FIFA World Cup: Neymar Jr. late for Brazil training and Sergio Ramos dropped from the Spain squad

There were issues in their flight from Paris to Turin, where Brazil was stopping for a five-day camp before entering Doha. The aircraft was changed as a consequence of mechanical problems.

Neymar and Marquinhos showed up at the end of Brazil's first practice session in the afternoon. Coach Tite engaged 14 out of the 26-member squad who missed their club matches over the weekend.

Brazil plans to spend the first two days in Turin monitoring the players' physical condition and managing their workload. Their first full practice on the field will be held on Wednesday.

Brazil will begin its World Cup Group G campaign against Serbia on November 24 before competing against Switzerland and Cameroon.

Sergio Ramos was left out of Spain's squad

Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos was not named in the World Cup as Spain coach Luis Enrique left him out of the squad. Barcelona forward Ansu Fati, on the other hand, cut. 

Ramos' last appearance was recorded in March 2021, but he was in good form in PSG this season. He played 12 matches in Ligue 1 and started all six of their Champions League games.

20-year-old Fati was off the field from October 2020 due to a knee injury followed by hamstring and thigh muscle problems. "I won't assess the players who aren't on the list," Luis Enrique stated at a conference.

36-year-old Ramos 36 has played 180 matches for his country after his debut in March 2005 and scored 23 goals. He was a vital member of the team that won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.

The center-back wasn't selected for Spain's Euro 2020 squad after an injury-laden 2020-21. The same year, he switched from Real Madrid to PSG on a free transfer. 

When asked about his managerial capacity, Luis Enrique playfully called himself the best national team manager, "How am I going to have doubts?" he said. "There's no better national team manager than me in the history of world football."

Erling Haaland's plans for Qatar

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland revealed his desire to play in the Qatar World Cup. Norway's failure to qualify means that the 22-year-old will use the break to recharge for the remainder of the Premier League season.

Haaland has become one of Europe's top strikers after his move to City from Borussia Dortmund, having netted 18 goals in 13 league matches and five goals in four Champions League games.

However, Norway came third in Group G of the European World Cup behind the Netherlands and Turkey. He currently has 21 international goals under his belt. 

"I wished I played in the World Cup of course, but that's the reality now (that) I don't do (that), but I will relax my body and my mind a lot and then I will train," Haaland shared.

"What will I train on? Nothing special, it's been going quite well in my first months at City, so I don't need to make so many changes, to be honest.

Norway qualified for the World Cup back in 1998. He revealed that he wishes to win the World Cup or Euros with the national team someday. As of now, he picked Brazil, Argentina, France, and England as the favorites for the event set to begin on November 20.