Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui with his players.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar are confident of continuing their encouraging start at the World Cup as they face co-hosts Canada in an intriguing Group B clash in Vancouver.
The match kicks off at BC Place Vancouver Stadium early Friday (1am Qatar time), with Switzerland taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina three hours earlier in Los Angeles in the other group fixture.
With all four teams locked on one point and identical goal records after the opening round, Group B remains wide open.
Canada, ranked 32nd in the FIFA rankings, will start as favourites in front of their home fans, but Qatar, currently 49th, head into the contest buoyed by the character they showed in rescuing a dramatic draw against group favourites Switzerland.
Both sides earned their first-ever World Cup points through late equalisers and are now chasing a landmark first victory on football’s biggest stage and boost their chances of a spot in the knockout stage.
Al Annabi looked destined for another World Cup defeat after Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty gave Switzerland the lead in California. The Swiss dominated proceedings forcing Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada into a string of vital saves.
Qatar stayed disciplined and resilient before Boualem Khoukhi’s late pressure forced Miro Muheim into a stoppage-time own goal, snatching a precious point and breathing fresh belief into Julen Lopetegui’s side.
“The next match will be the most difficult because it is against Canada, one of the host countries, and they will be playing in front of their fans,” Lopetegui said.
Midfielder Karim Boudiaf echoed his coach's assessment, acknowledging both the challenge and the opportunity that await Al Annabi in Vancouver.
"We fully understand the importance of this match for us and know it will be an important stage in our tournament journey," Boudiaf said.
"We know very well that the match will not be easy at all. The Canada team has quality players and will be playing on their home soil and in front of their fans, which gives them extra motivation. But we also have great ambition and determination to deliver our best and achieve a positive result."
For striker Almoez Ali, Qatar’s all-time leading scorer, the result meant more than avoiding defeat.
“That match is behind us now, but the point we earned has given us great confidence and extra motivation to keep working and focus on what lies ahead,” he said.
Abunada, whose saves repeatedly frustrated the Swiss attack, believes Qatar have the quality and experience to continue competing against elite opposition.
“We are capable of delivering what satisfies expectations in this second participation in the World Cup, especially since many of the players have the experience and ability to play against big teams with high quality,” the goalkeeper said.
Qatar's Jassim Gaber trains with teammates ahead of the match against Canada.
Veteran defender Khoukhi also expects improvement.
“We have two very difficult matches ahead of us against Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and InshaAllah, we will be better than in the first match,” he said.
For Qatar, who left their home World Cup in 2022 without a point, the transformation has already begun. One point may not have changed perceptions overnight, but it has restored confidence and given them a genuine opportunity to push for a place in the knockout rounds.
Standing in their way are a Canadian side equally determined to seize control of the group.
The co-hosts drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto and will again enjoy strong backing from a passionate home crowd in Vancouver.
Coach Jesse Marsch’s side have made no secret of their ambitions.
“We want to top the group. The focus has never changed for us,” defender Joel Waterman said.
“It’s a big game to beat Qatar and then we’ve got to try and beat Switzerland as well. We’re going to try and pick up the six points and go on to the next round.”
Canada’s attacking threat is spearheaded by Jonathan David, the nation’s all-time leading scorer, while Cyle Larin announced his arrival with the equaliser in the opening match.
Much attention, however, remains on captain Alphonso Davies, whose availability is uncertain as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.
