Sports

Injury stops Chelsea defender, Reece James, from Qatar World Cup

England defender, Reece James, will miss the 2022 Qatar World Cup after he failed to recover from the knee injury he picked up in Chelsea’s match against AC Milan in October.

James flew to Dubai to undergo an intensive rehabilitation programme in an attempt to be fit for Qatar and was even doing some tentative running at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground in recent days.

However, the Chelsea right-back, in a statement shared on his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday, said: “Devastated. The minute I injured my knee, I knew the turnaround to make the World Cup would be tight, but I always felt it was possible.

READ ALSO: Son: I won’t miss Qatar World Cup

“I’ve worked harder than I ever thought I could to give myself the best chance of going and truly believed I could help the team. I appreciate there was risk on both sides but it was one I was willing to take.

“Good luck to the boys. I’ll be back soon. Stay safe and sending love,” Reece James stated.

It was learnt that England coach, Gareth Southgate on Tuesday, told James that he cannot risk including him in his 26-man squad that will be announced on Thursday.

There are injury concerns to another key England right-back, Kyle Walker, and to midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Fire razes 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House in Lagos

A Christmas Eve fire has engulfed the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos…

6 hours ago

2027: Tinubu inaugurates c’tee on conflict resolution, mobilisation for APC

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a Committee on Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilisation to…

6 hours ago

Shaibu flags off phase 2 of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks, reaffirms ‘Soldier-First’ policy

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has launched the construction of Phase 2…

7 hours ago

Aliyu urges Christians to pray for end to insecurity

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has called on Christians in the state to use the…

7 hours ago

Video: Explosion hits Mosque in Maiduguri market

An explosive device went off on Tuesday inside a mosque at Gamborun Market in Maiduguri,…

8 hours ago

2 Kano lawmakers die in one day

Tragedy struck the Kano State House of Assembly on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, when two…

9 hours ago

This website uses cookies.