2022 FIFA World Cup opener: Top things to look out for in today's match

Finally, the long wait for the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East is over. Qatar and Ecuador are all set to raise the curtain on the 2022 edition of football's biggest international tournament.

Here are the top things to look out for in today's match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

Qatar's Asian Cup star Almoez Ali

Almoez Ali has shown a penchant for performing well when it matters most. The 26-year-old striker was the top scorer at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Qatar participated as tournament guests, with four goals in five games. He was also his team's leading marksman at the 2019 Asian Cup, netting nine times in seven matches, reports Xinhua.

Ali, who was born in Sudan and moved to Qatar as a child, has yet to score in six international outings in 2022, but is likely to be key to his team's chances of a successful World Cup debut.

Gustavo Alfaro impact
Since replacing Jordi Cruyff as Ecuador's boss in August 2020, Gustavo Alfaro has transformed a promising but erratic squad into one of South America's most feared national teams.

An impressive World Cup qualifying campaign saw them finish fourth in the South American group, behind only Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, and above teams of the caliber of Chile, Peru and Paraguay.

And Alfaro's men appear to be peaking at the right time, going unbeaten in their past seven matches, a run that included victories over Nigeria and Cape Verde, as well as draws against Argentina, Mexico and Japan.

Ecuador's defence
Led by Bayer Leverkusen center-back Piero Hincapie and Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan, Ecuador boasts one of the tournament's most solid defences.

Ecuador conceded just 19 goals in 18 qualifiers and kept clean sheets in each of their past five games.

But, with only one goal in their past five outings, there are question marks over the team's attacking options.

Ecuadorian fans will be hoping that 33-year-old Fenerbahce forward Enner Valencia can carry his club form onto the international stage. Ecuador's all-time leading scorer has netted 13 goals in 12 league matches for the Turkish club so far this season.

FAQs:

1. How many teams are competing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
   Thirty-two. Qatar qualified automatically as the host, the other 31 teams came via qualifying rounds.
2. How many teams will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
   That number will increase to 48 teams in 2026, at the next World Cup, which will be held across Mexico, Canada and the United States.
3. In a group match, how many points can a team score?
   Three points are awarded to a team for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss.
4. Who are the favourites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup?
   According to bookmakers and analysts, Brazil, France, England and Spain are the top choices, followed by Argentina, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

(With agency inputs)