Few outside of Qatar will know what to expect from the host nation as the Middle East nation is set to be the first in the region to ever host the World Cup this winter, but many on the surface will feel that The Maroon will do nothing more than make up the numbers, but hosts nations have a habit of performing above expectations across the history of this tournament.
Many will also forget that Qatar recently won the AFC Asian Cup just three years ago in 2019 while dispatching both South Korea and Japan – in a 3-1 final win – on their way to their first ever major international honour.
Recent friendly wins against Bulgaria and Ghana, as well as draws against Morocco and Chile, paint a picture of a national team program that will relish being viewed as an underdog that most will expect will get walked over by the Netherlands and Senegal.
But stranger things have happened on the biggest stage.
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Qatar World Cup 2022 Tips
Read the latest Qatar odds ahead of the World Cup, including their odds to win the tournament, odds to claim the golden boot, 101 Great Goals’ top tip and more 2022 World Cup predictions and tips.
Qatar World Cup Predictions
World Cup betting tips
As host nations, Qatar may be expected to have some sort of footballing credentials, but they are likely to exit the tournament with a whimper. The award of the World Cup to a nation with no real history in the game was a surprise, and they are unlikely to prove too many points on the pitch.
Qatar Golden Boot Prediction
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Manager
Felix Sanchez
The former Barcelona youth coach has been in position as manager of Qatar for five years, having come through the youth setup over the past 10 years following a spell at the Qatari Aspire Academy. Having risen through the ranks, the Barcelona-born coach has been in charge for 83 matches, maintaining an impressive win record of 51.8% and most notably the AFC Asian Cup in 2019. He will carry some expectation to be competitive from powers that be of the home nation, and it will be an impressive feat if he can lead them to just one win.
Record
Total appearances: N/A
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World Ranking: 50
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Key players
Hassan Al-Haydos
National team captain and one of the nation’s all-time leading scorers, Hassan Al-Haydos comes into the World Cup as one of a trio of attackers at the disposal of head coach Félix Sánchez that have bagged over 25 goals, with Al-Haydos currently sitting on 34 in a whopping 165 appearances. His influence will be vital.
Abdelkarim Hassan
One of thirteen players to come from domestic powerhouse Al-Sadd, key defender Abdelkarim Hassan will have a vital place in the team on the left-side of the defence and the 29-year-old brings a wealth of experience on the back of 124 caps and has goals in his locker with 15 strikes for his country.
A graduate of the renown Aspire Academy while formerly earning a loan spell with KAS Eupen in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, Hassan is one of the countries best players.
Akram Afif
Twenty-five-year-old Akram Afif brings a credible goal return to the tournament this winter with 25 goals to his name for his country and is one of the more in-form players in front of goal for Sánchez’s men in the run-up to the tournament. Could compromise one piece of a front-three triumvirate that will be eager to ensure Qatar score goals in front of home support.
101′s Qatar World Cup Tip
101 Great Goals can see nothing but a Qatar first-round exit on home soil, owing to inexperience and complete unknown entity on such a stage.
101’s Top Tip
Qatar stats, fixtures and results
Follow our Qatar page for the latest statistics, live odds, fixtures, results and match facts of every game at the World Cup.
