World Cup team previews: Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador

ESPN is previewing each of the World Cup's 32 teams ahead of their matches. Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador are in Group A.

Qatar will become the first country to make its debut at the World Cup by virtue of being hosts. The team reached their best FIFA ranking of 48 last year after finishing third in the Arab Cup 2021 and making the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Qatar play a 3-5-2 formation with an organised defence and midfield. They rely on the experience of captain Hassan Al Haydos, forward Almoez Ali and winger Akram Afif.

At this World Cup, Qatar's biggest strength will be playing at home. All of the players in Qatar preliminary squad play for local clubs. Eleven of them play in the Al Sadd league. The coach is Sanchez, who has been in Qatari since 2006.

Qatar's players ply their trade in the Qatari league. The host nation has played in Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup. Their defensive frailties and inability to cope with pressure from high-quality opposition are their biggest weaknesses.

Almoez Ali is Qatar's leading scorer in major tournaments. He is third on the all-time scoring list.

The team is 3-5-2 with Al Sheeb, Khoukhi, Hassan, Miguel, Hatem, Boudiaf, Al Haydos, ElAmin, Afif, Ali.

Qatar is hosting the World Cup. The hosts are looking to become the first country to win their World cup debut since Senegal in 2002.

Qatar open the tournament against Ecuador in front of 60,000 fans at the Al Bayt Stadium on Nov. 20. If Qatar are able to take a point against Senegal and the Netherlands, they might end up progressing to the knockouts.

Netherlands qualified for the World Cup under Frank de Boer. They lost to Turkey in their opening game. After a disappointing exit at the round-of-16 stage, Louis van Gaal took over and the team won the qualifying group by two points over Turkey.

Van Gaal has implemented a 3-4-3 system with focus on safety in defence. The formation is a renewal of the style of play used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 11 matches under Louis van Gaal. The team's biggest strength is the solid defence. They conceded just six goals in six games to win Nations League Group A4.

Netherlands' team width is their biggest weakness. They don't have a clear first-choice goalkeeper. They have four options: Jasper Cillessen, Mark Flekken, Remko Pasveer and Justin Bijlow.

Frenkie de Jong is the star player of the Dutch team. De Jong has had a tough time at Barcelona recently. Manchester United will be watching his performances in Qatar closely.

Netherlands' team is 3-4-3 with Cillessen, Ake, Van Dijk, Timber, Blind, De Jong, Koopmeiners, Dumfries, Gakpo, Memphis and Bergwijn.

Netherlands are unbeaten since Van Gaal returned as coach in August 2021. They are 3-time World Cup runners-up (1974, 1978 and 2010).

Netherlands are favourites in Group A and should get through to the knockout stage. They will play England, Wales, U.S. or Iran in the round of 16.

Senegal beat Egypt on penalties in a two-legged playoff to qualify for the World Cup. Senegal won the AFCON final in January. Sadio Mane scored the decisive penalty.

Expect a rugged 4-3-1 formation with a muscular, conservative midfield supporting a front three. Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly forge a world-class defensive spine.

Senegal finished second in the ranking for the Ballon d'Or. Senegal's defence was critical to their AFCON success earlier this year. Abdou Diallo and Koulibaly formed a solid defensive partnership. The midfield will provide a sound screen for their backline.

Nampalys Mendy, Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate are playing together in Senegal's midfield. They are 33, 32 and 33 respectively. Pape Matar Sarr is yet to play a league game for Leicester.

Sadio Mane is the star player for Senegal. He has been in fine form recently, most recently with Bayern Munich. Mane has proved himself to be a big-game player in AFCON knockouts and the playoff triumph over Egypt.

The team is 4-3-2-1. Senegal's starting XI is: E Mendy, Ballo-Toure, Koulibaly, Diallo, Sabaly; Kouyate, N Mendi, Gueye, Mane, Dia, Sarr.

Senegal won the African Cup of Nations in 2021 and their best World Cup finish was in the quarterfinals in 2002.

Senegal are in a favourable group. They can reach the knockouts, but they need to beat Netherlands in their opener.

Ecuador qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Qatar. They finished fourth in the last automatic qualifying slot. Gustavo Alfaro was appointed coach a month before the start of the qualifiers. He has been a success.

Ecuador's recent success has been based on fast counterattacks down the flanks. Alfaro's team defends high and seeks to win possession close to the opposing goal.

Ecuador are the team that Brazil coach Tite is most impressed with. They have played each other three times recently, drawing two and losing one. Ecuador were South American U20 champions in 2019 and came third in that year's World Cup.

Ecuador have played five friendlies since qualification and they have scored only two goals. The main strikers, Michael Estrada and Enner Valencia, have been struggling for form recently. Ecuador have just three survivors from the side that played at Brazil 2014. They play their opening game against Qatar in front of the whole world.

Moises Caicedo is the star player of the Ecuadorian national team. He is a product of Independiente del Valle and is very physical. He was thrown into the team as a teenager and immediately showed his ability.

The team is 4-3-2-1. Ecuador's starting XI is: Dominguez, Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Franco, Gruezo, Caicedo, Mena, Estrada, Valencia.

Ecuador is winless in their last four competitive games and have a W2, D6, L1 record in 2022. They have the best World Cup finish in 2006.

Ecuador are expected to reach the knockout stage at the World Cup. They need to beat either Holland or Senegal to get out of their group. Their debut game against Qatar is vital.