Asian champions Qatar are hoping to give best show in front of home fans as they prepare to make their debut at the FIFA World Cup. The Final Draw on Friday revealed groups for the football showpiece and the hosts also knew the teams they will face in Group A, which includes the Netherlands, African champions Senegal and Ecuador.
The Netherlands and Senegal will open the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 21 while hosts Qatar will also be seen in action on the inaugural day as they will clash with Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium, with kick off set for 7pm.
After meeting Ecuador in their opening match, Felix Sanchez-coached Qatar will take on African champions Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on November 25 at 4pm. Al Annabi will play their third and last group match against the Netherlands at 6pm on November 29 at the Al Bayt Stadium. Sanchez said his team faces tough opponents but promised best preparations for the tournament. “Any group, any team will be very, very tough for us. So what we're going to try to do from now on is start to prepare for these three games in the best way and try to be as much competitive as we can,” said the head coach.
Teams from Group A advancing to the Round of 16 will meet the top two sides from Group B, which includes England, US and Iran. The fourth Group B side will be decided after the European play-offs in June, with Wales, Scotland and Ukraine in fray for the slot.
The other groups are also exciting with defending champions France pitted against Denmark in Group D. Favourites Brazil – the five-time champions – are placed in seemingly toughest Group G with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. Four-time champions Germany were placed in Group E with 2010 winners Spain.
According to the schedule announced by FIFA, the Group stage will last 12 days, with four matches scheduled daily. The Round of 16 will be held from December 3 to 6 while the quarter-finals are scheduled on December 9 and 10. The semi-finals will be played on December 13 and 14 while the third place play-off is scheduled on December 17, a day before the final which will be played at the Lusail Stadium.
