World Cup 2022 news LIVE: England vs Wales build-up as Gareth Southgate hints at starting 11

Joe Allen has defended Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey amid criticism that Wales’ star pair have failed to deliver at the World Cup 2022.

Skipper Bale and Ramsey have led Wales’ so-called ‘Golden Generation’ to dizzy heights over the past decade.

Wales have reached a first World Cup for 64 years on the back of qualification for two European Championships, the first of which saw them reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

But Bale, 33, and Ramsey, 31, have struggled to make an impact at Qatar 2022 and Wales are on the brink of a swift World Cup exit.

“They’re two incredible players, they are and they have been for our country,” Allen said ahead of Tuesday’s final group game against England in Doha. “I don’t think there’s anyone else in the squad who’s reached the heights they’re capable of.

England and Wales fans are gearing up for their World Cup showdown, as it emerged £1 million has been spent on alcohol to cater for Red Wall supporters in Qatar.

The so-called “Battle of Britain” – which will see both home nations go head-to-head as Group B rivals – is set to take place on Tuesday from 7pm UK time.

England landed the first blow off the pitch over the weekend as their supporters triumphed over their Welsh counterparts in the final of a five-a-side football tournament in Doha, despite losing to them in the opening game.

Wales’ World Cup ambitions are hanging by a thread and they must win on Tuesday if they are to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages, while England top the group and need just a point to reach the last 16.

Iran’s win over Wales left members of the travelling Red Wall feeling “sombre”. But fans said the set-back had not stopped them from enjoying their time in Qatar – as the organiser behind a series of match day parties for Wales fans said £1 million had been spent on alcohol.

Phil Foden will “shine” at the World Cup if given the chance to do so, according to England and Manchester City team-mate Kalvin Phillips.

There was widespread clamour for Foden to be introduced off the bench as England were held to a drab 0-0 draw in Friday’s Group B meeting with the United States and manager Gareth Southgate was criticised for not utilising the 22-year-old as his side struggled to create chances at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Victory over the USA would have sent England through into the round of 16 but they could not find a breakthrough, only intensifying the calls for Foden to start Tuesday’s clash against Wales and Phillips believes Foden would grab his opportunity with both hands were he to force his way into Southgate’s XI.

“I think, when he is given the chance, he will shine and he is just waiting for that chance,” he said. “He knows it is going to be difficult, obviously, to get into the team after we’ve played so well so he is just waiting for the right moment and once that comes I think he will kick on and start flying.

“I think Phil can offer a lot of things. Obviously he is an unbelievable talent, unbelievable technically and he works hard.

“I think for me his best role is probably as a number 10 – I think in that role where he can float about, get on the ball and do whatever he wants to do. You see him when he takes it past people, you’ve seen the assists and the goals that he’s got this year, he’s a real threat.”

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar began on 20 November as 32 teams aim to reach the final and become world champions on 18 December.

The tournament is the first to be held in the Arab world and only the second to take place in Asia, after Japan and South Korea joint-hosted the event in 2002. This edition will be the last to feature just 32 teams, with the tournament being expanded from 2026 onwards in order to feature 48 nations.

Reigning champions France are among the favourites, though no team has successfully defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, alongside fellow European sides England, Spain, and Belgium. Brazil and Argentina will also likely feature in the knockout stages, while Senegal could represent Africa’s biggest hopes of winning for the first time.

England meet play-off winners Wales in Group B with USA and Iran. Spain and Germany have been drawn in a tough-looking Group E with Japan and Costa Rica, while Portugal meet Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in a well-balanced Group H.

Check out the full World Cup fixtures and schedule:

Missed any of yesterday’s action from Qatar. Catch up on everything with our day eight round-up including the thoughts of our Chief Sports Writer Miguel Delaney on Spain vs Germany

Joe Allen believes Wales need the “performance of their lives” to beat England and make World Cup progress.

Wales must beat England for the first time in 38 years on Tuesday to be in with a chance of making the knockout stage. Even then, unless England are beaten by a four-goal margin, Wales will need Iran and the United States to draw their final match to make the round of 16 in Qatar.

“I think everyone is hurting because of the situation we find ourselves in and the disappointment of the result (losing 2-0 to Iran) and only having one point after two games,” said Allen, who returned as a substitute in Friday’s defeat after two months out with a hamstring problem.

“That’s the hurt at the moment. It’s a feeling of missed opportunity in the first two games. We’ve had the time needed to digest that disappointment. Our focus now moves onto getting on the training pitch, putting in the work and preparing for the performance of our lives against England.”

Wales suffered a crushing loss to Iran and now look poised to miss out on a place in the last 16 at the World Cup.

All hope is not lost though for Robert Page’s side, who face England in the final game.

Gareth Southgate’s side are poised to advance, despite being held by the USA, and they currently lead Group B on four points.

Wales must therefore leapfrog Iran, on three points, and the USA, third on two points, or face an early trip home.

Here are the permutations for Wales to advance to the last 16 and finish top:

One World Cup match stands between England and the last 16 at Qatar.

A draw with the USA puts Gareth Southgate’s side on four points after two games, with the 6-2 thrashing of Iran also boosting their goal difference.

Wales await in the final group stage match, with England in prime position to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.

Top spot is also valuable, knowing they will avoid the winners of Group A should they hold on, with Iran just a point behind on three points, USA on two and Wales bottom on one.

Here are the permutations for England to advance to the last 16 and also secure top spot:

Gareth Southgate has some selection headaches and is unlikely to name an unchanged starting 11 for the third game running after his team were overrun in midfield by the US during Friday’s 0-0 draw.

Southgate has also admitted he needs to manage the fitness of some of his players, saying: “We’re going to have to look at it over the next couple of days and see where the energy levels are and the best way to approach it.

“The game against the US was always going to be an extreme test of our athleticism because you’re playing a team that is one of the most athletic in the tournament. I thought we were just a little bit low on energy in one or two positions but I’m not unhappy because I knew it was going to be difficult to get at their defence.

“And we cannot roll out Jude [Bellingham] for 90 minutes every game. We’ve got to look after him and Jordan Henderson has been training really well.

“It wasn’t a gamble to play Harry [Kane], either. He’s had a whack on his foot so there is a bit of discomfort when he’s striking the ball but we are not talking about taking any risk with him. But I’ve got to assess how everybody is.

“Then I’ve also got to consider refreshing certain positions because we have got a good squad and these games are taking a lot out of people.”

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the build-up to England and Wales’ decisive World Cup 2022 Group B match on Tuesday evening with places in the knockout stages in Qatar up for grabs for both teams.

England’s path to the last 16 looks the much simpler of the two as they only need to avoid defeat by four or more goals against their British rivals to secure a place in the second round. The Three Lions will have their eyes on topping the group however, which they would achieve with victory over a side they haven’t lost to since 1984, while a draw would likely also be enough providing Iran don’t beat the United States.

Wales’ World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after an opening 1-1 draw with USA was followed by a disheartening 2-0 defeat to Iran, where two late goals following Wayne Hennessey’s red card cost them dearly. To qualify for the last 16 at their first World Cup since 1958, Robert Page’s men - led by the talismanic Gareth Bale - need to beat England and hope for a draw between the US and Iran. Alternatively, an unlikely four-goal victory over their neighbours would also secure a place in the knockouts.

Stick with us for all the latest news and build-up