Qatar national football team’s road to World Cup 2022

The highs, the lows, the wins, the losses and the expectations from the nationwide aspect.

The Annabi’s largest honour, nonetheless, got here in 2019 once they gained the Asian Cup for the primary time. [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Doha, Qatar – Qatar is ready to make historical past on November 20, when it turns into the primary nation to make its debut on the FIFA World Cup by advantage of being the host.

FIFA introduced Qatar because the hosts of the 2022 World Cup in December 2010, information that introduced the eye of soccer followers to the Gulf nation.

Soccer, nonetheless, was formally recognised as a sport within the nation lengthy earlier than that.

Qatar Soccer Affiliation (QFA) was fashioned in 1960 and it turned a FIFA member three years later. After spending the primary 20 years on the dropping finish of most worldwide matches, Qatar’s workforce made its first impression on the Gulf Cup in 1984, when it reached the ultimate which it misplaced to Iraq on penalties.

The Nineteen Nineties noticed the rise of the Annabi.

In 1992, Qatar gained its first-ever Gulf Cup and certified for the Summer time Olympics.

With the 2019 Asian Cup win, expectations from the nationwide workforce at the moment are greater [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Regardless of by no means having certified for the World Cup earlier than, Qatar got here shut to creating the ultimate reduce on numerous events.

They had been within the race for a spot on the 1990 World Cup however completed third within the closing spherical of qualifiers, and dropped out of the reckoning for France in 1998 after dropping their final playoff to Saudi Arabia.

Qatar’s progress on the regional and continental stage continued within the 2000s, as they gained the gold medal on the Asian Video games as hosts.

The Annabi’s largest honour, nonetheless, got here in 2019 once they gained the Asian Cup for the primary time.

Qatar began off the match within the UAE with a formidable run in group levels, profitable all three video games and scoring 10 targets.

They battled previous Iraq within the spherical of 16, edged out South Korea within the quarterfinals and thrashed UAE within the semi-finals.

Within the closing, star ahead Almoez Ali put Qatar forward early on and a powerful defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb, helped the aspect seal a 3-1 win.

The purpose they conceded within the closing was the one one all through the match whereas scoring 19.

The workforce returned dwelling to a heroes’ welcome, and raised the followers’ expectations for the World Cup.

The outcomes for the reason that 2019 win have been combined. Qatar had been invited for the 2019 Copa America to offer high quality worldwide publicity.

They misplaced three matches and drew one.

Moreover, Qatar was a part of numerous AFC world cup qualifier teams, in addition to the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021, the place it reached the semi-finals.

The Annabi reached its highest FIFA rating of 48 final yr following a formidable run on the Gulf Cup the place they completed third.

Given its current rise in worldwide soccer, Qatar’s followers might be hoping that their workforce is ready to benefit from the host issue and make a push for the knockout levels.

Qatar welcomes Asian Cup soccer champions dwelling [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Qatar’s coach Felix Sanchez will depend on the sturdy defensive unit, led by goalkeeper al-Sheeb, to maintain clear sheets.

Ali’s efficiency might be key to Qatar’s possibilities in entrance of purpose as he was the workforce’s main scorer in its Asian Cup triumph. As well as, winger Akram Afif and captain Hassan al-Haydos type the core of Qatar’s assault.

The Asian Cup-winning coach admits that the standard of opposition on the World Cup might be totally different from all different tournaments his workforce has participated in and won't make it simple for them to progress.

“Robust matches await us within the match,” Sanchez stated in a current interview. “We are going to face very sturdy groups, groups which are used to being within the World Cup.”

Sanchez has underlined the significance of getting dwelling help behind the workforce in its group matches towards Ecuador (November 20), Senegal (November 25) and the Netherlands (November 29).

“The followers’ cheers will assist Qatar through the World Cup as it would push the gamers to offer their greatest.”