Expert page

Less than three weeks until the start of the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the USA it's time for preparations to be in the best possible position at the start of the tournament. The hosts are clear favorites for the win in this match. Qatar qualified for their first World Cup but are certainly among the underdogs. They will play their final friendlies in Ireland and against El Salvador before their opening match against Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Ireland failed to reach the finals this year. As group runners-up, they competed in the play-offs for the last remaining spots. Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the Czech Republic, they were eliminated in the semi-finals. The score was 2-2 after 90 minutes, and extra time also failed to produce a winner. The Irish then faltered from the penalty spot, missing their chance. The two nations have faced each other twice in friendly matches. The game in Debrecen, Hungary, ended in a 1-1 draw, and just six months later, Ireland cruised to a 4-0 victory in Dublin.