Qatar dream of history as Canada stand in the way
Four years ago, Qatar and Canada left the World Cup with identical scars. They were the only two teams in Qatar 2022 to lose all three group matches, exiting without a single point between them.
Tonight in Vancouver, one of them could finally write a different chapter.
Neither nation has ever won a FIFA World Cup match, and with Group B delicately balanced after both opening games ended in 1-1 draws, victory would represent far more than a line in the record books. It could prove to be the decisive step towards the knockout stages.
Someone who only glanced at the scores from matchday one might assume Qatar and Canada produced similar performances. The reality, however, could hardly have been more different.
Canada played with intensity and attacking ambition against Bosnia and Herzegovina, dominating large spells despite falling behind. Jesse Marsch’s side created chances in abundance and looked dangerous throughout, with only wasteful finishing denying them three points.
Qatar’s draw with Switzerland told another story. Julen Lopetegui’s men spent much of the afternoon under pressure, creating few meaningful opportunities and relying heavily on goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada and a determined defensive effort to keep themselves alive. Their reward came in stoppage time when Boualem Khoukhi’s pressure forced Swiss defender Miro Muheim into an own goal that secured a historic first World Cup point.
Yet the identity of the scorer perhaps highlighted Qatar’s biggest concern. The equaliser originated from a centre-back rather than a striker.
Questions in attack
Qatar’s difficulties in front of goal remain impossible to ignore.
Edmilson Junior had moments where a player in his best Al-Duhail form might have made the difference, but in Santa Clara he appeared a shadow of the attacker who has lit up domestic football. Yusuf Abdurisag struggled to make an impact, while Akram Afif once again cut a frustrated figure, frequently dropping deep in search of possession rather than receiving the ball in dangerous areas.
The biggest question surrounds Almoez Ali. With Qatar struggling to threaten, the absence of the country’s all-time leading scorer was difficult to overlook. In a game where little was being created, there seemed little to lose by introducing a player with such pedigree. Perhaps, he did not fit Lopetegui’s game plan. Or maybe, Almoez’s red card against Ireland in the pre-tournament friendly for a reckless action off the ball, remains fresh in the coach’s mind.
The problems, however, run deeper than the front line. Qatar’s midfield lacks the balance required to manage transitions and dictate tempo, forcing Afif to retreat into deeper positions and leaving the attack isolated. It is an issue that cannot be solved overnight, nor even during the tournament itself, but one that reflects broader realities concerning the current talent pipeline.
The introduction of Karim Boudiaf after the hour mark against Switzerland brought some composure and even a rare attempt from distance. Yet at 35, the veteran is no longer capable of carrying the burden for prolonged periods.
Defensively, changes may also be considered. Both Ayoub Aloui and Jassem Gaber endured uncomfortable moments against Switzerland, with Gaber fortunate to avoid further trouble after collecting an early yellow card.
Pressure no longer weighs heavily
There is one major difference between this team and the side that froze under the weight of expectation against Ecuador in 2022.
The pressure appears gone.
Qatar arrived in North America this summer with ambition, but without the suffocating burden that accompanied their home World Cup debut. This group has repeatedly shown that spirit and adaptability can compensate for technical shortcomings. Their triumph at the 2023 Asian Cup was built on resilience and tactical flexibility, while their qualification campaign reached its defining moment when they rose from a poor run of form to overcome the UAE and secure their place in North America.
Lopetegui insists his players are embracing the occasion rather than fearing it.
“The word pressure is not in our mind,” the Spaniard said ahead of the match. “When you follow one dream, you’re never under pressure. You are with big ambition and big excitement because we achieved one thing that never happened in the history of Qatar, which was to stay here.”
A different kind of challenge
Canada, meanwhile, represent a different threat altogether.
Unlike Switzerland, who controlled possession but perhaps underestimated Qatar after taking the lead, the Canadians play with energy and aggression. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is available once more, although he is not guaranteed to start. Even without Davies, Canada are ahead of Qatar on paper in terms of the talent on the pitch.
From a purely analytical perspective, Qatar’s attacking shortcomings make victory difficult to envision. Canada create chances in volume and possess considerably greater pace and athleticism, and could do what Switzerland failed by actually breaking down the Qatari defence.
But Lopetegui’s side have made a habit of defying expectations before. They did so when few believed they would qualify for this World Cup. They did so when they lifted back-to-back Asian Cups. And they did so five days ago, refusing to surrender against Switzerland before snatching a point in stoppage time.
History beckons for both nations. Can Qatar be the one to grab the opportunity?
