The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar finally kicks off on Sunday with the hosts opening the tournament against Ecuador. Qatar are the second-lowest ranked team in the competition, but history suggests that the local supporters will have something to cheer about on Sunday.
The host nation has never lost its opening game at the World Cup and bookmaker 10bet has the odds at 1.62 for the streak to continue in Qatar. Meanwhile, the odds are at 2.40 for Ecuador to win on Sunday.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: November 19th, 9:00 A.M. (EST)
There’s even a long history of winning in the hosts’ opener. Since 2006, when the current format of hosts being part of the tournament’s first game was adopted, South Africa in 2010 is the only nation not to win its first game.
There have been plenty of doubts regarding Qatar’s quality, but the team’s recent results include a draw with Chile and the U.S. needed a late goal to end Qatar’s run in the semifinals at the CONCACAF Gold Cup last year. The Qataris were also part of the 2019 Copa America, drawing 2-2 with Paraguay before suffering narrow defeats against Colombia and Argentina with a combined score of 3-0.
Felix Sanchez’s men have proved that they can be competitive even on the biggest stage and this shouldn’t be a walk in the park for Ecuador.
El Tri aren’t as strong as the big boys in South America, but they have a solid record at the World Cup and are a youthful side with plenty of promise. This is the fourth World Cup appearance for Ecuador and the team has previously posted four wins, one draw and five losses in 10 games.
Enner Valencia is clearly the biggest goal threat on the team with the veteran striker having netted 35 times for his nation, while the rest of the group has managed 39 goals combined. However, the Fenerbahce man has scored only once for the country in 2022, and the team is currently struggling offensively as there have been only two goals scored in the last six games.
Qatar’s chances of success seem high if they can cut off the supply line to Valencia. They will try to play a tight defensive game and hope that somebody from the trio of Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali pops up with the game-winning goal. Ali seems the likeliest hero with him having scored at both the Copa America and the Gold Cup and his scoring record for Qatar is an impressive 42 goals in 85 outings.
