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Qatar loses on World Cup field, makes gains on global stage

FILE - Actors perform during the opening ceremony before the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) FILE - Qatar's Mohammed Muntari reacts after missing a chance to score during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File) FILE - Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, right, shakes hands with FIFA President Giovanni Infantino, left, prior the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Qatar became the first host nation in World Cup history to lose the opening match, and then only the second host to be eliminated from the group stage. South Africa in 2010 was the first host nation to be eliminated in group stage but still had a chance to advance in its third and final group match. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File) FILE - Qatar's head coach Felix Sanchez gestures during the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor ,Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File) FILE - Senegal players in background celebrate their 3-1 win as Qatar players show their disappointment, after the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Senegal, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File) FILE - Qatar fans leave the stadium after Senegal's Bamba Dieng scored a goal during the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Senegal, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) FILE - People leaving before the final whistle during the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File) FILE - Qatar's Hassan Al-Haydos, left, and Akram Afif reacts after the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Senegal, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Senegal won 3-1. Qatar became the first host nation in World Cup history to lose the opening match, and then only the second host to be eliminated from the group stage. South Africa in 2010 was the first host nation to be eliminated in group stage but still had a chance to advance in its third and final group match. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File) FILE - Qatar's Mohammed Muntari, left, and Qatar's goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham look on after the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Senegal, at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. Senegal won 3-1. Qatar became the first host nation in World Cup history to lose the opening match, and then only the second host to be eliminated from the group stage. South Africa in 2010 was the first host nation to be eliminated in group stage but still had a chance to advance in its third and final group match. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)
Qatar loses on World Cup field, makes gains on global stage