Hosts Qatar opened the 2022 Fifa World Cup in calamitous fashion, easily beaten by Ecuador in a humbling defeat at Al Bayt.

Felix Sanchez’s men have been together in camp for the last six months to prepare for the tournament and work on tactics, but a nervous and disjointed performance led to a Group A loss.

With Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and three-time finalists the Netherlands to come, this looked like Qatar’s easiest game on paper but they were totally outplayed.

A dramatic opening to the contest saw Enner Valencia’s header from close range ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee, but the South Americans did break the deadlock shortly after.

Qatar’s erratic goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb brought Valencia down in the box and the ex-West Ham forward stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

It got worse for the hosts as Valencia powered in another header before half-time to leave the Al Bayt Stadium silenced at the break.

Many supporters who had left the stadium at the interval did not return, leaving the ground around half empty for much of the second period.

It contributed to a flat atmosphere both off and on the pitch, with Romario Ibarra’s curling shot being pushed out by Al-Sheeb.

Star men Almoez Ali and captain Hassan Al Haydos were both substituted with 20 minutes remaining, and the side were unable to muster a shot on target.

Qatar’s dream turns to nightmare

After the controversies and conjecture, a football was finally kicked in the Qatar World Cup, 12 years on from being named as hosts.

A day that began with real excitement with the opening ceremony, Qatar’s dream turned into a nightmare as they became the first hosts in the competition’s history to lose their opening game.

The Asian champions, a tournament they won back in 2019, offered no threat in the final third and were unable to test Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez once. 

South Africa have been the only hosts not to make it out of the group in 2010, but Qatar could follow as the second with two difficult games left to play.

Ecuador, meanwhile, have set themselves up in a superb position to progress, extending their excellent recent form to one defeat in 16 games and keeping a clean sheet in their last seven.

They were clearly the better side and had the ball in the back of the net after 160 seconds, but Valencia’s close range header was ruled for offside by VAR.

There was confusion as to why the goal did not stand, but Felix Torres’ initial challenge with the goalkeeper fell to Michael Estrada in an offside position.

Ecuador were all over Qatar, whose goalkeeper Al Sheeb was particularly shaky and he brought down Valencia, who coolly rolled in the penalty.

Qatar barely had a sniff and their first shot came in anger when defender Abdelkarim Hassan strode forward but his effort from range was blazed wildly over.

Star man Ali, who scored nine goals in the Asian Cup triumph, struggled to get into the game and headed wide, while Pedro Miguel headed did the same in the second half.

With much of the crowd already leaving to go home, Akram Afif and substitute Mohammed Muntari both smashed over to bring to an end a disappointing opening evening for Qatar.

Camels, fireworks and Morgan Freeman.

The 2022 World Cup kicked off on Sunday with a visually striking opening ceremony at Al-Bayt Stadium ahead of the tournament’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 tournament song, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi at the stadium in Al Khor. 

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

“Everyone is welcome,” Freeman told the crowd.

One of the dance routines featured giant walking kits of the 32 teams competing in the tournament and the mascots of previous World Cups alongside La’eeb, the 2022 mascot. 

Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi performed together before Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered the opening speech in Arabic. 

“People of different races, nationalities, creeds and orientations will gather here in Qatar and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments,” the emir told the crowd.

With just under 90 minutes remaining until the opening match of the tournament, the ceremony kicked off with Oscar-winning actor Freeman narrating a video about football’s ability to unite.

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

“Everyone is welcome,” Freeman told the crowd.

One of the dance routines featured giant walking kits of the 32 teams competing in the tournament and the mascots of previous World Cups alongside La’eeb, the 2022 mascot. 

Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi performed together before Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered the opening speech in Arabic. 

“People of different races, nationalities, creeds and orientations will gather here in Qatar and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments,” the emir told the crowd.

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, as well as the United Nations secretary general, were among world leaders in the tent-shaped stadium ahead of the opening match. 

The 30-minute ceremony ended with a fireworks display and another dance routine before the Qatar and Ecuador teams took to the pitch to start their warm-ups. 

‘This opening ceremony seemed different and important’ – analysis

After all the challenges, allegations and doubts this was Qatar’s opportunity to welcome the world and present its case to a global audience of billions.

Despite its location plonked in the middle of a barren desert wasteland far away from anywhere, the Al-Bayt stadium does provide a jaw-dropping setting for the opening of the most controversial World Cup in history. It’s easy to see why it was chosen, designed in the shape and colours of a colossal Bedouin tent, home for nomads across the region. It is an architectural gem. 

Inside is just as eye-catching. A sea of maroon white with a large dash of yellow behind one of the goals where the Ecuador fans had gathered.

Opening ceremonies can seem an unnecessary distraction before the main event but this seemed different and important. After all that has gone before, the Qataris could not afford to slip up.

Persuading Morgan Freeman to narrate the show live in the stadium felt like a real coup. The mix of traditional and modern elements was seamless, featuring mascots and songs from previous World Cups a nice touch.

An appearance from South Korea’s K-pop megastar Jung Kook brought the youngsters to their feet but the biggest cheer was for the emir of Qatar when he arrived and waved to the crowd.

The country’s ruler welcomed people of all beliefs but there was no acknowledgment of the controversies that have dominated the build-up.

The Qataris we spoke to were also reluctant to engage in more negative topics, but they were both proud and excited. For the organisers, perhaps a brief sigh of relief.

The World Cup kicks off November 20,2022 as the the biggest tournament in the sporting world takes place in Qatar with the hosts welcoming Ecuador after the opening ceremony. This will take place after the opening ceremony – a tradition in kick-starting this major tournament.

The competition begins following the crushing blow of yet another injury – this time in the form of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

The France Striker is ruled out of the World Cup following a thigh problem.

England Boss Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane will also both be speaking today as the Three Lions begin their adventure against Iran on Monday, November 21,2022.

A Qatari official speaks to the world in Arabic.

He finished the speech in English, saying:

“Welcome and good luck to all”.

Ahead of today’s 2022 World Cup opening match featuring Qatar and Ecuador,  a sparkling opening ceremony inside the Bedouin-tent inspired Al Bayt Stadium will invite the world to come together in Qatar as the FIFA World Cup kicks off for the first time in the Middle East and Arab world.

The 30-minute show will be full of surprises, with the main act featuring a performance of Dreamers – another hit single on the FIFA World Cup Official Soundtrack – by celebrated South Korean pop star Jung Kook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi.

The theme of the opening ceremony is a gathering for all mankind, bridging differences through humanity, respect and inclusion.

Football allows us to come together as one tribe and the earth is the tent in which we all live.

The seven-act programme will be led by world class talents that interlace Qatari tradition with worldwide culture and will include tributes to the 32 competing teams, previous FIFA World Cup hosts and event volunteers.

Along with hundreds of performers, FIFA World Cup Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah and Qatari singer Dana will encourage dialogue on inclusion and diversity.

Here in Doha, spectators and TV viewers are encouraged to take their seats at 17.30 local time (3.30pm Nigerian time and 15.30 CET), as this unmissable show will begin 10 minutes later.

Felix Sanchez Bas’s men are competing on the biggest international stage for the first time in their history and they have their eyes on registering a bright start against Ecuador

After several years of counting down, the stage is now set for the first-ever World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East.

The Qatar 2022 World Cup will easily pass as one of the most controversial with the attendant bad press gotten rightly or wrongly since it was pronounced as the host up until the eve of the kickoff.

Though in its 22nd edition, only 17 countries have hosted the Mundial while only eight countries have been privileged to lift the trophy.

Brazil, Germany and Italy together have 13 titles (more than half of the total) and they would be looking to extend their dominance, albeit without the Azzurri who, surprisingly, failed to qualify.

The first match of the ‘highly controversial’ 2022World Cup pitches the hosts, Qatar, against Ecuador and it will be taking place at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Though the Maroon, as the Qatar national team are fondly referred to, are not likely to replicate the feats of the likes of Uruguay, Italy, England, Argentina and France who hosted and won the World Cup, they are keen to ruffle feathers in their maiden outing at the Mundial.

Felix Sanchez Bas’s men are competing on the biggest international stage for the first time in their history and they have their eyes on registering a bright start against Ecuador who are returning to the World Cup after an eight-year absence.

Dogged with several allegations; including trying to bribe Ecuador to lose their opening game, the Qatar coach insists his side remains unfazed by the distractions and are ready to make their country proud.

“We are very excited motivated and happy to be playing our first World Cup. We are focusing on how to prepare for the game, to control our emotions and we don’t take anything else into account.

“The best thing that can happen to a team or a footballer is to keep calm, avoid any sort of rumours and noise around you.” the Qatar coach was quoted as saying on ESPN.

While no one expects it to be a stroll in the park, Qatar harbour slim hopes of navigating their way through Group A where they will also face Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and the Netherlands.

If their form in their build-up games is anything to go by, Qatar should at least avoid the infamous record held by South Africa as the only World Cup hosts to crash out in the group stage

Presently ranked 50th in the World, Qatar recorded victories over Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and most recently Albania in their test matches.

Drab opener

Though it could be tension-soaked and somewhat entertaining; especially with the electrifying atmosphere anticipated, the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador does not look like a game that would present plenty of goals.

Home fans were more than delighted when Russia, the last host of the last World Cup, hammered Saudi Arabia 5-0 at Luzhniki Stadium in their opening match.

ut for Sunday, while Qatar is not a free-scoring team, the Ecuadorians are equally mean in defence.

The South Americans have recorded six clean sheets in six games since the start of June, but they have only found the back of the net twice themselves, with four of those six matches ending in barren draws.

Though football can be unpredictable sometimes, the football world is expecting an epic tournament in Qatar, where just anything and everything is possible.

Qatar’s possible starting lineup:

Al-Sheeb; Miguel, Al-Wari, Salman, Hassan, Ahmed; Hatem, Boudiaf; Al-Haydos; Ali, Afif

Ecuador’s possible starting lineup:

Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Gruezo, Caicedo, Cifuentes; Plata, Valencia, Ibarra

Possible scoreline

Qatar 1-0 Ecuador

As the first World Cup in the Arab world kicks off, it is pertinent to note that  in the tournament, the first match a team plays outcome of the first match is often crucial and goes a long way in shaping a team’s prospects.

Such matches are sometimes tension-filled, irrespective of the relative strength of the teams. With

three first round matches, a team may not feel same pressure at their first match of the World Cup as they might prior to their third match.

But the opening matches may hold more importance than many realize. Take for instance France ‘98. Of the 16 teams that advanced into the second round, not one of them lost the opening match.

Ten of the 16 teams that went through to the next stage attained the required two victories necessary while four others went undefeated with a win and two draws.

Only Denmark which eliminated Nigeria in the second round of France ‘98 went through with just a win and two draws. Chile was able to keep afloat with three draws in their Group B encounters.

The trend is carried over to the next two World Cup finals. At Korea/Japan 2010, only two of the 16 qualifiers for the second round lost their opening matches.

They were Mexico and Turkey who lost their opening matches 0-1 and 2-1 respectively. Some others who drew

their opening games were also able to scrape through.

Such included both England and Sweden who played 1-1 draw in their opening game. Ireland drew 1-1 with Cameroon and was able to advance just as did Belgium and Paraguay.

The same thing happened at Germany 2006 when Ukraine and Ghana were the only teams that lost their opening games and still got to the Round of 16. The 11 others of the remain ing 14 had outright victories leaving Sweden, Switzerland and France as teams with barren draws in their opening game and still managed to advance.

However at the last World Cup in South Africa, Spain achieved a rare feat. The country became the first to lose an

opening round and still went on to win the final match. Also in winning the cup, Spain became the first European team to win the World Cup outside Europe.

The in-built rule therefore for ambitious teams in the World Cup or any tournament with similar format is to avoid an opening match defeat. A win of the first match can buoy confidence as it happened to Cameroon at Italia ’90 against Argentina and also to Nigeria 28 years ago as well as Senegal in 2002.

A defeat could be devastating to the psyche of a team as did to the potentially strong Spanish side that surprising

lost 3-2 to Nigeria in their opening game in Nantes.

Spain who were upset in the first match tried to make up and looked ahead to Paraguay and Bulgaria, and still looked good bet to still pick scale through to the round of 16.

But a scoreless draw with Paraguay made their 6- 1 pounding of Bulgaria in the last match worthless after the Super Eagles lost their last match to Paraguay in the final group match.

France ‘98 was the first tournament that comprised 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. The 16 teams that move into the second round are two top finishers of the groups. In the four World Cup tournaments before France ‘98, just 24 teams were involved, meaning four third place finishers also advanced out of group play.

Whereas in USA’94 for instance, a team could almost assure itself of a fourth match with four points from the first

round, the general consensus now is that a team must try to win twice to continue to the second round.

One fact that has emerged in the 92-year history of the World Cup is that only one team ever lost the opening match and went ahead to World Cup .

 Only two teams have won the cup after drawing in the opening game. Paulo Rossi-inspired Italy in

1982 did not even record its first win until after the group games. Also in 1966, England recovered from their scoreless draw with Uruguay to win their next five games and eventually the cup.

The aspiring teams of Qatar 2022 will be wise to  avoid defeat in the opening games

As the World Cup 2022 kicks off this Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, former Super Eagles’ captain and later coach, Sunday Oliseh is one of the two FIFA Technical Study Group members that have been assigned to the match.

Oliseh told the Sports Village Square that he sees himself as a worthy ambassador of the country and will do everything not to dissapoint in the role assigned to him.

he opening match pitches the hosts, Qatar against Colombia and will kick off at 5pm local time (3pm in Nigeria).

Oliseh was one of the six-man team unveiled on Saturday at the virtual stadium of the Main Media Centre in Doha.

The Technical Study Group (TSG), is to provide cutting-edge analysis of all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches while increasing and developing understanding of the game across the world.   

It is led by FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger. The other members include  Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany), Alberto Zaccheroni (Italy), Cha Du-Ri (Korea Republic), Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria), Faryd Mondragon (Colombia) and Pascal Zuberbühler (Switzerland).

Networking continues as Amaju Pinnick links Ibrahim Gusau to FIFA president, Infantino

Former Nigeria Football Federation president and FIFA Council member, Amaju Pinnick has handed his successor, Ibrahim Musa Gusau to the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino here in Doha.

it was part of the networking moves intitiated back home as Pinnick linked his successor to sponsors and stakeholders.

Both Amaju Pinnick and Ibrahim Musa Gusau travelled aboard Qatar Airways early Friday morning for the World Cup which kicks off this Sunday.