Qatar World Cup 2022 Preview

Best Ever Finish: First Appearance

Manager: Felix Sanchez

Key Player: Almoez Ali

World Cup Group: Netherlands, Ecuador, Senegal, Qatar

It will be Qatar's first World Cup appearance and they will do it in on home soil in November with very little expectations. The nation from the Middle East only joined FIFA in 1970 and currently sit at number 50 in the FIFA World Rankings, the third lowest ranked at this winter's competition.

Qatar, who qualify through being hosts, won the ballot back in December 2010 to host the World Cup 12 years later. They are among six other teams that have qualified from the AFC, including Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Iran.

The national team is led by former Barcelona youth team coach Felix Sanchez. His reign started in 2017, after coaching the Qatar youth teams since 2013.

The Maroon have enjoyed silverware in recent years, winning the 2019 Asia Cup, after overcoming Japan in the final. Almoez Ali finished top scorer of the competition with nine goals and was awarded 'the best player' award.

He will certainly be Qatar's main source of goals, netting 39 goals in 76 appearances for the World Cup hosts.

Qatar will be hoping to progress from their group, but it may be hard challenge against the strength of Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands.