Aston Villa, and the view from medical specialists is that the prognosis is not good for him.

This list is just a work in progress and can be updated almost daily.

The sad truth for many international managers is that they will not know who is finally available to play for them until November 14^th, the deadline for clubs to release their players to them.