UK's Boris Johnson tells Qatar's Sheikh Tamim 'we have a tough group' in World Cup

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in London on Tuesday, where the two leaders touched on bilateral relations and, briefly, the upcoming World Cup.

Johnson said the two leaders discussed "tackling the economic problems of the world" and praised Qatar's assistance in the UK during its evacuation from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover last year.

But it was the World Cup, due to take place in Qatar in December, that captured the attention of journalists at the Downing Street meeting.

H.H. The Amir of Qatar @TamimBinHamad meets HRH Prince Charles, @ClarenceHouse in London. #QatarUK https://t.co/fFchc2snEt

— State of Qatar Embassy - London 🇶🇦🇬🇧 (@QatarEmb_London) May 24, 2022

"I invite the Prime Minister to come and see the World Cup," Sheikh Tamim said. "England have a very strong young team."

Johnson said: "Yes. Well, we have got a tough group."

England is tied with Iran, the US, and either Scotland, Ukraine, or Wales in the first round of the competition.

"A very interesting group. And also, on top, we might have Scotland and Wales as well," Sheikh Tamim responded.

Sheikh Tamim also met Prince Charles at Clarence House on Tuesday.

The UK and Qatar have long political and economic links, with $4.8 billion in trade between the two countries last year.