It’s a week since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar began and already there has been some drama. England face the old enemy Wales in their final group stage match with it still wide open.
Gareth Southgate’s side stand the best chance of progression after a convincing win over Iran and then a goalless draw with the United States. They play Rob Page’s men on Tuesday evening with the possibility of sending the Welsh home after their late defeat to Iran.
It’s a fortnight until the Championship resumes when Bristol City travel to Yorkshire to face Rotherham United in an early kick-off. Plans are already in place for a mini pre-season to prepare for the resumption of league action with a behind-closed-doors match against a Premier League side to follow.
Fans aren’t looking too far ahead to the Championship yet though and there is some representation from City in Qatar. Antoine Semenyo is City’s only current representative after being called up by Ghana.
Semenyo declared for the Black Starts earlier this year and has gone on to force his way into Otto Addo’s side. He came off the bench as Ghana fell to a narrow defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal last Thursday.
The 22-year-old, reportedly wanted by Rangers, as well as Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, is doing the Robins proud and when he came on, there was joy at the mere mention of City at a major international tournament.
When it comes to the World Cup, there has been some representation over the years from City. Several players have made the cut when they’ve been contracted to City whilst others, they’ve either played in the competition and then joined or used the Robins as a platform. Here are all the current and former Bristol City players to have played at the World Cup.
1. England: Norman Hunter
Norman Hunter won the World Cup in 1966 with England and also played for the Three Lions in 1970. He would become a Bristol City player in 1976 and remain there for three years. Photo: Ian Nicholson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
2. England: Terry Cooper
Terry Cooper is best known for his time at Leeds United and he played a part in the World Cup with England in 1970. In 1978, he joined City from Middlesbrough and later went on to play and manage Bristol Rovers. Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
3. Scotland: Joe Jordan
There was a time Scotland regularly qualified for World Cups and in 1974, 1978 and 1982, Joe Jordan was there with them. Jordan wasn’t at Bristol City when he played at the World Cup with Scotland and instead wound his career down with the Robins before starting his management career with them. Photo: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
4. Poland: Dariusz Dziekanowski
Joined Bristol City in the 1992/13 season. Played in the World Cup for Poland in 1986. Poland lost to Brazil in the Round of 16. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images