EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GROUP A
HOSTS Qatar will kick off the 2022 World Cup against Ecuador on 20 November
Netherlands return to the tournament after failing to reach Russia 2018
Senegal will hope to emulate their run to the quarter-finals in 2022
Group A is headed up by the host nation and brings together teams from four continents. Netherlands are returning to the World Cup after failing to qualify for the tournament in 2018, having finished in third place in 2014 and as runners-up in 2010.
Ecuador are contesting their fourth World Cup, while Senegal are competing for the second consecutive tournament after beating Egypt in a dramatic penalty shootout in qualifying. Aliou Cisse’s side will be looking to repeat their best-ever showing in 2002, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Qatar, meanwhile, are competing in their first ever World Cup.
Group A - Teams QATAR
Players to watch: Almoez Ali (centre forward), Akram Afif (forward)
Coach: Felix Sanchez
How they got there: Qualified as host nation
Record in World Cup: Making their debut in 2022
ECUADOR
Players to watch: Enner Valencia (forward), Moises Caicedo (midfielder), Piero
Hincapie (defender)
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro
How they got there: Finished fourth in South American section
Record in World Cup: 2002 (group stage), 2006 (last 16), 2014 (group stage)
Moises Caicedo: We want the whole world to be talking about Ecuador
SENEGAL
Players to watch: Edouard Mendy (goalkeeper), Sadio
Mane (forward), Kalidou Koulibaly (defender)
Coach: Aliou Cisse
How they got there: Finished first in Africa’s Group H then overcame Egypt on penalties in the knockout stage after a 1-1 draw over two legs.
Record in World Cup: 2002 (quarter-finals), 2018 (group stage)
Aliou Cisse: Senegal will leave our mark at this World Cup
NETHERLANDS
Players to watch: Virgil van Dijk (defender), Frenkie de Jong (midfielder), Memphis Depay (forward)
Coach: Louis van Gaal
How they got there: Finished first in Europe’s Group G
Record in World Cup: 1934 (group stage), 1938 (last 16), 1974 (runners-up), 1978 (runners-up), 1990 (last 16), 1994 (quarter-finals), 1998 (semi-finals), 2006 (last 16), 2010 (runners-up), 2014 (third place)
Group A - Fixtures
Qatar v Ecuador
Date: 20th November Time: 1900 (Doha time) Stadium: Al Bayt Head-to-head: One victory for Qatar, one victory for Ecuador, one draw
Senegal v Netherlands
Date: 21st November Time: 1900 (Doha time) Stadium: Al-Thumama Head-to-head: Never played each other before
Qatar v Senegal
Date: 25th November Time: 1600 (Doha time) Stadium: Al Thumama Head-to-head: Never played each other before
Netherlands v Ecuador
Date: 25 November
Time: 1900 (Doha time)
Stadium: Khalifa International
Head-to-head: One victory for Netherlands, one draw
Netherlands v Qatar
Date: 29th November Time: 1800 (Doha time) Stadium: Al Bayt Head-to-head: Never played each other before
Ecuador v Senegal
Date: 29th November Time: 1800 (Doha time) Stadium: Khalifa International Head-to-head: Two victories for Senegal.