Guests are traditionally honored and indulged in Arab culture and at this month’s Concacaf Gold Cup, the Qatari national team hasn’t hesitated to make itself at home. Competing as an invitee to the biennial regional championship, the Maroon have been playing like they own the place, storming into the semifinals with a 3-0-1 record and a tournament-high 12 goals.
Qatar has added a bit of mystery and intrigue to an event that many of the continent’s best players are missing because of injury, timing and coaches with competing priorities. But now it’s threatening to overstay its welcome.