Given the extent of concentrate on the Qatari regime, its attitudes towards human rights, immigrant employees, the LGBTQ neighborhood — and beer — the World Cup host’s soccer staff has slipped below the radar.
Qatar opens the match in opposition to Ecuador on Sunday, however even the buildup to that match has been overshadowed by Friday’s announcement that the sale of beer will probably be banned contained in the stadium grounds. The World Cup is a supply of immense nationwide pleasure for Qatar in its try to lift its profile on the worldwide stage and drive towards modernization. However what concerning the staff?
Qatar has by no means earlier than appeared in a World Cup and faces a serious problem simply to emerge from Group A, which additionally consists of Senegal and the Netherlands. South Africa in 2010 is the one host nation to fail to get past the group stage, so to keep away from sharing that distinction can be success in itself. Sunday could also be Qatar’s finest hope for a victory in opposition to an Ecuador staff that’s solely 5 locations above it at No. 44 within the FIFA rankings.
Qatar’s preparation for this match has been occurring for a number of years, together with involvement within the 2019 Copa America and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. However it was victory within the 2019 Asian Cup that supplied proof of the nation’s potential to offer a shock over the following few weeks.
That continental title was masterminded by coach Felix Sanchez, who has been within the place since 2017 and earlier than that was in control of the under-19 staff. The 46-year-old Spaniard realized his commerce at Barcelona’s famed academy and his influence has been exceptional, with the Asian Cup success his standout second.
However the World Cup is one other stage solely. “We attempt to keep normality,” Sanchez informed Spanish sports activities newspaper Marca. “We already know that there’s that stress, and we don’t have so as to add to it. We now have our routine. We attempt to isolate ourselves from the noise round us and concentrate on getting our greatest efficiency.
“It’s tough as a result of you then go onto the pitch, you see 60,000 folks. It’s the primary World Cup match and there’s a lot expectation that it’s laborious, however that have will assist them.” Ecuador will hope to spoil the social gathering — and has been talked about as a possible shock bundle. However the staff heads to the World Cup on the again of doubts about whether or not it will even be allowed to compete after claims it fielded an ineligible participant throughout qualifying.
Chile and Peru argued that defender Byron Castillo was really Colombian and illegally performed in qualifying matches. That declare was rejected by the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport. Ecuador saved its place on the World Cup, however will probably be deducted three factors earlier than the beginning of qualifying for the 2026 competitors due to using false info on Castillo’s birthday and birthplace in its proceedings to grant him a passport.
Castillo was then neglected of coach Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man squad for Qatar. With a lot focus away from the sphere for each groups, Sunday’s opener will convey the dialog again to soccer.