Sparkling inauguration ceremony makes world confident
Qatar enters into a new stage making history as the 22nd edition of FIFA World Cup 2022, the first-ever football showpiece in the Middle East and Arab world – kicked off at the Al Bayt Stadium, Sunday opening ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
With this, the long awaited by the world on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2022 finally comes to an end Sunday evening.
Standing up to speak, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated delivering a message in Arabic language but to the end “Welcome and good luck to all,” were the only words in English he spoke.
The sparkling opening ceremony inside the Bedouin-tent inspired Al Bayt Stadium inviting the world to come together in Qatar being attended by many Heads of States, Governments, and other representatives including dignitaries.
After a display of the 32 flags, and what looked like walking replica shirts, it’s time for another dance routine, this time by people dressed all in red and wearing what look like VR goggles. Visually, the ceremony is remarkably impressive. World Cup opening ceremony a global broadcast of just that image, and of Qatari power.
Thousands of fans celebrated the historic day all across the country with Qatar promising to deliver the commitments of staging the best-ever edition of the tournament.
With widespread preparations Qatar hosted the greatest show on Earth since winning the right to host the mega event in 2010, completing state-of-the-art infrastructure with an unprecedented pace.
After the inaugural function, now with a rolling ball by hosts Qatar is playing with Ecuador.
Qatar is taking Ecuador in the inaugural match at the packed 60,000-seater venue that began at 7 PM local time.
Eight world class stadiums and training facilities have already welcomed all the 32 competing countries with superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in town seeking glory in Qatar.
Expecting about over 1.5 million fans to travel to Qatar as official ticket sales stand at 2.95 million, the host country organizers announced their complete readiness including safety protocols, accommodation, transportation and many more facilities for all visiting fans to make the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar a success.
Qatar 2022 is the most compact version of the tournament in modern history. Thus, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Qatar 2022 is set to be the best World Cup edition ever.
The longest distance between stadiums is just 75 kilometers, making it the most compact World Cup without needing much travelling. Now all Qataris are in excitement, stress, anxiety, happiness and euphoria until the World Cup comes to end on December 18 2022 that falls on Qatar’s National Day too.
Fans, which have already arrived in Qatar, are living their dream with entertainment activities underway in different parts of the country. It’s just the beginning as more than 90 entertainment activities across the country are being arranged on the sidelines of the 29-day football fiesta, with the final scheduled on
December 18 – the Qatar National Day. Meanwhile, the teams are expressing their content with facilities in Qatar.
In the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, the 30-minute show by celebrated South Korean pop star Jungkook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi’s showcase stunning performance of Dreamers was full of surprises.
The theme of the opening ceremony is a gathering for all mankind, bridging differences through humanity, respect and inclusion. Football allows us to come together as one tribe and the earth is the tent in which we all live.
The seven-act programme was led by world class talents that interlace Qatari tradition with worldwide culture that include tributes to the 32 competing teams, previous FIFA World Cup hosts and event volunteers.
Along with hundreds of performers, FIFA World Cup Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah and Qatari singer Dana encouraged dialogue on inclusion and diversity.
The decision to ban alcohol sales at the eight tournament stadiums made the football world up in arms. It hinders Budweiser—the FIFA’s World Cup partner since 1986 — to juggle that of an influential or wealthy host nation. However, the FIFA chief insisted that it was a “joint decision” between Qatar and FIFA. But “the fans could buy and consume alcohol as there are many fan zones in Qatar.
World Cup flags, posters, bunting and creative decorations like large concrete balls, painted in the colours of the participating nations, can be seen lining the roads and on lamp posts.
Gigantic images of the stars of world football are plastered on skyscrapers overlooking the West Bay.
The picturesque Corniche, which faces Doha’s skyline on the opposite side of the bay, is where most fans have gathered.
At nearby Al Bidda Park, a fan festival is under way to drum up enthusiasm as the city prepares to host the 32 teams and up to 1.5 million supporters for the next month.
