The 2022 FIFA World Cup will start on Nov. 20 in Qatar as multiple silver medalists, the Netherlands, are looking to break their tournament jinx.
Group A consists of the host nation Qatar and includes Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands.
The Dutch qualified for the finals after winning the World Cup qualification — UEFA Group G where they battled Türkiye, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, and Gibraltar.
The Netherlands are seen as the favorites of the group as their squad includes several stars, including Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, and midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
It will be the first World Cup for captain van Dijk as the Dutch failed to qualify for the 2018 edition.
The national team will be without two midfielders, Ryan Gravenberch and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Bayern Munich’s Gravenberch has been left off the squad and Roma’s Wijnaldum has been ruled out with a tibia fracture.
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven youngster Xavi Simons will make his tournament debut in Qatar as the 19-year-old was among those called up for national duty.
The Netherlands have never won football’s top prize, having lost in the final on three occasions — 1974, 1978, and 2010.
In their last World Cup final, Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 with an extra-time goal scored by Andres Iniesta. The former Barcelona midfielder brought the first World Cup title to Spain. The Netherlands returned home with another silver medal.
The Dutch will begin their Qatar 2022 campaign on Nov. 21 against Senegal.
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Andries Noppert (Heerenveen), and Remko Pasveer (Ajax).
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jurrien Timber (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Antwerp), Luuk de Jong (PSV Eindhoven), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas)
Hosts Qatar set for World Cup debut
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, automatically qualified for the finals.
It will be the Gulf country’s first World Cup appearance and the first time an Arab nation will host a top football tournament.
Coached by Spanish national Felix Sanchez, Qatar will seek a miracle in Group A.
The main threats are Al-Duhail forward Almoez Ali and Al-Sadd winger Akram Afif.
Ali, 26, scored 39 goals in 82 international appearances while 25-year-old Afif scored 24 goals in 83 matches for Qatar.
Qatar are yet to announce their World Cup squad.
Ecuador set to make 4th WC appearance
A team from South America, Ecuador played in three World Cup finals and are set to make their fourth World Cup appearance.
They first played in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
But Ecuador’s best performance was in Germany in 2006. The South American team reached the final 16 and were eliminated by England.
Ecuador last played in the 2014 World Cup but were eliminated in the group stage.
The team booked a place in Qatar, finishing the CONMEBOL qualifying group in the fourth spot.
Enner Valencia is Ecuador’s main goal threat. The Fenerbahce forward scored 35 goals in 74 international caps and is Ecuador’s all-time top scorer.
Brighton duo Moises Caicedo and Pervis Estupinan, and Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie are the other Ecuadoran stars.
Mane-led Senegal to play their 3rd WC
Senegal had historic success at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), winning the title for the first time in February.
Led by Bayern Munich winger Sadio Mane, the Lions of Teranga will be looking to advance to their furthest in Qatar 2022.
In March, Senegal bagged their Qatar ticket after eliminating Egypt in the African qualifiers on penalties.
The national team previously played in two World Cups, the 2002 and 2018 editions.
In 2002, Türkiye eliminated Senegal 1-0 in the quarterfinals as Turkish forward Ilhan Mansiz scored the winning goal in extra time. Türkiye won on the golden goal rule to advance.
In Russia 2018, Senegal were eliminated in the group stage.
In addition to Mane, Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Kalidou Koulibaly are other big names for Senegal.
Senegal squad
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea), Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Seny Dieng (Queens Park Rangers).
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), Abdou Diallo (RB Leipzig), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiacos), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Ismail Jakobs (Monaco), Fode Ballo Toure (AC Milan), and Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis).
Midfielders: Pape Gueye (Olympique Marseille), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Idrissa Gueye (Everton) Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Moustapha Name (Pafos FC), and Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United).
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Ismaila Sarr (Watford), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Boulaye Dia (Salernitana), Bamba Dieng (Olympique Marseille), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor).
Group A fixtures
Nov. 20
Qatar-Ecuador at 1600GMT
Nov. 21
Senegal-the Netherlands at 1600GMT
Nov. 25
Qatar-Senegal at 1300GMT
The Netherlands-Ecuador at 1600GMT
Nov. 29
The Netherlands-Qatar at 1500GMT
Ecuador-Senegal at 1500GMT
Source: Anadolu Agency