GROUP A

SMISO MSOMI

GROUP A

Hosts Qatar have to get past Ecuador, Senegal and Netherlands if they are to progress to the second round.

QATAR

QATAR will participate in its first ever World Cup campaign after being handed the rights to host the biggest sporting event in the world. They head into the showpiece tournament as the lowest ranked in their group in 50th. The Maroons have proven to have the requisite infrastructure to ensure a successful event but they are yet to prove their pedigree where it matters most, which is on the field. Their only piece of silverware was acquired back in 2019 when they beat perennial winners of the Asian Cup, Japan, to mark an unprecedented growth in the nation’s football level.

ECUADOR

ECUADOR will partake on the world stage for the fourth time in its history after previously appearing in 2002, 2006, and 2014 editions. La Tri (The Tri Colours) were the youngest team to qualify from the South American section, with an average age of just over 25, qualifying for Qatar by finishing fourth in the South American section, two points ahead of Peru. The biggest name expected on the Ecuador team sheet is Moisés Caicedo, better known to his mates as “Niño Moi” (middle right). The Brighton and Hove midfielder has become an indispensable figure for both club and country, providing balance, aggression, and offensive threat.

SENEGAL

The current African champions are expected to go deeper than all the continent’s representatives. They have played two Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in the last three years, dispatching continental giants Egypt, including Mohammed Salah, as they won their first-ever crown earlier this year.

The Lions of Teranga are in their best form for a very long time having won four, drawn two, and lost just one game in the run-up to the World Cup. Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane is, of course, Senegal’s star player and talisman, but the Bayern Munich striker recently limped off his team’s 6-1 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen casting doubt on his participation in Qatar. They will certainly need Mane’s (top left) charismatic influence and goals if they are to match the Class of 2002 who reached the quarter-finals in South Korea and Japan.

NETHERLANDS

In terms of squad quality and World Cup pedigree, the Netherlands are heavy favourites to qualify as group winners. They have proven vulnerable to injuries, though, in recent months with their main creative players, such as Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay suffering muscle problems. With Gini Wijnaldum already ruled out, it will be interesting to see how they manage the entire tournament. The Dutch hold the record for playing the most World Cup finals without ever winning it - a record they’re looking to put right.