The World Cup has helped ease family heartache for England star Mason Mount, Mailonline can reveal.
The Chelsea midfielder's sister Stacey lives in Australia and gave birth to his niece Poppy more three years ago.
But the pandemic - Australia had some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world - along with the demands of his football schedule, stopped him from seeing her.
But Stacey has brought Poppy to Qatar to meet her uncle at the World Cup.
The 23-year-old footballer, who has reportedly been offered £200,000-a-week in a new contract by Chelsea, was all smiles as he hugged Poppy by the touchline after playing a World Cup match.