world cup: World Cup opens with host country Qatar facing Ecuador

Given the level of attention paid to the Qatari regime, its attitude towards human rights, migrant workers, the LGBTQ community – and beer – the World Cup host’s soccer team has slipped under the radar. Qatar opens the tournament against Ecuador on Sunday, but the build-up to that match has also been overshadowed by Friday’s announcement that the sale of beer will be banned inside the stadium grounds.

The World Cup is a source of immense national pride for Qatar in its effort to raise its profile on the global stage and move towards modernization. But what about the team? Qatar have never appeared in a World Cup before and face a formidable challenge to emerge from Group A, which also includes Senegal and the Netherlands. South Africa are the only host nation in 2010 to have failed to get past the group stage, so to avoid sharing that distinction would be success in itself.

Qatar’s best hope for a win on Sunday could be against an Ecuadorian team that is only five places above them at No. 44 in the FIFA rankings.

Qatar’s preparations for the tournament have been ongoing for several years, including participation in the 2019 Copa América and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. But it was the win in the 2019 Asian Cup that gave evidence of the country’s ability to shock over the next few weeks. That continental title was masterminded by coach Felix Sanchez, who has been in the position since 2017 and was earlier in charge of the U-19 team.

The 46-year-old Spaniard learned his trade at Barcelona’s famed academy and his impact has been remarkable, with the Asian Cup success his standout moment. But the World Cup is another level altogether. “We try to maintain normalcy,” Sanchez told Spanish sports newspaper Marca. “We already know that there is pressure, and we don’t need to add to it. We have our own routines. We try to isolate ourselves from the noise around us and focus on doing our best.” .

“It’s difficult because then you go on the pitch, you see 60,000 people. It’s the first match of the World Cup and there are so many expectations it’s tough, but this experience will help them. Ecuador will hope to spoil the party – and has been talked about as a possible surprise package. But the team went into the World Cup in doubt over whether it would be allowed to compete after claims it fielded an ineligible player during qualifying Chile and Peru argued that defender Biron Castillo was in fact Colombian and had played in qualifying matches illegally. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected that claim.

Ecuador retained their place in the World Cup, but would be deducted three points before the start of qualifying for the 2026 tournament because Castillo’s use of incorrect information on his birthday and birthplace resulted in his passport being processed. Castillo was then left out of coach Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man squad for Qatar. With so much attention being diverted off the field for both teams, Sunday’s opener will bring the conversation back to football.

Originally published at Pen 18