2022 World Cup host Qatar is preparing for its role with a strong Gold Cup run

114
455

There was also an on-field concern: Qatar would have to field a team World Cup host Qatar.

Since it gained independence in 1971, the small Persian Gulf state had never participated in the World Cup or cracked the top 50 in FIFA’s rankings. Until 2019, when it won the Asian Cup title, Qatar had never come close to reaching the continental final.

As World Cup host, though, the national team would receive a free pass to the 32-team competition and, by extension, carry the burden of showing it belonged. Only once has the home team failed to advance out of group play (South Africa in 2010).

With the tournament now less than 16 months away, Qatar is making strides. On Thursday, the Maroon will make a surprise appearance in the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals against the United States in Austin. The winner will face Mexico or Canada in Sunday’s final in Las Vegas.

World Cup host Qatar

As the only outsider in the 16-team regional tournament, Qatar won Group D with two victories and a draw, then defeated El Salvador, 3-2, in the quarterfinals Saturday in Glendale, Ariz. No team has scored more than Qatar’s 12 goals in the tournament.

“We are trying to prepare a team to be ready to play the World Cup. That is why the country set up a plan where we can challenge” teams outside Qatar’s region, Félix Sánchez — a Spaniard who has coached the 58th-ranked squad for four years — said Wednesday. “We are improving things. We realize we need to improve other things; that’s why we are here. In games like the one we will play tomorrow, it will be another chance for us to show how prepared we are.”

Unrelated to World Cup qualifying, this biennial event decides the champion of North and Central America and the Caribbean. So why is a Middle Eastern team taking part?Matthew Hoppe’s first international goal sends the USMNT to the Gold Cup semifinals

It’s not uncommon for regional championships such as the Gold Cup and Copa America (the South American competition) to invite guests. Brazil advanced to Gold Cup final in 1996 and 2003, and South Korea was a Gold Cup guest six months before it co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with Japan.

Qatar and Japan were invited to the 2019 Copa America in Brazil. While those invitations provided a workable number of teams for group play (12 instead of 10), Qatar’s entry into the Gold Cup came at the expense of a Concacaf member. Early this month, three qualifying slots were available instead of four.

Aside from providing competition for Qatar, the tournament offered a marketing platform for the country in the run-up to the World Cup, which will take place in November-December 2022.

State-run Qatar Airways is the Gold Cup’s official airline partner and the primary sponsor of Fox Sports coverage. The airline’s logo is splashed on the network’s studio during pregame, halftime and postgame shows.

With a sudden programming gap Saturday, Fox put the Qatar-El Salvador match on its national broadcast channel — a massive platform for two small programs. (Fox Sports is also the English-language U.S. rights holder for the World Cup.)

Qatar is also contracted to play in the 2023 Gold Cup and the airline will sponsor the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League, a newer competition.

Leading to the World Cup, the Maroon is also gaining experience against European teams. It was unofficially placed in a World Cup qualifying group to serve as an opponent when one of the five teams is off. Qatar beat Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, drew with Ireland and will face Serbia and group favourite Portugal in September.

World Cup host Qatar

“Since we are playing in the World Cup, it will be good to play other styles of football,” Sánchez said before the Gold Cup began. “It will be good for us to get this experience and to improve our international level.”

Sánchez, 45, was hired for the Qatari sports academy in 2006 after working in FC Barcelona’s youth system. He guided Qatar’s under-19, U-20 and U-23 programs before taking the reins of the senior squad. In the Asian Cup, the Maroon swept seven matches and did concede a goal until the 3-1 upset over Japan in the final.These USMNT players eye a future in coaching. That means class is in session.

Almoez Ali, a 22-year-old attacker at the time, led the tournament with nine goals. In the Gold Cup, he has scored a tournament-leading four times.

Ali and all 22 teammates play for clubs in the modest Qatar Stars League. Extended employment in the top pro division paved the way for several foreign-born players to gain citizenship, including defenders Pedro “Ró-Ró” Correia (Portugal) and Boualem Khoukhi (Algeria), midfielder Karim Boudiaf (France) and forward Mohammed Muntari (Ghana).

An unknown entering the Gold Cup, Qatar has played attractive, attacking soccer. In the quarterfinals, it scored twice early and led 3-0 before conceding two goals and several subsequent threats.

To this point, the Maroon’s highest-ranked opponent was No. 67 Honduras. The No. 20 Americans will provide a stiffer test.

“Qatar deserves to be in the semis,” U.S. midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “They are a good, counterattacking team. They are dangerous. They’ve got quality players. I like our chances. It’s going to be a fun game and a difficult one.”

Read more on soccer:

D.C. United gets the better of the rival Red Bulls with a 1-0 victory at Audi Field

‘Ted Lasso,’ built on charm and empathy, won over America. It won over the soccer world, too.

Now starting for the U.S. national soccer teams: Podcasters

114 COMMENTS

  1. At this time it seems like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform available right now.

    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  2. Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and
    starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  3. Hmm it aρpears like your site ate mү first comment
    (it was еxtremely long) so I guews I’ⅼl just sum it up what I had
    wrіtten and say, I’m thorojghly enjoying your blog. I as well am an asⲣiring blog writеr
    bᥙt I’m stіll neww to everything. Do you have any points for
    beginner blog writers? I’d dsfinitely appreciate it.

  4. I’m curious to find out what blog system you happen to be using?
    I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest website and I would like to find something more
    safeguarded. Do you have any recommendations?

  5. Thanks a ton for being my personal lecturer on this matter.

    I actually enjoyed the article greatly and most of
    all liked the way you handled the issues I widely known as controversial.
    You happen to be always extremely kind to readers much like me and assist me to in my living.
    Thank you.

    my webpage … Infinuity CBD Gummies

  6. Heya! I understand this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does operating a well-established website like yours take a massive amount work?
    I’m completely new to blogging however I do write in my journal
    every day. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and feelings online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
    Thankyou!

  7. I think this is one of the most significant info for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is ideal, the articles is really nice : D.
    Good job, cheers

  8. I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today,
    yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a
    lot more useful than ever before.

  9. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just
    too fantastic. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and
    the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and
    you still take care of to keep it wise. I can not
    wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific
    web site.

    Here is my homepage … Optimum Keto Review; patimood.net,

  10. I enjoy you because of all your valuable
    hard work on this website. Kim enjoys engaging in investigation and it’s really easy to understand why.
    Most people learn all regarding the lively way you
    make informative tips through your web site and even strongly encourage response from people about this matter while
    our favorite simple princess is undoubtedly starting to learn a lot of things.
    Have fun with the remaining portion of the year.

    Your performing a dazzling job.

    Have a look at my site :: Moscatcher Zapper

  11. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
    I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this informative article together.

    I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time
    both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  12. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly
    donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding
    your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and
    will share this website with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

  13. I got this web page from my pal who told me
    regarding this web page and now this time I am visiting this web site and reading very
    informative content at this place.

  14. Hi there would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re using?

    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different internet browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.

    Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
    Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  15. Wow, superb weblog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog for?
    you make running a blog glance easy. The full glance of your site is
    great, let alone the content![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I
    just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting
    that I really loved the usual information an individual supply on your
    guests? Is gonna be back often in order to check out new posts.

    My website Ketoroll

  16. Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest
    authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects
    you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would appreciate your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to
    send me an email.

    Check out my page: Keto Secret Reviews (http://www.dumankayahifit.com)

  17. Awesome website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the
    same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a
    part of group where I can get comments from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Cheers!

  18. This is the right webpage for anyone who really wants to find
    out about this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really
    would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s
    been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff,
    just great!

  19. Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with
    your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related
    info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently
    found what I hoped for before you know it in the least.

    Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something,
    site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate.
    Nice task.

    Also visit my page … Alpha Edge Male Enhancement [https://franchise-business-forum.ru]

  20. This is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to in quest of
    extra of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks

  21. It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
    I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips.
    Maybe you can write next articles referring to
    this article. I wish to read more things about it!

  22. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your website offered us with valuable info to work on.
    You’ve done a formidable task and our whole group shall be grateful to you.

    Here is my site … Optimum Keto Diet (Bertha)

  23. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this
    board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.

    I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  24. It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you simply shared this useful information with us.
    Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for
    sharing.

  25. Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was
    extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what
    I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.

    I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any points for first-time blog writers?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  26. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and
    you’re just too excellent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really
    like what you are stating and the way in which
    you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise.
    I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful website.

  27. Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo
    News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed
    in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to
    get there! Appreciate it

  28. I think this is among the most important info for me.
    And i am satisfied reading your article. But want to observation on some normal things,
    The site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D.
    Excellent process, cheers

  29. Hey exceptional blog! Does running a blog such as this take a massive amount work?
    I’ve very little expertise in coding however I was hoping to start my own blog in the
    near future. Anyhow, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off topic nevertheless I just had to ask.

    Appreciate it!

  30. Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site,
    how could i subscribe for a weblog site? The account helped me a applicable deal.
    I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant transparent concept.

    Also visit my page: Aizen Power – Jacob

  31. It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this useful information with us.
    Please keep us up to date like this. Thank
    you for sharing.

  32. Hey outstanding website! Does running a blog such as this
    require a lot of work? I’ve no expertise in programming but I had been hoping to start my
    own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please share.
    I know this is off subject nevertheless I just had to ask.
    Thanks a lot!

  33. Simply want to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness for your post is simply nice and that i can assume you are knowledgeable on this subject.
    Well together with your permission let me to grab your RSS
    feed to stay updated with imminent post. Thanks 1,000,000 and
    please keep up the enjoyable work.

  34. Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to
    give it a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Excellent blog and terrific design and style.

  35. I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?
    A handful of my blog readers have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
    Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?

  36. That is really attention-grabbing, You’re a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and stay up for seeking extra of your magnificent post.
    Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks

  37. I have been surfing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made
    good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  38. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this article together.
    I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading
    and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  39. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this brilliant blog!
    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group.

    Chat soon!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here