How far can the hosts advance in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022?
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The wait is almost over after 12 long years. In a few months, Qatar will play as a host in the first World Cup ever held in the Middle East. The nation is overflowing with excitement. The city's development has already benefited from hosting this tournament. Now everything depends on how the team performs this winter.
This is the first time the Qatar national team has qualified for football's prestigious event, despite coming close to doing so in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, that doesn't mean other teams should ignore them. They won all seven of their games throughout their 2019 Asian Cup campaign, allowed just one goal, and defeated fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan 3-1 in the final. At home, there are tremendous expectations.
The Asian Cup was won by them. They also finished third at the Arab Cup, according to fan leader for Qatar at "Road to 2022" Aaron Fernandez.
"Now that they are hosting the FIFA World Cup, they undoubtedly benefit from having home support. The tournament has been superbly prepared, as have the pitches here. And I believe they'll advance to the tournament's later rounds with this youthful team they have."
Qatar's group matches and journey to Lusail
Qatar is up against three teams from three different continents to go to the knockout rounds. The Netherlands will give the hosts a tough test as they are competing in the World Cup for the first time since 2014. A number of football superstars, including Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, and Frenkie De Jong, will be making their World Cup debuts.
The champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal, are a further team that poses a significant challenge for Qatar in this group. Having players from some of the finest leagues in Europe, some people view them as a dark horse for this event. Koulidou Koulibaly, their captain, left Italian team Napoli after eight successful seasons and signed for Chelsea for a significant deal. Their leading scorer is, of course, Sadio Mané of Bayern Munich. Following a 39 million dollar summer transfer from Liverpool, he just arrived in Germany.
Ecuador, a South American team who advanced to the round of 16 in Germany in 2006, will also be aiming to make a splash and match that performance this time around. Their side has a few standout players who will provide some difficulties for the opposition, notably the promising young player Moisés Caicado, who is presently making an impression for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League.
Should Qatar go to the final, getting there may not be easy for them. In the round of 16, they'll face a group B opponent, who might be Gareth Southgate's England. They have a solid chance of facing the defending world champions France and perhaps Brazil in the semifinals after the first knockout round.
Key players
After winning the Asia Cup in 2019, Qatar comes into this tournament with a very established squad and starting XI. Qatar has some quality players they can rely on for some magic in the make-or-break group games, led by Spanish coach Felix Sanchez. The Maroons frequently use the 3-5-2 formation, packing the midfield with quality defenders Pedro Miguel, and Abdelkarim Hassam along with the skipper and legend Hassan Al-Haydos.
Where Qatar truly catches the eye is up front. The 25-year-old Akram Afif, who has scored 24 goals in 83 international games, is their outstanding player. Afif has experience playing at the top level of European football with Sporting Gijon and Villarreal.
"Akram Afif, who grew at Al Saad football club, has long been the "golden boy of football in this country." Matt Monahan, Middle-East editor for SPORT360X, was discussed. He was the first player ever purchased by a La Liga team and played for Sporting Gijon in that league.
"He can dribble. He moves with amazing quickness. He also has a great eye for goal when called upon. He is the team member who sticks out as having that extra talent, and if he performs well, Qatar may have a chance."
Many people would think Qatar's chances depend on the winning their opening match against Ecuador. Whatever happens, the nation is prepared to host the major tournament, and there is a good likelihood that the athletes will honour their country.
