Netherlands 1-1 draw with Ecuador Ecuador confirmed Qatar’s exit from the 2022 World Cup, making the Maroons the first hosts to exit after just two games (and the first team eliminated from these finals).
Earlier on Friday, Felix Sanchez’s side looked vastly overwhelmed again as they lost 3-1 to Senegal – having been beaten 2-0 by Ecuador in the tournament opener.
But how does Qatar’s performance (so far – they could still finish with three points, if they stun the Dutch on Tuesday) compare to the performances of some of the other disappointing World Cup hosts over the years? year ?
The FFT dives into the history books to discover…
South Africa, 2010
South Africa became the first African nation to stage the World Cup when they hosted the 2010 edition – but unfortunately they also became the first nation to exit at the first hurdle, finishing third in their group and missing out. the last 16 on goal. difference with Mexico.
The Bafana Bafana were anything but child’s play, however, taking the lead against Mexico in the tournament opener thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala’s famous goal before drawing 1-1 – and enjoying a France side in disarray to beat them 2-1 in their last game.
In the end, a 3-0 loss to Uruguay did it for South Africa – who have not qualified for any of the four World Cups since.
United States, 1994
In 1994, soccer truly arrived in the United States as the country hosted the sport’s ultimate event (and last with 24 teams, before expanding to 32 at France 98).
It was only the United States’ third appearance at the World Cup in 12 editions, and they had exited in the group stage in each of their previous two – and it was almost three out of three at home…
Drawn in a group alongside Romania, Switzerland and Colombia, Bora Milutinović’s side have established themselves as one of the best third-placed teams with a record of wins, draws, losses – then lost 1-0 to eventual winners Brazil in the last 16.
Mexico, 1970
One of four countries to have hosted the World Cup twice, Mexico’s first home tournament was not memorable for their side’s performance.
Drawn into a group with the Soviet Union, Belgium and El Salvador, El Tri advanced to the second round (the quarter-finals as it was only a 16-team tournament) with relative ease drawing against Belgium and beating the Soviet Union and El Salvador 1-0 and 4-0 respectively – but they quickly unraveled in the round of 16.
Jose Luis Gonzales put the Mexicans ahead against Italy in Toluca – only for the Azzurri (who then lost to Brazil by the same scoreline in the final) to come back and win overall 4-1.
Switzerland, 1954
Switzerland reached the second round (quarter-final) and no further as they held the World Cup final – but they played their part in a bit of tournament history.
After beating Italy and losing to England in the group stage – which, oddly enough, saw each side only face two of the other three in the group – the hosts then beat Italy 4-1 in the play-off to qualify for the last eight.
And that’s where history was written… The Swiss came out on the wrong end of a 7-5 thriller against neighboring Austria; unsurprisingly, it remains the highest-scoring World Cup game of all time.
