The World Cup began in Qatar with disgraced actor Morgan Freeman performing an opening ceremony in front of thousands of empty seats, which was not shown in the United Kingdom because the BBC chose to air a story on the country’s human rights record instead.
The event, which has been marred by controversy over the Middle Eastern nation’s treatment of migrant workers, LGBT rights, and social restrictions, has been viewed as a means of polishing the nation’s image on the international arena.
It has refuted allegations of worker mistreatment and discrimination, but that did not stop Gary Lineker-led BBC coverage from featuring a pre-packaged segment on Qatar’s dubious human rights record and the controversies surrounding the event, rather than broadcasting the opening ceremony.
The inaugural match itself would have left organizers red-faced as people left throughout the game, leaving thousands of vacant seats in full view of the cameras.
During the opening ceremony, vacant seats were visible in the background; these seats appeared to be filled by the time the game began at 7 p.m. local time, but they emptied again before to the final whistle.
VIPs included former England player David Beckham, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and world leaders including Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as members of the Qatari royal family, mingled in the stands.
In another controversy, Qatar outlawed the sale of beer in stadiums on Friday in a startling reversal. As a result, many of Doha’s restaurants and nightclubs – one of the few venues where supporters can purchase alcohol – were filled with fans and their tables were fully occupied on the first day of the tournament.
On the field, things did not improve for the Middle Eastern nation, as Qatar was thoroughly outplayed by Ecuador, losing 2-0 at home and becoming the first World Cup host nation to lose its opening match.
Ghanim Al Muftah, a 20-year-old YouTuber from Qatar, appeared alongside Morgan Freeman at the World Cup opening ceremony.
Al Muftah is well-known for his motivational speeches and social media presence. In 2018, at the age of 16, he spoke at TEDxQatarUniversity about his ailment, caudal regression syndrome.
The lower half of the body, including the spine, limbs, bladder, bowels, and gut, can be affected by caudal regression syndrome (CRS).
The bones in the lower spine might be faulty or absent, and spinal abnormalities frequently impact the chest, making it harder to breathe.
This year, Mr. Al Muftah, who was born in Qatar, was selected as one of the official FIFA World Cup Ambassadors.
The Loughborough University politics student stated in a statement, “In my capacity as a FIFA World Cup ambassador, I want to promote a message of hope, inclusivity, peace, and humanity’s oneness.”
Mr. Al Muftah is well-known for his generosity, having founded the Association of Ghanim with the assistance of his family.
The organization provides wheelchairs to anyone in need.
Following weeks of criticism over the country’s human rights record, Morgan Freeman opened the World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar today in front of the country’s royals and rows of empty seats.
The 85-year-old actor, who apologized for sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior four years ago, narrated the event’s opening segment titled ‘The Calling’ today, telling viewers, ‘We all gather here as one big tribe’ as fans descended on Doha’s city center in anticipation of the upcoming start of the world’s greatest football festival.
Ghanim al Muftah, a 20-year-old Qatari entrepreneur and influencer who was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome, a rare illness that hinders the development of the lower spine, and is a FIFA World Cup Ambassador, told the actor, “Come on over.”
Freeman responded, “I’m unsure. Am I invited?” al Muftah responded, “We sent out the call because everyone is welcome.” This is an invitation sent to the entire world.
Freeman answered, “I recall that, even after hearing the call, we rejected it and insisted on our own route, rather than considering an alternative. And today the world feels more distant and divided than ever before. How can so many nations, languages, and cultures coexist if only one approach is accepted?
His presence comes four years after eight women accused him of sexual misconduct and he issued an apology to ‘anyone who felt uncomfortable or insulted’ by his behavior, stating that it was ‘never my aim’
Eight witnesses and eight alleged victims have come forward to accuse the actor of engaging in “inappropriate conduct” and “harassment” when they worked alongside him.
Social media users have reacted negatively to the actor’s participation in the ceremony, with one calling it ‘disappointing’ and another stating: ‘When you have to act out a scene with Morgan Freeman ‘welcoming the entire world’ to your country for a soccer tournament, maybe you shouldn’t host the World Cup.’
The opening ceremony featured ‘Leta’Arafo (To Know One Another)’ scenes, followed by ‘Chants of Nations,’ a World Cup Medley, a display of the official mascots, and Jung Kook of South Korean boy band BTS.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, was accompanied by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as they entered the stadium and took their places alongside other Arab leaders.
Three camels, American actor Morgan Freeman, and a performance of a new tournament song titled Dreamers featuring vocalist Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi then took the field.
The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the presidents of Egypt, Turkey, and Algeria, as well as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, are among the officials gathered in a tent-shaped stadium prior to the opening match between the hosts and Ecuador.
Qatar, which has disputed allegations of worker mistreatment and discrimination, and FIFA are hopeful that the focus will now shift to the action on the field. In addition, organizers have disputed suspicions of hosting rights bribery.
As Qatar’s team appeared for their inaugural encounter, there were still many empty seats at Al Bayt Stadium due to traffic congestion on the motorway leading to the venue. However, there were loud cheers as a result of the team’s appearance.
The soccer tournament, the first to be staged in the Middle East and the most expensive in its history, is the capstone of Qatar’s soft power campaign following the end of a three-and-a-half-year boycott by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain in 2021.
The United Arab Emirates, whose reconciliation with Doha has been slower than that of Riyadh and Cairo, dispatched its vice president, who is also the ruler of Dubai, where many World Cup supporters have chosen to stay.
A direct commercial aircraft from Tel Aviv to Doha landed in Qatar for the first time on Sunday, despite the absence of formal bilateral connections, as a result of an arrangement arranged by FIFA to transport both Palestinians and Israelis to the tournament.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Gulf state, Khalid Al-Attiyah, stated on state television that Qatar was reaping the results of years of “hard labor and solid planning.”
Saturday, FIFA’s Infantino attacked European criticism of Qatar, stating that engagement was the best way to promote human rights, while Doha referred to its labor changes.
As they prepare to play in a conservative Muslim nation where same-sex relationships are prohibited, the team captains of Denmark and Germany will don One Love armbands. The organizers welcome everyone but advise against public affection.
Supporters came at the Al Bayt stadium for this afternoon’s opening match in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius under a blazing sun.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, arrived in Qatar for the World Cup opener on Sunday, according to Qatar’s press agency.
The strong crown prince of Saudi Arabia and a delegation of ministers arrived in the neighboring country this morning to attend the inauguration ceremony, according to Saudi official media.
Mohammed bin Salman was joined by the energy, interior, foreign, trade, and investment ministries of the kingdom, as well as senior officials including his national security adviser and the director of the National Guard, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
Women with black shayla headdresses and abayhas and men in white thobes were seen entering the stadium, which was supposed to resemble the tents used by nomads.
They were accompanied by Ecuador supporters, many of whom wore elaborate headdresses, balaclavas, and masks and held national flags.
Outside the stadium’s entrance gates, fans from both teams paused to take photos with one another, creating the impression of a cordial mood.
Many of the laborers who worked to construct the eight stadiums were unable to afford the highest World Cup ticket costs ever, despite working valiantly to meet a punishing deadline that claimed the lives of many of their colleagues.
The England football squad was rumored to have gifted tickets to a select few members of the affluent audience.
Prior to the event, the controversy that has long surrounded the decision to give the World Cup to the tiny Gulf state has reached a peak, with continuous scrutiny of its treatment of migrant workers and the LGBT+ population.
Qatari fan Hakeem Ahmad told Reuters as he approached the stadium with his wife and two children, “We are ready.”
Whatever transpires on the field, the world should view us favorably today.
“We have planned this party just for you. If Qatar can play well, it would be to our advantage.
“We hope that after today, people will view Qatar differently, for who we truly are.” It is time to discuss Qatar constructively.
Cathal Kelly, columnist for the Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, summarized the distractions.
“Once the first ball is kicked, nobody cares if it’s being held on a sacred burial ground or powered by coal,” he wrote.
This is the desire of football’s governing body FIFA and Qatari organizers, who have urged detractors to keep their attention on the sport and not pull it into ideological or political conflicts.
Wilmer Saltos, 35, a farmer who has traveled from Guayaquil on the coast of Ecuador with his brother and sister, told Reuters while waiting in the heat to enter the stadium, “This is my first World Cup.”
When we learned that Ecuador would kick off the competition, we knew we had to be present. Clearly, there are significant cultural distinctions; you cannot refute this.
Today, though, is all about football for us; we only wish to concentrate on the game.
While Qatar is hosting one of the sport’s largest parties, it will be largely alcohol-free due to the decision of officials to turn off the beer faucets inside the stadiums, which has drawn additional criticism.
Qatar is a teetotal country where travelers can only purchase or consume alcohol in licensed hotels and restaurants.
Previously, World Cup exemptions allowed spectators to purchase beer in specific “fan zones” and stadium concourses.
However, as a result of Qatar’s breach of contract, alcohol will now only be accessible in “fan zones” and not at the stadiums.
Pints will cost £12, will only be accessible at particular times, and will be limited to four per person to prevent intoxication.
Beer or no beer, Qataris and tens of thousands of foreign fans have descended upon the FIFA Fan Festival zones in central Doha along the city’s iconic Corniche, ready to celebrate.