Teams

Hosts Qatar are taking part in their first ever World Cup, though they still have had quite a few competitive matches in recent years, and they should not be a side to be underestimated. In qualifying for the AFC Cup, they won 7 of their 8 games to top their group and qualify for the tournament this coming January, and also made it to the semi finals of the Gold Cup last summer before coming third in the Arab Cup last winter, but their greatest result would have been winning the Asian Cup in 2019, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final. They are a side who even featured in the Copa America in the same year, gaining a point with a 2-2 draw against Paraguay before being defeated by Colombia and Argentina.