Portugal forward Diogo Jota’s calf injury he sustained in Liverpool’s weekend victory against Manchester City has ruled him out of the World Cup starting in Qatar next month.

Jota, who had only recently returned from an early-season hamstring injury, had to be carried off on a stretcher in stoppage time at Anfield and today Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp confirmed the worst fears. 

Last night saw another clear demonstration of the giant strides that have been made in women’s football in recent years in Portugal.

The female Seleção beat Iceland, 14th in the FIFA rankings, 4-1 after extra time in Paços de Ferreira.

Portugal now face an intercontinental playoff in February to try and make history and qualify for the World Cup for the first time. 

Seven weeks before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar the Seleção have been hit by a triple injury blow.

Winger Pedro Neto is ruled out of the tournament as he faces surgery on damaged ankle ligaments, while defenders Pepe and Nuno Mendes – who would both be guaranteed starters for Portugal if fit – have picked up injuries that will keep them out of action for the foreseeable future. 

Portugal and Spain’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup will incorporate Ukraine in staging the event should FIFA award the tournament to the UEFA-backed candidature, it was announced today.

Although the exact details of Ukraine's participation were not specified, it is thought Ukraine would host all of the matches of one of the groups in the first phase of the tournament.