Joining up with the Arsenal training camp in Dubai, some time spent back home in Florida and the Maldives is a popular destination… where the World Cup stars are on holiday after their exploits in Qatar
- The World Cup is in its final stages with the semi-finals starting on Tuesday
- 28 of the 32 teams at the World Cup have already been eliminated and left Qatar
- Several of the stars of the tournament have been enjoying some time on holiday
- Granit Xhaka was pictured in Dubai, where he joined up with the Arsenal team
- Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski and Thibaut Courtois both visited the Maldives
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
The World Cup may still be yet to conclude with Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco making up the final four in Qatar, but plenty of players from the other 28 nations have been enjoying some time off after their exertions at the tournament.
With the Premier League not returning to action until December 26, other leagues in Europe resume even later – the Bundesliga is the latest – re-starting on January 20.
We have seen plenty of stars from Qatar jetting off around the globe in search of some sun and well-deserved recuperation ahead of returning to their domestic clubs.
In light of that, Sportsmail takes a look at some World Cup stars who have been off on holiday following the tournament.
Arsenal and Switzerland star Granit Xhaka has been enjoying time in Dubai with his family
Arsenal and Switzerland star Granit Xhaka has been spotted in Dubai with his family.
Xhaka’s nation were eliminated at the last-16 stage in embarrassing fashion, after being thrashed 6-1 by a Goncalo Ramos-inspired Portugal.
The midfielder has also joined up with his club team, Arsenal – who are currently competing in the Dubai Super Cup – and Xhaka was spotted in training and at their game with AC Milan on Tuesday.
USA star Christian Pulisic has been seeking some winter sun back home in Florida
Christian Pulisic has returned back to his home in Florida to recuperate ahead of Chelsea’s season resuming following the USA’s last-16 defeat to the Netherlands.
The forward has been active on social media and was even pictured at a Miami Heat game – which was also attended by US team-mate Weston McKennie.
Pulisic will hope to make an impact back at Stamford Bridge after a frustrating few seasons at the club where he has struggled for gametime.
Belgium and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been in the Maldives with his fiance
Fresh from Poland’s exit at the last-16, Robert Lewandowski also chose to visit the Maldives
The Maldives has seemed to be a popular destination for footballers, with both Robert Lewandowski and Thibaut Courtois pictured on the idyllic island with their partners.
Courtois is on holiday with his fiance following Belgium’s shock exit when Roberto Martinez’s side crashed out in the group stage.
The goalkeeper was part of a side where there were several reports about squad disharmony, with the Red Devils having significantly underachieved in Qatar.
Lewandowski meanwhile was also on the south Asian archipelago, spending some time to recuperate with his wife.
The Barcelona forward scored twice in Qatar – his first World Cup goals – but failed to take his native Poland past the last-16 stage where they lost 3-1 to France.
Conor Gallagher was snapped taking a private helicopter ride to Swiss ski resort St Mortiz
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, who was one of the five England England players to not play a minute in Qatar, was spotted taking a helicopter to the luxury Swiss ski resort of St Mortiz.
It comes after England crashed out of the World Cup to France on Saturday in heartbreaking fashion, before flying home on Sunday.
Gallagher seemed to be taking a quick break with his partner – who proceeded to go skiing although the midfielder did not – before he returns to Chelsea where he is enjoying a breakthrough season.
England are next in action in March 2023 when they take on Italy in their first qualifying match for Euro 2024.
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