From its debut match in 1970 until it participates in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, here is a look at Qatar football and the national squad.
The 20th of November will be a watershed moment in Qatari football. Its men’s football team will make their World Cup debut as hosts, playing against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium to kick off the 2022 World Cup.
In recent years, the Maroons have been on a roll.
Here is a chronology of the team’s and the sport’s journey, as well as how it has positioned itself in the Asian football pyramid:
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) is founded in 1960. It becomes an official FIFA member three years later.
1970 – The national squad loses 2-1 to Bahrain in their first official match in the biannual Gulf Cup.
The Qatar Football Association (QFA) establishes the Qatar Football League in 1972.
Qatar wins its first international match, defeating Oman 4-0 in the second group game of the Gulf Cup in 1974. Qatar comes in third place in the six-team event.
1975 – The Maroons compete in the Asian Cup qualifiers but do not advance to the competition.
1977- Qatar defeated Bahrain in their World Cup qualifying debut, but finished third and failed to advance from the group.
Qatar’s debut participation at the Asia Cup in 1980, was managed by former Barcelona and Brazil winger Evaristo.
1984 – The squad reaches the Gulf Cup final for the first time, but loses 4-3 on penalties to Iraq.
1992 – Qatar qualified for the Summer Olympics, where they defeated Egypt and drew with Colombia. The following year, the squad wins its first Gulf Cup, winning four of its five games.
2019 – Against all odds, Qatar wins the Asian Cup for the first time. Qatar won the championship after defeating South Korea in the quarter-finals and four-time champions Japan in the final. They only allow one goal the whole tournament. The following year, Qatar was selected to compete in the Copa America, where it finished bottom of the group after a 2-2 tie with Paraguay.
2021 – The squad gets invited to compete in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where it advances to the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to hosts USA.