BRAZIL DELIGHTED TO GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER

ENGLAND have their dartboard, video game consoles and basketball hoops for recreation but Brazil are passing their free time with their Pagode, a samba band. It was a famous part of the World Cup in 2002, when they last won the trophy, and the Brazilian media turned up in Qatar keen to know who was involved this time round. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo told them he’s on the banjo, Raphinha is on tambourine and Dani Alves is on the tom-toms. Richarlison, affectionately known as Pombo (pigeon), just ‘gets in the way’, he added.

THE mood inside the W Hotel, where Budweiser have made their base in the swish West Bay area of Doha, was not as gloomy as might have been anticipated on the morning after it became clear they would not be allowed to sell their beer to fans inside World Cup stadiums.

This may have had something to do with the fact the company’s top brass were still in the air on the long-haul flight from the USA and yet to arrive in Qatar.

NO Italy at the World Cup, of course, which is always a shame for the media (violins, please) because they never fail to serve up fine coffee and pasta at Italian team HQ. Italy remain firmly in control of FIFA’s refereeing operation, however, with Pierluigi Collina serving as chairman of the officials committee and Daniele Orsato confirmed as the man to run tomorrow’s opener between Qatar and Ecuador. At least they have been wise enough to leave English referees out of the VAR booth.

THERE was a supporting role for England during Collina’s pre-tournament presentation in Doha, with Harry Maguire’s opener against Albania during the qualifying campaign cited as a good example of a goal that won’t be allowed under the interpretation of offside at the World Cup. To refresh memories, Kalvin Phillips blocked the run of an Albanian defender at a setpiece to give Maguire the freedom to head the first goal in a 5-0 Wembley win.