Twelve years in the past, Qatar was awarded the World Cup and scrutiny has barely let up since.
But tonight, after a build-up as unusual and muted as something that is gone earlier than, the controversy was put to at least one aspect because the soccer lastly took centre stage.
Outside Al Bayt stadium, designed to resemble a Bedouin tent, followers from Qatar and Ecuador combined, sang and danced with supporters from around the globe.
We spoke to followers from Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, South Africa and the Netherlands.
The world has actually come to Qatar, simply not but within the numbers you would possibly anticipate for the beginning of the best sporting occasion on Earth.
The opening ceremony was spectacular, as you’d anticipate from a rustic that has spent as a lot as $10bn to stage this event.
The actor Morgan Freeman narrated a message of unity whereas symbols and personalities of the Arab world had been watched by 60,000 folks inside one of many seven model new arenas constructed for this event.
Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, was seated within the royal field, subsequent to Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, and one down from Qatar’s emir. Until just lately, the Saudi kingdom had led a boycott towards Qatar; tonight the Gulf nations appeared buddies once more.
This was an announcement. Both international locations have doubtful human rights data, however with the world’s eyes on the Middle East, the uneasy neighbours determined to stay collectively.
World Cup opening video games can typically be cagey affairs. Not this time. Qatar had been poor and their South American opponents took benefit.
Read extra:
England will take the knee in Qatar
FIFA president’s rambling tirade was first personal aim of World Cup
First hosts to lose opening recreation
Ecuador had an early aim dominated out, after VAR detected the narrowest of offsides, however inside quarter of an hour they had been one-nil up. The first aim of the 2022 World Cup got here from the penalty spot.
Ecuador doubled their lead earlier than half-time and will have prolonged it additional. Qatar went shut earlier than the break, however in fact they appeared off the tempo.
With not even 70 minutes on the clock, the stadium began to empty. Qatari followers made for the exit as their group struggled to maintain the rating down.
The Qatari organisers shall be happy the soccer has lastly begun, however this wasn’t the beginning they wished.
Along with all the opposite accusations levelled at them, tonight they earned the considerably ignominious honour of changing into the primary hosts to lose the opening recreation of a World Cup.
It’s been a tough construct up for Qatar off the pitch – from this efficiency, it may not get any simpler for them on it.
Source: information.sky.com”