Just how good is the Qatar national team

Qatar is hosting its first ever World Cup in 2022. The hosts are currently ranked 50 in the FIFA world rankings. They are also current Asian Cup champions having beaten Japan 3-1 in 2019. However, back when Qatar was awarded the 2022 World cup in 2010, their national team was ranked 113 and had never qualified for a World Championship before.

Aspire Academy was set up in 2004 with the goal of scouting and developing aspiring Qatari athletes. The academy has had $1.4 billion pumped into developing both the youth and the first team. Qatar focused on bringing over international players and nationalising them into the team, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Instead, they focused more on the development of the young players. They are planning to host the 2022 World cup.

Felix Sanchez was appointed as manager of the Qatar national team in 2017. He had been a manager for the U19 and U23 team before that. Felix Sanchez has been the mentor to some of Qatar's young players. Before Felix was a part of Barcelona's academy. The QFA idolises Spanish footballing ideologies and tiki-taka style of play.

Almonez Ali is a star player for Qatar. He has scored 41 goals in 84 appearances for Al-Duhail. Lowe believes he would be playing in Europe if it wasn't for the World Cup.

Qatar are expected to finish bottom of their group at the World Cup. They have Ecuador first and Senegal second. No one from the team has played club football since June. Qatar have developed as a national team since they were awarded the tournament in 2010. The development of the youth system is a key part of this development.