'Embarrassment' fears at tainted World Cup

2 years ago 90

Arguably the astir arguable sporting tourney ever is little than a fortnight distant - with Qatar acceptable to big the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Among the main concerns are some the nation's quality rights issues, and their wide preparedness for the tournament.

Only connected Thursday, the federation unveiled a 6000-cabin instrumentality colony successful an isolated batch adjacent its airports.

But connected the pitch, questions person lingered since the hosting rights were secured - Qatar has ne'er played astatine a World Cup, and has ne'er earnestly threatened to qualify.

Their attempts to suffice for Russia ended with them anchored to the bottommost of their radical successful the 3rd round, with conscionable 2 wins from 10, portion successful 2014's World Cup rhythm they won conscionable 2 of 8 to autumn astatine the aforesaid hurdle.

The 2019 Asian Cup occurrence was viewed arsenic a breakthrough moment, and it was done truthful with a squad chiefly of homegrown players, alternatively than being reliant connected erstwhile efforts to naturalise players from nations specified arsenic Brazil.

World Cup squads: All 32 squads

The Asian Cup was 1 thing, but with the full satellite watching, the nation's superior extremity volition beryllium to debar embarrassment connected the field, arsenic overmuch arsenic it volition beryllium to contiguous a palatable representation of beingness disconnected of it.

Regardless of their fortunes, they'll find neutral fans pugnacious to travel by - determination won't beryllium heartwarming moments similar we saw with South Korea's tally to the semi-finals successful 2002, oregon Siphiwe Tshabalala's creation successful the opening crippled of 2010 successful South Africa.

Teams (FIFA World Ranking):

Qatar (50)

The big federation is playing successful its first-ever World Cup, but is coming into the tourney arsenic Asian champions, having beaten Japan successful the last of the Asian Cup successful 2019.

Ecuador (44)

Getting done the gauntlet that is South American qualification is nary mean feat, and Ecuador secured the 4th and last automatic spot connected the penultimate matchday of the 18-round circular robin.

Senegal (18)

Senegal narrowly overcame Egypt connected penalties to unafraid their spot - though it wasn't without controversy, with a postulation of laser pointers successful the assemblage being shone successful visiting players' eyes.

Netherlands (8)

After missing the 2018 tournament, the Dutch punched their summons connected the last time of UEFA qualifying with a 2-0 triumph implicit Norway.

Fixtures:

Qatar vs Ecuador

Senegal vs Netherlands

Qatar vs Senegal

Netherlands vs Ecuador

Ecuador vs Senegal

Netherlands vs Qatar

Prediction:

The Dutch are deserved favourites but this radical is 1 of the much wide-open ones, and some Senegal and Ecuador person reached the knockout stages successful the 21st century.

Qatar are a comparatively chartless quantity but we usually spot a spot of a boost by being the big nation, and seeing them sneak into the 2nd circular isn't beyond the realms of probability.

1st: Netherlands

2nd: Senegal

3rd: Qatar

4th: Ecuador

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