Resource-rich Qatar has been criticized for spending its way into soccer legitimacy, pumping billions into stadium and infrastructure projects despite human rights complaints, and supporting an academy that attracts young players from around the world.
Only one host nation has failed to advance past the group stage of the World Cup, and Qatar will be trying to avoid becoming the second.
All eyes will be on Qatar -- the first Arab country to host a World Cup -- when "The Maroons" face Ecuador in the tournament opener on Nov. 20. The Qataris will also play Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A. Qatar then joined Group A in World Cup qualifying and it played 10 friendlies in Europe at the invitation of UEFA to get some more match experience. The results were mixed. They beat Luxembourg and Azerbaijan -- and drew with them -- but were overmatched in losses to Serbia and Portugal.
The team doesn't boast high-profile stars but the Qataris are a tight-knit bunch. The full squad that Sanchez has deployed recently all play in Qatar's domestic league, and many of them came out of the Aspire Academy in Doha.