Qatar is playing their first World Cup, when they open the World Cup at home on Sunday, at Al Bayt Stadion against Ecuador.
Qatar who is the Asian champions from 2019, is the lowest-ranked national team in the history to host the World Cup.
Forward Akram Afif is the top scorer in the Qatar Starts League, with 15 goals and with Hassan. Al-Haydos, forward and playmaker for the Qatar team and with 158 games for the national team, they are two of the attacking threats for the home team.
“Obviously everything we’ve done in the past three years is to have a very competitive team in the World Cup. Every country’s situation is different and we’re a small country,’ said Qatar coach Felix Sanchez, according to ESPN.
Last time the teams played against each other in 2018, in a friendly game, Qatar won 4-3.
Gustavo Alfaro is leading Ecuador in their fourth World Cup. The national team stands with a clean sheet after the six latest games.
” We have a young side, but that means we have room to grow, “said Alfaro to The Athletic.
In a squad with youngsters the captain and forward Enner Valencia, is one of the players Qatar needs to stop.
Lineups:
Qatar XI (3-4-3): Al Sheeb, Al Rawi, Khoukhi, Haj Fadlalla, Carvalho Deur Correia, Boudiaf, Mohammed Abdullah, Ahmed, Al Haydos, Abdulla, Afif
Ecuador XI (4-4-2): Galíndes, Preciado, Torres, Hincapié, Estupiñán, Plata, Méndez, Caicedo, Ibarra, E Valencia, Estrada
