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World Cup 2022: Morgan Freeman and Jung Kook star in glitzy opening ceremony

November 21, 2022

Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport web site and app. Day-by-day TV listings – Full coverage details

Camels, fireworks and Morgan Freeman.

The 2022 World Cup kicked off on Sunday with a visually hanging opening ceremony at Al-Bayt Stadium forward of the event’s first match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

American actor Freeman featured in the festivities alongside Qatari YouTuber Ghanim Al-Muftah.

South Korean pop star Jung Kook sang Dreamers, the event music, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi on the stadium in Al Khor.

With just below 90 minutes remaining till the opening match of the event, the ceremony kicked off with Oscar-winning actor Freeman narrating a video about soccer’s capacity to unite.

The build-up to the primary World Cup to be held in a Muslim nation in the Middle East has been overshadowed by a lot of controversies, together with deaths of migrant employees and therapy of LGBT folks in Qatar.

Morgan Freeman and Ghanim Al-Muftah took half in the ceremony

Morgan Freeman and Ghanim Al-Muftah alongside Qatari singer Dana al-Fardan — Qatari singer Dana al-Fardan carried out early in the ceremony

During the primary dance routine, Freeman was greeted by cheers as he appeared in the stadium alongside Al Muftah, who was born with the uncommon Caudal Regression Syndrome.

“Everyone is welcome,” Freeman instructed the gang.

One of the dance routines featured large strolling kits of the 32 groups competing in the event and the mascots of earlier World Cups alongside La’eeb, the 2022 mascot.

Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi carried out collectively earlier than Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered the opening speech in Arabic.

“People of various races, nationalities, creeds and orientations will collect right here in Qatar and round screens on all continents to share the identical thrilling moments,” the emir instructed the gang.

The light show during the opening ceremony — The gentle present caught the attention throughout the opening ceremony

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, in addition to the United Nations secretary normal, had been amongst world leaders in the tent-shaped stadium forward of the opening match.

The 30-minute ceremony ended with a fireworks show and one other dance routine earlier than the Qatar and Ecuador groups took to the pitch to begin their warm-ups.

‘This opening ceremony appeared totally different and vital’ – evaluation

Alex Capstick, BBC Sport at Al-Bayt Stadium

After all of the challenges, allegations and doubts this was Qatar’s alternative to welcome the world and current its case to a world viewers of billions.

Despite its location plonked in the center of a barren desert wasteland distant from wherever, the Al-Bayt stadium does present a jaw-dropping setting for the opening of probably the most controversial World Cup in historical past. It’s straightforward to see why it was chosen, designed in the form and colors of a colossal Bedouin tent, residence for nomads throughout the area. It is an architectural gem.

Inside is simply as eye-catching. A sea of maroon white with a big sprint of yellow behind one of many objectives the place the Ecuador followers had gathered.

Opening ceremonies can appear an pointless distraction earlier than the primary occasion however this appeared totally different and vital. After all that has gone earlier than, the Qataris couldn’t afford to slide up.

Dancers perform — Dancers carry out throughout the ceremony

Persuading Morgan Freeman to relate the present stay in the stadium felt like an actual coup. The mixture of conventional and trendy parts was seamless, that includes mascots and songs from earlier World Cups a pleasant contact.

An look from South Korea’s Ok-pop megastar Jung Kook introduced the children to their toes however the largest cheer was for the emir of Qatar when he arrived and waved to the gang.

The nation’s ruler welcomed folks of all beliefs however there was no acknowledgment of the controversies which have dominated the build-up.

The Qataris we spoke to had been additionally reluctant to interact in extra detrimental subjects, however they had been each proud and excited. For the organisers, maybe a short sigh of aid.