Morgan Freeman, Camels and Fireworks – Opening Ceremony WC2022 Makes History
The World Cup 2022 commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony at Al-Bayt Stadium before the opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
Morgan Freeman, an American actor, was featured in the ceremonies alongside Qatari YouTuber Ghanim Al-Muftah.
South Korean pop star Jung Kook performed Dreamers, the tournament song, with Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi in a stadium in Al Khor.
With just 90 minutes remaining until the beginning of the game, the opening ceremony began with the Oscar-winning actor Freeman of a video describing how football can aid in bringing individuals together.
The first FIFA World Cup in a Muslim country in the Middle East has been hampered by several controversies, including the deaths suffered by migrant workers and the mistreatment of LGBT people in Qatar.
In the first dance routine, Freeman was greeted by a round of applause due to his entrance to the venue alongside Al Muftah, born with the rare Caudal Regression Syndrome.
“Everyone is welcome,” Freeman told the crowd.
One of the choreography routines featured giant walking kits, the mascots of previous World Cups, and La’eeb, the soccer mascot of the year 2022.
Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi performed alongside a fantastic light show beforehand, just before Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s opening speech in Arabic.
Emir told the crowd,” People of different races, nationalities, creeds, and orientations will gather in Qatar and around the globe to watch similar exhilarating events.”
The Saudi crown prince, Egypt’s president, Turkey’s president, and the UN secretary-general all attended the inauguration of an international football match in the tent-shaped stadium.
The 30-minute ceremony concluded with a fireworks show and another dance routine before the two teams from Qatar and Ecuador took to the pitch to prepare for their warm-ups.
A Very Different, Eye-Catching & Spectacular Opening Ceremony
After the difficulties faced, in contrast with the world, Qatar had the opportunity to showcase its capabilities of entrepreneurship to an international audience of billions.
Amid a desert wasteland far from any city, Al-Bayt Stadium offers a fantastic location for the inaugural of the most controversial World Cup in history. It’s easy to see why it was chosen, designed in the shape of a large Bedouin tent, holding room for nomadic tribes throughout the area. It is an architectural gem.
The inside is just as attractive. There was an immense sea of maroon white, with a small volume of yellow at the front of the goal where the Ecuador supporters had gathered.
The opening ceremonies can seem like a pointless preamble, but this was different and important. After all that has gone previously, the Qataris had a constitutional right to thrive.
It felt like a real coup to persuade Morgan Freeman to narrate a live show in the arena. The combination of old and new elements gathered tastefully, with old World Cup mascots and songs, added a nice touch.
Jung Kook’s appearance led the audience to a rousing cheer, but the top favorite was Qatar’s Emir as he waved to the audience.
While the country’s leader had a multitude of compassion, there was not much acknowledgment of the controversies that had fostered the build-up.
The Qataris we spoke to also preferred to steer clear of excessively negative debates, but they were both extremely pleased and proud. For the organizers, a last-minute sigh of relief.
WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS!
Other than Morgan Freeman, Youtuber Ghanim Al-Muftah, Jung Kook, and Fahad Al Kubaisi, Qatari singer Dana al-Fardan also performed early in the ceremony.
It opens with the verses, singers performing alongside an eye-catching light show, and dancers performing during the ceremony.
Pyrotechnics surrounding a giant version of the World Cup trophy, dance routines featuring camels, Mascots of past World Cups, La’eeb, the current mascot, and the fantastic, jaw-dropping featured fireworks display makes us watch the highlights again and again.
