Izuchukwu OkosiWith barely a week to the big kick off of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Prime Business Africa presents profiles of the teams heading to the 32nd edition of the tournament.
Today, we begin with the Group A teams and specifically in this piece, the hosts, Qatar.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThese teams profiles were vastly sourced from FIFA’s official website.
QATAR
Asian champions, FIFA World Cup™ debutants, host nation, unknown quantity, or the single most prepared side in the tournament?
It is safe to say there are many battling, and at times contrasting, narratives surround Qatar national team going into what will in all cases be a historic tournament for them.
Not since Italy in 1934 has any nation hosted the FIFA World Cup having never qualified to the competition, and Qatar will want to avoid the fate of South Africa, who remain the only host country to be eliminated in the group stage.
But with only Saudi Arabia and Ghana ranked below them in the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking among the 32 teams, the odds are stacked against them.
An unfancied side even at continental level, Qatar had never progressed past the quarter-finals in the AFC Asian Cup until 2019.
Felix Sanchez’s men however proved to be a different breed to their predecessors, taking the tournament by storm and cruising to their maiden title with a string of performances that saw them concede only one goal as they bagged 16 and defeated four former champions in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea Republic and Japan to lift a fully deserved title.
With no involvement in the Asian Qualifiers as hosts, the Maroon filled the past couple of years by participating in the CONMEBOL Copa America Brazil 2019, the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 and the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, reaching the semi-finals of the latter two.
A generation of players whose entire career was built around preparing for Qatar 2022 will be under immense pressure to perform, but with an unmatched level of stability and big crowds behind them this winter, anything is possible.
READ ALSO: Davido Performs 2022 FIFA World Cup Soundtrack With Qatari Singer, Aisha, Trinidad Cardona
Player To Watch: Akram Afif
Position: Forward
Age: 25
Akram Afif is a versatile attacker who can play on both wings of the attack and also act as the point man.
The 25-year-old forward has had stints playing in Belgium and Spain but currently plies his trade for Al-Sadd.
His prolific goalscoring ability has seen him shortlisted as AFC best player three times, winning the coveted award in 2019.
Since then, he has been a key member of the Al Annabi team and indispensable even after his recent dip in form, featuring in all Qatar’s latest friendlies.
Key Player: Almoez Ali
Position: Forward
Age: 26
Qatar’s conservative approach on the pitch means chances are likely to be few and far between as they take on Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A, putting even more emphasis on Ali’s exceptional eye for goal.
The 26-year-old is already third in his country’s all-time scorers list, his 39 strikes putting him just three shy of record holder Mansour Muftah.
In 2021, Ali joined Mexico’s Luis Hernandez to become the second player in history to finish as top scorer in two different continental competitions, having done so at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 with nine goals and the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 with four.
Having previously had stints in Austria and Spain, Ali now plies his trade at home with Al Duhail, where he enjoys mentoring from one of the game’s all-time great forwards in Hernan Crespo, his club’s head coach.
Qatar’s Group A Fixtures
20 November
Qatar vs Ecuador (19:00 local time, Al Bayt Stadium)
25 November
Qatar vs Senegal (16:00 local time, Al Thumama Stadium)
29 November
Netherlands v Qatar (18:00 local time, Al Bayt Stadium).
Prime Business Africa’s prediction: Despite being the hosts, Prime Business Africa sees the Qatari national side finishing bottom of their group.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
Follow Us