Qatar were the first country to secure their spot for World Cup 2022 when they were chosen to host the tournament over a decade ago. As a result, they no longer needed to go through the rigorous qualifying process.
On the other hand, their three Group A opponents – the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador – had to earn their place in the finals the usual way.
Read on below SBOTOP tells the tale of how all four Group A teams made their way to World Cup 2022.
Qatar
Qatar’s debut appearance in the World Cup is 12 years in the making. Their bid to host World Cup 2022 won in 2010, beating four other contenders in Australia, South Korea, Japan and the United States. As a result, they were set to become the first Arab state to host the World Cup.
FIFA’s awarding of the World Cup to Qatar was met with much controversy, as allegations of bribery emerged. There were also concerns about the temperature during the tournament given Qatar’s extreme heat in the summer, which is why the tournament was moved to December.
But despite these controversies, Qatar was able to keep the World Cup, and they are set to play in football’s premier tournament for the first time.
In lieu of qualifying games, Qatar have played in several friendlies and tournaments to prepare for the World Cup. They won the Asian Cup for the first time in their history in 2019, beating Japan 3-1 in the final.
They were also guest nations in the 2019 Copa America as well as the 2021 Gold Cup. After losing two of three games in the Copa America, they reached the semi-finals of the Gold Cup, narrowly losing 1-0 to eventual champions, the United States. Qatar’s Almoez Ali was the tournament’s top scorer with four goals.
Senegal
Senegal had a strong campaign in the group stage of CAF World Cup qualifying. The Lions of Teranga went undefeated with five wins in six games in a group that included Togo, Namibia, and Congo as they scored 15 goals and conceded just four.
Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored in each of their first three group games, which were all comfortable wins, but didn’t score again in the last three. Famara Diedhiou and Ismaila Sarr scored three of Senegal’s six goals in those three games to secure top spot.
Senegal then drew Egypt in the World Cup play-offs, a rematch of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final which the Lions of Teranga won on penalties.
After Egypt won the first leg 1-0, Senegal won the second leg by the same scoreline to send the tie into penalties once again. And just like in the AFCON final, Senegal emerged victorious, with Mane scoring the decisive penalty.
Ecuador
Ecuador were the big surprise in South American qualifying. La Tri won three of their first four qualifying matches and didn’t look back as they grabbed the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot ahead of star-studded sides Colombia and Chile.
While lacking in star talent compared to their other South American neighbours, the Ecuadorians were impressively organised by coach Gustavo Alfaro. They conceded just 19 goals in qualifying – tied for the third-best defensive record – while Michael Estrada led the team with six goals.
Despite failing to win their last four games, Ecuador did enough to stay ahead of Peru, who ended up losing to Australia in the inter-continental play-off.
La Tri drew three of their last four games – they held Peru to a 1-1 draw in their crucial clash and also forced 1-1 stalemates at home against the top two, Brazil and Argentina – to secure fourth spot and their fourth World Cup berth.
Netherlands
The World Cup 2022 odds have the Netherlands as the big favourite to win Group A, and with good reason. The Oranje had a strong qualifying campaign as they won UEFA Group G with seven wins, two draws, and just one loss.
Frank de Boer was in charge for the first three games of qualifying, but he stepped down after a disappointing Euro 2020 and was replaced by Louis van Gaal.
The Dutch went undefeated in the last seven qualifying games under van Gaal (five wins, two draws) while scoring 21 goals as they topped Group B, two points ahead of Turkey. Memphis Depay finished as the co-leading scorer in qualifying with 12 goals. Depay has continued his fine goalscoring form for his country in the UEFA Nations League, and will be keen to create some World Cup 2022 highlights in Qatar.
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