Qatar seek redemption vs. Swiss after woeful debut
SANTA CLARA, California: Qatar take on Switzerland in their World Cup opener on Saturday eager to shake off the pressure of expectation, coming in as back-to-back Asian champions with an urgent need to make amends for a dismal debut as hosts of the 2022 tournament.
Qatar’s 2022 unraveling was unprecedented, losing all three matches and scoring once, but after rebounding to defend their Asian Cup title and qualifying easily for this World Cup, they have unfinished business and need a strong showing to earn any credibility on the global stage.
They might have hoped for a more gentle introduction, with the resurgent Swiss unbeaten in competitive matches since late 2024 following an impressive Euros run, and keen to make a mark in their sixth successive World Cup.
“We have to accept the fact that we will play against Switzerland first, and we have to be ready to do our best against a very strong team,” Qatar’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui said.
