With less than six months remaining in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kick-off, hosts Qatar have entered the final phase of preparation for their maiden appearance in the football showpiece event to be played from November 21 to December 18. The reigning Asian champions are currently in Spain for a training camp which will conclude on June 28.
The team management, led by head coach Felix Sanchez, picked Marbella – a city and resort area on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol – as Al Annabi’s destination for the training camp which will also include friendly matches against European sides. The team reached Spain on Thursday and such was players’ determination that they hit the training pitch just minutes after reaching Marbella following a long flight.
Sanchez picked a 27-player squad for the training camp that may well be termed as a blend of experience and young talent. The squad comprises seasoned players like Hassan Al Haydos, Akram Afif and Abdelkarim Hassan besides rising stars like the 22-year-old Homam Ahmed.
The ongoing training camp is a continuation of a long-term plan laid by Sanchez to give best possible preparation to Al Annabi ahead of the World Cup.
In March, Qatar played two home friendlies against Slovenia and Bulgaria following their participation in the FIFA Arab Cup, which was played in November-December last year. Al Annabi’s build up for the FIFA showpiece in the last couple of years also include participation in the Copa America, Gold Cup and European Zone World Cup qualifiers.
Qatar are in Group A of the World Cup where they will face European giants Netherlands, African champions Senegal and Ecuador. The home team will kick off their campaign with a match against Ecuador on November 21 at the Al Bayt Stadium. The World Cup in no doubt will be the biggest challenge for Qatar but Al Annabi have proved that they can come out victorious from toughest challenges just like they did in the 2019 Asian Cup, where they won the title in the UAE.
Qatar will continue to hone their skills as they target to go into the World Cup well prepared. The team wants to make their maiden appearance memorable by reaching far in the prestigious tournament. Importantly, Al Annabi are determined to make home fans proud by giving a best display of football.
