With only 36 days left for the Qatar World Cup, 32 teams are gearing up. Starting today, the assessment of the teams that will polish their strategies and lace up their boots in football’s grand finale
The hosts, Qatar, are preparing to tie their boots as a team with challenges and hopes in the World Cup, which will be hosted for the first time in Arab soil. With only 36 days left for the Qatar World Cup, 32 teams are gearing up to mark themselves on the football map.
Along with the organization, the host team is preparing to make the fans say that Qatar is the best in the game. Lovers call Qatar ‘Annabi’. Their nickname comes from the Arabic word for maroon, the color of the jersey.
The history of World Cup football is characterized by the fact that the hosts have always created miracles. Sometimes they are champions. At the same time, it also has a rare history of being eliminated in the group round itself. In the 2010 World Cup, the hosts were knocked out in the first round.
When the World Cup came to the continent for the first time, South Africa surprised by drawing Mexico and overturning the former world champions France, but it was the first time in the history of the World Cup that they fell to the third place in the first round due to the weight of defeat by Uruguay.
However, the South Africans were relieved that they were able to perform at their best. This time, Qatar, who got the opportunity to play the World Cup with the advantage of being the host, is preparing to cross the group round.
None of the opponents are bad. 8th ranked Netherlands, Senegal and 44th ranked Ecuador. They need to get past them, to be in the top two of the group for Qatar to enter the pre-quarters.
Akram Afif
Great conquerors are powerful
After making a remarkable leap in 12 years, Qatar is coming to take a look at the battle of the best teams in the world. They were 113th in the FIFA rankings when they were awarded the World Cup in 2010, and reached their best ever ranking of 42nd this year.
Beyond the token entry of just being the hosts, ‘Annabi’ is wearing boots with the title of being the powerhouse of the continent in terms of playing excellence. Winning the title in the 2019 Asia Cup, then being a semi-finalist in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, third place in the FIFA Arab Cup, and participation in two Copa America championships have made Qatar a strong team.
preparation
After the Stars League Championship ended in April, the national team is preparing for the World Cup. The club season was given a break and the national team members were called to the camp and training started. Those in Europe have already taken part in a handful of competitions since June.
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Coach Felix Sanchez, who leads the team like a family, is the backbone of the team. Sanchez came to Aspire Academy in 2006 from the Barcelona youth team and trained from there, playing the first World Cup against Qatar.
Felix Sanchez
Sanchez, who coached the U-19 and U-23 national teams, has also been the coach of the Qatar senior team since 2017. The team was prepared for the World Cup by developing the players step by step.
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Hasan Al Haydos is the skipper with 165 matches to his name. Goal machine Akram Afif and Al Mueez Ali spearheaded the attack. Karim Boudiaf and Abdul Aziz Hatim to play in midfield.
The experienced Abdul Karim Hasan, Boulam Khouki and Pedro Miguel lead the defense. Saad Al Sheeb to net. With their joining, Qatar’s World Cup team is ready.