Given the level of focus on the Qatari regime, its attitudes toward human rights, immigrant workers, the LGBTQ community — and beer — the World Cup host's soccer team has slipped under the radar. Qatar opens the tournament against Ecuador on Sunday, but even the buildup to that match has been overshadowed by Friday's announcement that the sale of beer will be banned inside the stadium grounds. The World Cup is a source of immense national pride for Qatar in its attempt to raise its profile on the global stage and drive toward modernization. But what about the team? "The best thing that can happen is to focus on football, keep calm and avoid the noise and rumors," Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said Saturday. "Obviously we don't like it when people criticize our country. We managed to have great preparation, kept calm and that's how we planned this." Qatar has never before appeared in a World Cup and faces a major challenge just to emerge from Group A, which also includes Senegal and the Net