The FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, following a spectacular opening ceremony that featured performances by Jung Kook from Korean supergroup BTS and Qatari singer Fahad al-Kubaisi.
The 30-minute opening ceremony, narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freema, amazed the thousands in attendance and billions watching around the globe.
The ceremony showcased Qatari culture and heritage while highlighting football’s ability to unite people from different countries and cultures.
In his address, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani said: “We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments.”
“People of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments. How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time.”
The ceremony featured eight distinct parts, culminating with giant jerseys from all 32 participating nations, every mascot in FIFA World Cup history, including the Qatar 2022 version La’eeb, and a huge inflatable emblem.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also addressed the fans inside the stadium saying “Welcome to celebrate football, because football unites the world. Now, let’s welcome the teams and let the show begin. All the best to everyone.”
World leaders who attended opening ceremony
Arab leaders dominated the list of world leaders who attended the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Sunday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were the most prominent attendees.
The leaders of UAE, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait, Palestine, Lebanon, Senegal, Rwanda, Liberia, Ecuador and Venezuela also attended.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach were also seen at the opening ceremony.
Ecuador wins first World Cup match
Ecuador got off to a winning start against hosts Qatar in the tournament opener at Al Bayt Stadium after a stunning opening ceremony. A crowd of 67,372 attended the Group A encounter, with the South Americans winning 2-0 thanks to a brace by Enner Valencia.
Qatar World Cup opens amid criticism and controversy
Qatar, which wants to use the FIFA World Cup to showcase its rapid expansion from a small Arab country, has been continuously criticized by Western countries over its treatment of migrant laborers hired to rebuild the stadiums and infrastructure for the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. The small Middle Eastern nation has come under fire over its stance on LBGTQ+ rights.
Qatar’s government has denied allegations its laborers are ill-treated and said the event has been a catalyst to change laws and institute reforms to improve workers’ lives.
One day before the opening game of the World Cup, the president of football’s international governing body FIFA says the West should not criticize Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup. “Don’t criticize Qatar. Don’t criticize the players. Criticize FIFA. Criticize me, if you want. Because I’m responsible for everything,” he said.
Gianni Infantino branded criticism of Qatar’s treatment of immigrants as “hypocrisy” and “moral lesson-giving” from European nations that should instead apologize for their own histories. “I think for what we Europeans have been doing around the world for the last 3,000 years, we should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years, before starting to give moral lessons,” Infantino said.