Qatar vs. Ecuador time, live stream, TV channel, lineups, odds for FIFA Qatar 2022 match

Amid the relative fanfare around the Netherlands and Senegal in Group A, Qatar and Ecuador will have designs on becoming surprise success stories of the 2022 FIFA World Cup when their campaigns, and the tournament as a whole, start at Al Bayt Stadium.

With Oranje ranked eighth in the world and the Lions of Teranga arriving as Africa Cup of Nations holders, a positive result on opening night holds particular potential to be crucial for these teams.

The tournament hosts are the group outsiders, and their first appearance at the World Cup comes against opponents who took part for the first time in 2002 and made a quarterfinal showing on their debut.

Keen to watch the action? Here's how to tune in, as well as the latest teams news and betting odds.

MORE: Follow the action live as Qatar host Ecuador in the opening game of WC 2022

Qatar vs. Ecuador live stream, TV channel

The 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium is around 22 miles north of Doha and has a retractable roof. It will also host games at the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals stage.

Qatar vs. Ecuador lineups

The main question for the hosts was whether wide-attacker Akram Afif will return up front, having missed the 1-0 win over Albania. He does indeed return, partnering with Almoez Ali.

Former Villarreal player Afif has scored 26 goals in 89 international appearances but was overlooked on that occasion in favour of Ahmed Alaaeldin, who has a contrasting record of two goals in 47 games for Qatar.

Attacking midfielder Hassan Al-Haydos has been selected to support the strike partnership above him, in what makes for a very attacking lineup from head coach Felix Sanchez. Also selected in midfield is Abdulaziz Hatim who gets the start over Ali Asad.

Qatar confirmed lineup (5-3-2, right to left): 1-Al Sheeb (GK) – 14-Ahmed, 3-Hassan, 16-Khoukhi, 15-Al Rawi, 2-Pedro Miguel – 6-Hatim, 12-Boudiaf, 10-Al-Haydos – 11-Afif, 19-Ali

Ecuador boss Gustavo Alfaro had options at multiple positions, but one player we all knew would start is Enner Valencia, who is in sensational form at the club level with Fenerbahce. Valencia can play up front or on the left flank, and today he's deployed alongside Michael Estrada at the top of a 4-4-2.

In support of Valencia, Romario Ibarra and Gonzalo Plata are the wide options in midfield, while Jeremy Sarmiento can provide energy off the bench.

At the defensive midfield position, Alfaro had his biggest call between Jhegson Mendez and Carlos Gruezo, and it's Mendez who gets the call with neither player in particularly great form. At the back, Piero Hincapie has 21 caps already at just 20 years old, and has swiftly become a regular starter. His partner is Felix Torres of Liga MX side Santos Laguna, chosen over Robert Arboleda, Xavier Arreaga and Jackson Porozo.

Ecuador confirmed lineup (4-4-2, right to left): 1. Galindez (GK) — 17. A. Preciado, 3. Hincapie, 2. F. Torres, 7. Estupinan — 19. Plata, 20. Mendez, 23. Caicedo, 10. Ibarra — 13. Valencia, 11. Estrada.

MORE: Qatar vs Ecuador prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets

Qatar vs. Ecuador odds, prediction

Qatar have produced a promising run of results in the build-up to the tournament without facing opponents as strong as Ecuador, whose current sequence of six successive clean sheets makes it seem unlikely that there will be a flurry of goals in the curtain-raiser.

Ecuador are ranked six places above Qatar in 44th. Their last three matches have delivered goalless encounters with Iraq, Japan and Saudi Arabia, and they held Brazil and Argentina to 1-1 draws earlier in 2022.

• Pick: Under 2.5 goals (10/21)
• Prediction: Qatar 0-1 Ecuador