Xuenou > Featured > Qatar had stern FIFA warning over squad – then fielded XI with six foreign stars
Qatar had stern FIFA warning over squad – then fielded XI with six foreign stars
Qatar had stern FIFA warning over squad - then fielded XI with six foreign stars,World Cup hosts Qatar received a stern warning over their squad selection in the build-up to the final tournament - having 'contradicting the spirit of a national team' in another sport

Qatar had stern FIFA warning over squad – then fielded XI with six foreign stars

Qatar, who are the smallest host in World Cup history, received a stern warning in the build-up to the tournament following the 'absurdity' of the World Men's Handball Championship.

Qatar had utilised films naturalisation laws to field players born in Spain, Montenegro, and France among others with only four of their 17 squad players for the 2015 tournament native to Qatar.

Then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter was quick to grow concerned with seven-years to go until their showpiece football tournament, which gave Qatar two years to start naturalising players.

READ MORE: Sven-Goran Eriksson admits he 'probably wasn't prepared' for size of England WAGs issue

Blatter said in an issue of FIFA Weekly at the time: "The nation of 2.2 million faces the huge challenge of forming a competitive national football team by 2022.

"However, this cannot be achieved by quickly naturalising players."

Blatter added that the Handball side that reached the final at the World Cup contradicted the spirit of a national team, with the international handball federation allowing players to play for more than one nation.

What do you think of Qatar hosting the World Cup? Tell us in the comments section below.

Felix Sanchez, Manager of Qatar celebrate with Abdelaziz Hatim, Hasan Al Haydos and Saad Al Sheeb of Qatar following their sides victory in the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar at Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 01, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Felix Sanchez, who led Qatar to Asian Cup glory in 2019 has 16 players born in the country in his current squad (Image: Getty Images)

And said: "The fact that sport builds social bridges and brings cultures together cannot be stressed often enough.

"However, what happened at this year's men's world handball championship in Qatar stretched this notion to the point of absurdity."

FIFA rules state that players have to have been born in a country they represent or have parents or grandparents that were born there – with separate naturalisation rules of at least five years living there after the age of 18.

DOHA, QATAR - JUNE 20: (EDITORS NOTE: This photograph was taken using a drone) An aerial view of Lusail Stadium at sunrise on June 20, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. The 80,000-seat stadium, designed by Foster + Partners studio, will host the final game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November.
The 2022 Qatar World Cup runs from November 20 until December 18 (Image: Getty Images)

Following Blatter's expression of concern, Qatar then fielded a side in a 2015 friendly against Algeria with six foreign-born players just a month later.

General Secretary of the Qatar Football Association told BBC Sport in response: "I believe we are in a development phase of the national team right now.

"We have been through an interesting time in the last year and a half when we've seen some changes within the national team."

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - MAY 30: FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter talks to the press during the FIFA Post Congress Week Press Conference at the Home of FIFA on May 30, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently said that the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar was a mistake (Image: Getty Images)

Seven years on from the controversy, Spanish Qatar boss Felix Sanchez named his 26-man squad for the tournament, who all play in the Qatar Stars League.

Of the 26, 16 were born in Qatar, with two from Iraq and Sudan and others born in Portugal, Egypt, Bahrain, Ghana, France and Algeria.

According to Podcastinfinito, 137 players will be representing countries in which they were not born at the 2022 World Cup, including 14 of the 26-man Morocco squad, 12 of the Tunisia side and 12 of the Senegal selection.

READ NEXT:

  • Glamorous World Cup fans face jail in Qatar if they show shoulders or midriffs in skimpy outfits

  • Man Utd's Antony celebrates World Cup call-up for Brazil by splashing out on new Ferrari

  • Reporter posts jarring 'guidance' Qatar officials have given World Cup workers