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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Sport
Asharq Al-Awsat

Qatar Set for World Cup Debut with Something to Prove

Qatar World Cup Felix Sanchez Akram Afif a World Cup Ecuador Greece Group A. Italy
Qatar's Akram Afif is in action during the group A Arab Cup soccer match between Qatar and Bahrain at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (AP)

Only one host nation has failed to advance past the group stage of the World Cup, and Qatar will be trying to avoid becoming the second.

Qatar will be the only team in tournament history to play in the World Cup without ever having competitively qualified for it, since hosts get automatic spots. Italy was the only exception for automatic qualification as host of the second World Cup in 1934, when it had to beat Greece to advance.

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