Group A Preview - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Can hosts make the last 16?

Qatar is staging the first-ever Winter World Cup, the time of year that is classed as mid-season for most big leagues worldwide, especially in Europe. The host nation is in Group A and will face the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador. Qatar must finish in the top two in order to progress to the last 16.

Monday, November 21st

13:00 Senegal v Netherlands

Al Thumama Stadium.

Monday, November 21st

19:00 Qatar v Ecuador

Al Bayt Stadium

Friday, November 25th

16:00 Qatar v Senegal

Al Thumama Stadium

Friday, November 25th

19:00 Netherlands v Ecuador

Khalifa International Stadium

Tuesday, November 29th

18:00 Qatar v Netherlands

Al Bayt Stadium

Tuesday, November 29th

18:00 Ecuador v Senegal

Khalifa International Stadium

For Qatar, the task is clear, and manager Felix Sanchez is a 46-year-old who knows the country - and its football teams well. The Spaniard first came to Qatar in 2006, joining Aspire Academy. Over the years, he's held positions with the Under 19's and Under 23's before taking over the national team in 2017. Since then, he's led the team to the Asian Cup in 2019 and third place in the Arab Cup in December 2021. He has worked with the squad in a variety of age groups, and he has a lasting relationship with many of them. He hopes this bond will make the squad stronger when the tournament begins.

"It's been an amazing journey for me. It's always nice to see players that you met when they were 11 or 12 years old and now they are playing in the national team. So, you know, all the effort and all the training, all the sacrifices, all the wins and defeats were worth it. However, they need to keep working and improving, especially for the 2022 World Cup."

On the pitch, results count, but off it, the World Cup represents a chance for the nation