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Almoez Ali (photo) is one of the top players in the Qatari selection
Photo: Kamran Jebreili / dpa
The national soccer team of Qatar will compete as visiting team in the European World Cup qualification.
This is the result of negotiations between the European Football Union Uefa and the Asian continental association AFC, wrote the British Internet newspaper »The Independent«.
In the meantime, Uefa has confirmed the plan.
The team wants to prepare better for the World Cup in their own country in autumn 2022 through the international matches against European national teams.
As the host, Qatar is automatically qualified for the home World Cup.
The plan provides for the golfing nation to play as a guest in group A and play friendly matches against the team that would have no play on a certain match day.
Ireland, European champions Portugal, Luxembourg, Serbia and Azerbaijan are represented in group A.
On March 24th, Qatar is set to face Luxembourg in its first game, the venue is still to be determined.
Qatar was already a visiting team in South America
The Qatar games would all be played in Europe, but would not count towards the qualification process and would be treated as friendlies.
Qatar's selection had already participated in the Copa America in 2019 and the country is to be invited again in 2021.
The European qualification starts next March, the last matchday will take place in November.
Only the ten group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, the runners-up have to go to the play-offs.
The German national team will face Romania, EM quarter-finalist Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia and Liechtenstein in qualifying in Group J, as the draw on Monday evening in Zurich revealed.
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jan / Reuters / dpa