Why are England taking the knee at the World Cup and which countries are joining them?
ENGLAND are taking the knee at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions get their campaign underway against Iran and will be hoping for an opening day victory.
Hosts Qatar fell to defeat against Ecuador as they opened the tournament, and the runners up in Group A will face the winners of Group B.
It’s England’s time to make a statement, and they will be taking the knee ahead of kick-off.
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Why are England taking the knee at the World Cup?
Gareth Southgate‘s side did not take the knee in September’s fixtures last time out, but have decided that they will during the World Cup.
The gesture is symbolic against racism where individuals from the team will kneel on one knee rather than standing.
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It comes from American footballer Colin Kaepernick, who took the knee during the national anthem back in 2016, stating that he would not stand as a statement for anti-racism.
Premier League clubs chose to perform this gesture in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in the U.S. and the national team took the knee prior to kick-off in Euro 2020.
Now, the clubs have decided that rather than taking the knee before every game, they will choose to do so in specific moments.
And now they will take the knee during the World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the opener against Iran, Southgate revealed: “We have discussed taking the knee.
“We feel we should. It’s what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time.
“Of course, we understand in the Premier League that clubs have decided to only do that for certain games, big occasions, we feel this is the biggest.
“We think it is a strong statement to go around the world for young people in particular to see that inclusivity is very important.”
What other teams are taking the knee?
It remains to be seen as to what other nations, if any, will join England in the gesture during the World Cup.