Soccer-World Cup gets underway with stakes high for host Qatar

Reuters

Andrew Mills and Maya Gebeily

Publishing date:

Nov 20, 2022 • 1 hour in the past • 3 minute learn

AL KHOR — The World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday with the Muslim nation, which confronted a barrage of criticism over its remedy of international employees, LGBT rights and social restrictions, staking its popularity on delivering a easy match.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived on the stadium flanked by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, to a roaring crowd, and took their seats alongside different Arab leaders.

A present then unfolded on the pitch, that includes three camels, American actor Morgan Freeman and a efficiency of a brand new match track known as Dreamers that includes singer Jungkook of Ok-pop boy band BTS, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi.

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, in addition to the United Nations Secretary-Basic, are amongst leaders on the in a tent-shaped stadium forward of the primary match between the hosts and Ecuador.

Qatar, which has denied accusations of abuse of employees and discrimination, and FIFA hope the concentration is going to now flip to motion on the pitch. Organizers have additionally denied allegations of bribery for internet hosting rights.

Inside Al Bayt Stadium many seats have been nonetheless vacant with gridlock on the expressway resulting in the world, the place cheers went up as Qatar’s crew appeared for his or her opening match.

The soccer match, the primary held within the Center East and the most costly in its historical past, is a fruits of Qatar’s mushy energy push, after a 3-1/2 12 months boycott by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain which led to 2021.

The UAE, whose rapprochement with Doha has been slower than that of Riyadh and Cairo, despatched its vp who can be ruler of Dubai, the place many World Cup followers have opted to remain.

For the primary time, a direct business flight from Tel Aviv to Doha landed in Qatar on Sunday regardless of the absence of formal bilateral ties, in a deal brokered by FIFA to hold each Palestinians and Israelis to the match.

The Gulf state’s Deputy Prime Minister Khalid Al-Attiyah, in remarks on state media, mentioned Qatar was reaping rewards of years of “onerous work and sound planning.”

On Saturday, FIFA’s Infantino rounded on European critics of Qatar, saying engagement was the one means to enhance rights, whereas Doha has additionally pointed to labor reforms.

Denmark’s and Germany’s crew captains will put on One Love armbands as they put together to compete in a conservative Muslim state the place same-sex relations are unlawful. Organizers say all are welcome whereas warning in opposition to public affection.

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Throngs of followers have been already arriving in Qatar, however the primary rush shall be later this week.

Daniel Oordt from Holland, clad in orange, advised Reuters there was a sense of “fixed strain round you to not say the incorrect factor or make the incorrect transfer.” “It’s not a enjoyable ambiance to have at a World Cup.”

Argentina fan Julio Cesar although mentioned he anticipated an incredible ambiance. “We’ll drink earlier than the match,” he added, after alcohol gross sales at stadiums have been banned.

Guests sipped beer on the FIFA Fan Pageant in central Doha. Outdoors town’s edges, a whole lot of employees gathered in a sports activities enviornment in an industrial zone, with out alcohol. They will watch matches there, priced out of the stadiums many toiled to construct together with different infrastructure for the occasion.

“In fact I didn’t purchase a ticket. They’re costly and I ought to use that cash for different issues – like sending it again residence to my household,” Ghanaian nationwide Kasim, a safety guard who has labored in Qatar for 4 years, advised Reuters.

Gasoline exporter Qatar is the smallest nation to host soccer’s greatest world occasion. Crowd management shall be key with some 1.2 million guests anticipated – greater than a 3rd of its inhabitants.

Employees have been placing remaining touches to Doha’s panorama, together with draping a purple tarpaulin over an unfinished constructing close to the stadium the place the ultimate shall be held.

At Lagoona Mall, residents have been going about their enterprise.

“I got here now as a result of I don’t know the way dangerous the site visitors shall be later this week,” mentioned Egyptian girl Esraa, grocery buying (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Andrew Mills; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Extra reporting by Yesim Dikmen, Thomas Suen, Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber, Ilze Filks and Karolos Grohmann in Doha and Omar Fhamy and Mahmoud Mourad in Cairo; Enhancing by William Mallard, Kirsten Donovan and Alexander Smith)