Qatar will open the World Cup against Ecuador on November 20 before taking on Senegal and Netherlands on November 25 and 29 respectively in their remaining Group A fixtures.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar will round off their preparations for the global event with a friendly against Albania at Marbella Football Centre on Wednesday night. The Asian outfit will open the tournament against Ecuador on November 20 before taking on Senegal and Netherlands on November 25 and 29 respectively in their remaining Group A fixtures. Albania, meanwhile, have not qualified for the competition, with the Eagles instead looking ahead to next year’s Euro 2024 qualification matches. As hosts, Qatar automatically secured a place in the group stages of the World Cup, and it will be their first ever appearance in the competition.
Hoy juega Qatar🧉
🇶🇦El equipo locatario se sigue preparando para su Copa del Mundo.
⏰14:30
🇦🇱Albania
🗺San Pedro Alcantara, España
🏟Marbella Football Center #Qatar #QatarWorldCup2022 #WCC2022#MundialQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/4yecgxpmsJ— Mundial Qatar 2022 (@WCQatar_22) November 9, 2022
The Maroon are heading into the match on the back of a three-match winning streak, having gotten the better of Guatemala, Honduras and Panama. Qatar will certainly be the underdogs in Group A, consisting of the likes of Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal. Netherlands will be the favourites to win the group while Senegal are touted to be the dark horse of the tournament. Ecuador, on the other hand, have lost just one of their nine fixtures in 2022, and that includes hard fought draws against Brazil and Argentina.
Albania, meanwhile, have never qualified for the World Cup finals. The Red and Blacks put up a strong performance in the qualifiers, having recorded six wins from their 10 games, to collect 18 points and secure a third-place finish in Group I. The group-winners earn a direct qualification to the World Cup, while the second-placed side go through to the playoff round. Edoardo Reja’s side can certainly take positives from the qualification campaign.
Qatar boss Sancez is expected to opt for a strong starting lineup. Almoez Ali, who is the leading goal-scorer in the squad with 41 scalps to his name is expected to partner Hassan Al-Haydos up front. Boudiaf and Waad are likely to pull the strings in the midfield, with Assadalla and Hatem occupying the flanks. As for Albania, Redon Xhixha could spearhead the attack, with Skuka in support.
Qatar probable starting lineup: Al Sheeb, Hassan, Khoukhi, Salman, Kheder, Hatem, Boudiaf, Waad, Assadalla, Ali, Al-Haydos
Albania probable starting lineup: Shala, Turkaj, Gurishta, Hakaj, Janku, Kallaku, Abazaj, Deliu, Marku, Skuka, Xhinxha
Qatar
Opponents | Score |
Panama | 2-1 (W) |
Honduras | 1-0 (W) |
Guatemala | 2-0 (W) |
Chile | 2-2 (D) |
Canada | 0-2 (L) |
Albania
Opponents | Score |
Saudi Arabia | 1-1 (D) |
Iceland | 1-1 (D) |
Israel | 2-1 (L) |
Estonia | 0-0 (D) |
Israel | 1-2 (L) |
The International friendly match between Qatar and Albania will take place at Marbella Football Centre on Wednesday at 11:00 pm IST.
Qatar vs Albania | Key details |
Date | November 9 |
Venue | Marbella Football Centre |
Kickoff time in Qatar | 8:30 pm |
Kickoff time in Albania | 6:30 pm |
Unfortunately, there is no concrete information on live streaming or telecast for the international friendly match between Qatar and Albania. We will update the viewers as and when any information about the streaming of the match becomes available.