2022 World Cup hosts Qatar have been invited by UEFA to join Group A of the European qualifiers in a bid to help them stay in shape for the upcoming global showpiece.
Qatar’s fixtures as the home team will be played in Europe to save the opponents of any long travel burdens, and having qualified automatically as hosts, their results will be inconsequential towards qualification.
“UEFA has invited the Qatar national team – the reigning champions of Asia – to prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2022,” said UEFA via a statement.
“Qatar will join Group A, alongside Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.”
Asian Cup 2019 champions Qatar will be up against any of the sides having a free matchday, meaning that they would have played 10 fixtures in total, at the end of the qualifiers.
Qatar currently sits 55th on the FIFA ratings, and the 2022 World Cup will be their maiden that appearance at the tournament.
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