Brazil boss Tite embarks on Qatar World Cup mission

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil manager Tite has traveled to Qatar as part of the national team's preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup.

The 60-year-old, his assistant coach Cleber Xavier and other members of Brazil's backroom staff departed Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, bound for Doha.

The delegation will visit the team's hotel, their designated training ground and several World Cup stadiums while also planning logistics for the tournament, which will run from November 21 to December 18.

After attending at least one FIFA Arab Cup match, the group will travel to Europe to observe current national team players and those on the cusp of selection.

Brazil are among 13 national teams that have already qualified for the 2022 World Cup, having won 11 and drawn two of their 13 South American zone qualifiers so far.

The five-time World Cup winners are due to return from international football's end-of-year recess with a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in Quito on January 27. Enditem