The FIFA World Cup 2022 kicked off in Qatar on Sunday as the world’s biggest sporting event took center stage. The glittering opening ceremony was held at Al Bayt Stadium Stadium in Al Khor, north of Qatar’s capital, Doha. The event kicked off with a cultural show with spectacular light work and music on display as large groups in costumes performed synchronized dance moves. Giant mascots of all previous world cups also graced the playing area as performers kept the audience engaged with their moves. Needless to say, the social media world took notice. We at Fashion Times Magazine bring you a complete rundown of the event.
La’eeb, an Arabic word meaning super-skilled player made an appearance. It is the official mascot of FIFA World Cup 2022
La'eeb ๐ซถ#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/BmqeDmZAET
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
Former France defender Marcel Desailly paraded the World Cup trophy for the defending champions
๐#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/M12SGs8tXp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
ESPN senior writer Gab Marcotti was in attendance
Got past the camels (and camel dropping) and now watching opening ceremony. Know itโs customary to make fun of these, but this is actually pretty good IMO pic.twitter.com/l90XBhu3CT
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) November 20, 2022
Fireworks begin things off
Fireworks start #Qatar2022 opening ceremony at Al-Bayt stadium ahead of Qatar-Ecuador pic.twitter.com/CiYl6amNwy
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) November 20, 2022
The show begins ๐ pic.twitter.com/BpvNHvWCpE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2022
The fireworks are up. The opening ceremony is done.
The Ecuador fans can now sing again pic.twitter.com/4CKe5m0KhA
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) November 20, 2022
South Korean pop sensation Jung Kook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi joined forces to sing “Dreamers.”
BTS star Jung Kook performing at the World Cup ceremony! ๐ถ pic.twitter.com/YdJLuFWsJ1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 20, 2022
Jung Kook of BTS performs at the opening ceremony of the World Cup ๐ต pic.twitter.com/7b9lQPRVQ4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2022
Summing it up
The 30-minute opening ceremony amazed the thousands in attendance and billions watching around the globe. The ceremony featured eight distinct parts, culminating with giant jerseys from all 32 participating nations, every mascot in FIFA World Cup history, including the Qatar 2022 version Laโeeb, and a huge inflatable emblem.
Four images that perfectly sums up the The World Cup Opening ceremony. ๐ธ#TelegraphFootball #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SGpRajwa8H
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 20, 2022
Conceived as a joyous and contemporary one-of-a-kind spectacle with an important unifying message, the ceremony was produced by Executive Artistic Director, Ahmed Al Baker, CEO of Katara Studios, with support from Creative Director, Marco Balich, and Artistic Director, Anghela Alo. Qatar – which is home to 3 million people, mostly migrant workers – has spent more than $200 billion on improvements across the country for the tournament.
