How many World Cups has Qatar participated in?
Felix Sanchez’s ‘Al Annabi’ side are pitted in Group A and will be looking to be one of the surprise packages at the 2022 World Cup
Despite being the second lowest FIFA ranked side at the 2022 World Cup (Qatar are in 50th place, one ahead of Saudi Arabia, head coach Felix Sanchez firmly believes that his team are capable of delivering one of the shocks of the tournament and progress from Group A.
‘Al Annabi’ (the maroons) play in their first ever World Cup, qualifying by virtue of being host nation and will be hoping to go one step further than South Africa and avoid the ignominy of being the poorest performing host nation in the history of World Cups.
Pitted in Group A, Qatar will face Ecuador, Netherlands in Senegal with the top two sides from the group advancing to the knockout stage.
Qatar have advanced as a footballing power and shocked many with their 2019 AFC Asian Cup win beating traditional powerhouse Japan in the final.
Sanchez optimistic
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s opening game, Spanish coach Felix Sanchez said that he hoped the “massive sacrifices” they had made to be tournament-ready would pay off.
Qatar paused its Stars League in September to allow the international players to train together and play several friendlies to prepare for the World Cup.
“Obviously everything we’ve done in the past three years is to have a very competitive team in the World Cup. Every country’s situation is different and we’re a small country,” Sanchez told reporters.
Qatar were once notorious for their impatient hire-and-fire policy for coaches but they have stuck with Sanchez for more than five years, trusting the Spaniard who worked with their youth teams when he arrived at their Aspire Academy in 2006.
The same players who played under him for youth teams now form the core of the senior team.
“After so many years, this is the end of a cycle -- 16 years working in this country. I’ve been in a project, growing and following the steps of players in the national team,” Sanchez said.
“It’s a huge source of pride. I will try to enjoy the moment.”