FIFA World Cup kicks off with a glitzy ceremony

The FIFA World Cup began with a glitzy opening ceremony in Qatar on Sunday, kicking off the month-long football fest after an arduous 12-year build-up marred by off-field controversies. The Ceremony was held at the spectacular Al Bayt Stadium, a facility designed to resemble a traditional Bedouin tent.

Hollywood star Freeman featured in the festivities alongside Qatari YouTuber Ghanim Al-Muftah.

BTS pop star Jung Kook sang Dreamers, the tournament song, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi at the stadium in Al Khor.

The 30-minute show featured performances by international and local actors, singers, and dancers, including Hollywood star Morgan Freeman, K-pop sensation Jungkook of South Korean supergroup BTS, and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi.

Around 60,000 people packed at the spectacular Al Bayt Stadium, a facility designed to resemble a traditional Bedouin tent.

The tournament’s start marked the culmination of 12 years of preparation for Qatar, the Middle East’s first country to host the World Cup. One of the dance routines featured giant walking kits of the 32 teams competing in the tournament and the mascots of previous World Cups alongside La’eeb, the 2022 mascot.

World leaders attended the FIFA world cup opening

Moreover, a giant replica of the World Cup trophy was a centerpiece of the opening ceremony. Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey, and Algeria, as well as the United Nations secretary general, were among the world leaders who attended the opening ceremony.

The ceremony ended with a dazzling fireworks display that lit up the sky above the stadium before the Qatar and Ecuador teams took to the pitch with Host Qatar being outplayed by Ecuador in a 2-0 loss.

And they become the first host side in the tournament’s history to lose their opening game.

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