Qatar is the first host to lose the opening game of the Cup; see list

Qatar’s 2-0 defeat by Ecuador on Sunday (20) was the first by a host country in the debut in the history of the World Cup.

Until then, there were 15 wins for the host country and seven draws. In 2002, the first and only World Cup was held with two hosts — South Korea and Japan.

The South Koreans did their part and beat Poland 2-0. Japan, in turn, was tied 2-2 with Belgium.

Mexico, which hosted the Cup in 1970 and 1986, was the team that most often was present in the host’s debut game. In addition to the two as the host country, it participated in the first match against the owners of the house in the World Cups of 1950, 1958 and 2010. And it only won one, in 1986.

Brazil played the opening match twice, both as hosts: in 1950, when they beat the Mexican national team by 4-0, in the first official game at the Maracanã stadium, and in 2014, defeating Croatia by 3-1, in Neo Chemistry Arena, in Itaquera.

Despite the fact that Qatar’s defeat was the first for the hosts, history has a big upset for the home team. In 1982, the Spanish team couldn’t get past the 1-1 draw with Honduras, who took the lead and held on to victory until halfway through the second half, when the Spaniards managed to equalize the score with a penalty goal.

See the hosts’ debuts at the Worlds

2022 World Cup – Qatar

Qatar 0 x 2 Ecuador

2018 World Cup – Russia

Russia 5-0 Saudi Arabia

2014 World Cup – Brazil

Brazil 3 x 1 Croatia

2010 World Cup – South Africa

South Africa 1 x 1 Mexico

2006 World Cup – Germany

Germany 4 x 2 Costa Rica

2002 World Cup – Japan and South Korea

South Korea 2-0 Poland
Japan 2 v 2 Belgium

1998 World Cup – France

France 3 x 0 South Africa

1994 World Cup – USA

USA 1 v 1 Switzerland

1990 World Cup – Italy

Italy 1-0 Austria

1986 World Cup – Mexico

Mexico 2 x 1 Belgium

1982 World Cup – Spain

Spain 1 x 1 Honduras

1978 World Cup – Argentina

Argentina 2 x 1 Hungary

1974 World Cup – Germany

Germany 1 x 0 Chile

1970 World Cup – Mexico

Mexico 0 x 0 Soviet Union

1966 World Cup – England

England 0 x 0 Uruguay

1962 World Cup – Chile

Chile 3 x 1 Switzerland

1958 World Cup – Sweden

Sweden 3 x 0 Mexico

1954 World Cup – Switzerland

Switzerland 2 v 1 Italy

1950 World Cup – Brazil

Brazil 4 x 0 Mexico

1938 World Cup – France

France 3 x 1 Belgium

1934 World Cup – Italy

Italy 7 x 1 USA

1930 World Cup – Uruguay

Uruguay 1 x 0 Peru