Qatar fail to qualify for 2018 World Cup, bringing to light eye-opening fact

The fact was brought to light earlier today after Qatar failed to keep their 2018 World Cup hopes alive by slipping to a 3-1 defeat against Syria.

Qatar are currently bottom of Group A in the AFC World Cup qualifiers, with their last match coming at home to China, who need a mini-miracle to qualify on September 5.

Japan and Iran have already booked safe passage to Russia 2018, while Syria are still battling for the right to take part in their first ever World Cup. If they can overcome Iran next week they will have a strong chance of automatic qualification, depending on the result of Uzbekistan's match against South Korea.

Qatar will host the 2022 tournament despite widespread disapproval around the world, and are on course to complete all of their stadiums on time.

They recently announced designs for the Al Thumama stadium, their sixth proposed venue for the competion. 

Luckily for them, though, being rubbish doesn't affect their free ride to 2022... 

In Other News... on FourFourTwo.com

Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in Features
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.
Who are the contenders for the Ballon d'Or Féminin?
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
Luiz Diaz of Colombia celebrates with James Rodriguez of Colombia after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha.
How to watch Colombia vs Paraguay: Live streams for World Cup qualifier
Uruguay's Argentine head coach Marcelo Bielsa (R) gives instructions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on March 21, 2025.
How to watch Bolivia vs Uruguay: Live streams for Conmebol World Cup qualifying
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - MARCH 20, 2025: Vinicius Junior of Brazil in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha.
How to watch Argentina vs Brazil: Live streams for blockbuster World Cup qualifier