The World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday with an opening ceremony extravaganza as the tiny gulf nation stakes its reputation on delivering a smooth tournament.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived at the stadium flanked by Fifa president Gianni Infantino as they took their seats alongside other Arab leaders to watch the show unfold, said the Telegraph on Sunday.
The ceremony itself featured camels, Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman and a performance of the new tournament song, ‘Dreamers’, featuring singer Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General, were among leaders in the tent-shaped stadium ahead of the first match between the hosts and Ecuador. /Argumentum.al
