The 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony offered the expected extravaganza of dance, song and pyrotechnics ahead of the opening match between Ecuador and hosts Qatar in Group A.
Football fans were given a special treat as BTS star Jung Kook performed in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Opening Ceremony, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, on Sunday, 20 November 2022.
Jung Kook performed the official World Cup song “Dreamers” with Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi.
The Al Bayt Stadium in the city of Al Khor, is an $850 million facility built for the World Cup with a retractable roof.
It played host to Hollywood star, Morgan Freeman who donned the narrator role during the ceremony and gave a nostalgic monologue.
The event was produced on a nostalgic take on the previous World Cups, with songs like K’naan’s Wavin’ Flag in the background.
With the opener done, hosts Qatar faced Ecuador in the tournament opening match.
A crowd of 60,000 took part in the festivities, which concluded with a spectacular fireworks display, ahead of watching the host nation play its first-ever World Cup match.
Qatari YouTuber, Ghanim Al Muftah, a political studies student at Loughborough University starred in the 2022 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony alongside Morgan Freeman, demonstrating “hope, jubilation and respect”
Al Muftah, one of the official FIFA World Cup Ambassadors was born without the lower half of his body.
The 20-year-old is known for his motivational speeches and social media presence, raising awareness about his condition.
Al Muftah featured on TEDxQatarUniversity in 2018, when he was just 16, to talk about caudal regression syndrome and how he’s dealt with it.
CRS affects the development of the lower half of the body, which can include the spine, limbs, bladder, bowels and gut. Spinal abnormalities often also affect the chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Al Muftah was chosen as one of the official FIFA World Cup Ambassadors this year.
In a statement, the Qatar-born said: “Within my capacities as a [Fifa World Cup] ambassador, I want to send a message of hope, inclusivity, peace, and unity for humanity.”
The Loughborough University political student is known for his philanthropy, having set up the Association of Ghanim, alongside his family.
The association donates wheelchairs to the people in need.
Al Muftah was also named ‘Ambassador of Peace’ by H.H the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh
The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, on his part, welcomed everyone to the 2022 World Cup as it officially gets underway with Qatar and Ecuador ready to go any moment now.
“Football unites the world. Let’s welcome the teams and let the show begin!,” he said during the opening ceremony.
Qatari leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hammad Al Thani welcomed the world in Arabic, and here is what he said in a nutshell: “From Qatar, from the Arab world, I welcome everyone to this year’s World Cup. We have worked so hard to make this one of the most successful events in the world. And we are finally here, in good grace.
“For 28 days, we will be following, along with the rest of the world, this incredible event, and understanding each other, under this roof.
“The one roof that brings us all together, with all our differences, cultures and beliefs- to respect each other, and find harmony in our existence.. I hope that every viewer across the globe enjoys and appreciates this ceremony. Welcome, world!”
Qatar is the first Arabian country to host the World Cup in what is the 22nd edition of the tournament.
This is the second World Cup hosted on Asian soil, after South Korea/Japan in 2002.
Let the game begin!