Denmark’s ambitions at the World Cup have increased, Eriksen says

Nov 13 (Reuters) – Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen says his country’s goals at the World Cup have increased after the boost they got from their run to the European Championship semi-finals last year.

The team bounced back from the traumatic loss of Eriksen to a heart attack in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland to get out of their group and make it all the way to the last four where they narrowly lost to England at Wembley.

“When we were in the finals last time, there was a clear goal to get past the group stage and take it from there,”Eriksen said in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

“That is something we should do now. We will progress from the group, and we will go as far as possible.

“Of course, we need to be lucky and play some good games, but our goal for the World Cup broadened when you reach a semi-final in the European Championship.”

The Danish Football Association (DBU) said on Thursday that FIFA had rejected Denmark’s request to train at the World Cup in shirts with the words “human rights for all” on them.

Qatar has come under intense pressure over its treatment of foreign workers and its restrictive social laws, leading many participating teams to raise concerns. The country has denied claims that workers were exploited.

“It was a decision from FIFA, and they said themselves that it was wrong that the World Cup came to Qatar, that’s where the mistake started,” Eriksen said.

“But to set us players up as politicians, that is something we will never be. We are soccer players that play for the national teams that are a part of FIFA and FIFA chooses to play in Qatar. So where are the limits, and what are the possibilities?” Eriksen asked.

“We are there as soccer players and, politically, we do what we can. But there is not so much we can do, we just want to play soccer.”

Denmark kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on Nov. 22 before facing France four days later and Australia on Nov. 30.

Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris

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