Qatar and Bangladesh have agreed to play their AFC first phase Group E match in Doha on FRI 04 DEC 2020. It will be the AFC’s only Men’s World Cup qualifying match to be played in 2020.

The match was originally scheduled for TUE 31 MAR 2020, but in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, all AFC matches were postponed. The remaining four matchdays of the AFC first group phase are due to be made up in MAR-JUN 2021. However, since Qatar’s and Bangladesh’s squads are primarily made up of players in the domestic leagues, the sides agreed to hold the match outside of a FIFA international break.

Qatar lead Group E on thirteen points, one ahead of Oman. Although Qatar qualify automatically for the 2022 Men’s World Cup as the host nation, they are still playing for a place at the 2023 Men’s Asian Cup. Bangladesh are last in the group and must win to remain in contention for the Men’s World Cup.