Qatar welcomes first World Cup teams ahead of Sunday’s opener

Many of the 32 qualified teams for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 have arrived in Doha. While some like Belgium have flown out to their stop over bases before arriving in Qatar ahead of their respective first round matches. Japan, Australia, Tunisia and Switzerland are here and so are England and The Netherlands.

WITH the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 getting under way later this week, stars from across the globe have been jetting in to Doha.

Belgium, Germany and England flew out of their respective countries on Tuesday and were headed to Doha via different routes and stop overs.

Meanwhile, Tunisia and Switzerland teams and staff trouped into Doha on Monday night.

Hamad International Airport has seen a host of nations touch down, with Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad being among the first to land for the first global showpiece to be held in the Arab world.

“We believe we have a talented group, a strong team spirit, and one that is ready to compete,” Berhalter had said on arrival.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to represent the United States and appreciate all the amazing support from our fans in Qatar.”

The US begin their Group B campaign against Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday, November 21, before meetings with England and IR Iran.

Carlos Queiroz’s men – who are up against England in their opening game – were one of three teams pictured making their way through the airport on Monday, with Tunisia another side to arrive.

Jalel Kadri’s outfit are in a testing Group D with holders France, European championship semi-finalists Denmark, and Australia – another squad to have made their way to Qatar to begin acclimatising.

Japan, Senegal, and South Korea – plus the host nation – are also being put through their paces at their respective team camps around Doha, ahead of the opening fixture between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, November 21.

And shortly before midnight on Monday, Switzerland stepped onto the tarmac at Hamad International Airport, with Brazil, Serbia and Cameroon awaiting as their opponents in Group G.

(AFP) Members of Belgium’s national men’s and women’s football teams pose near the new Brussels Airlines Belgian Icon “Trident” plane, featuring both team’s nicknames – Red Devils and Belgian Red Flames – at the Zaventem airport, on Tuesday, before the team’s departure to Kuwait on their way to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

(AFP) Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji (centre R) arrives with his teammates at the Hamad International Airport in Doha on Monday, ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

(AFP) Belgium’s forward Romelu Lukaku is seen at the Zaventam airport, on Tuesday, upon the team’s departure for Kuwait on its way to the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar.