Huge stadiums rising from the sand, crowds at the gates of the desert… Soccer World Cup started today in Qatar.
In the afternoon, an impressive opening ceremony unfolded, while it remained unknown until the last moment which stars would finally appear on it.
🏆#Qatar2022 | #Soccer World Cup pic.twitter.com/M12SGs8tXp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
What a performance, Jungkook! ✨#Dreamers2022 | @bts_bighit
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
Frame by frame opening ceremony
A Korean pop star has arrived. jungkookwho is a member of the world famous group BTS.
On the other hand, many singers refused to perform at the much-discussed World Cup. Among those who said no are Dua Lipa, Shakira, Rod Stewart, Melanie C (Spice Girls) and Robert Smith of The Cure.
AT 18:00the first match started Qatar and Ecuadorwhich will mark the start of a hectic football month in an emirate that hopes the World Cup it hosts will not… get bogged down in unsportsmanlike disputes.
The atmosphere is building! 😁#Qatar2022 | #Soccer World Cup pic.twitter.com/jpH28QL2Ze
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
Big competition, favorites and outsiders
The competition promises to be tough, especially since no winner has retained their title from one World Cup to another for 60 years after Brazil.
There is, of course, Neymar’s Brazil, which is number one in the FIFA world rankings, and Argentina, which, with a 5-0 win against the UAE in Wednesday’s friendly match, reached 36 straight matches without defeat.
After 16 years of European dominance (Italy 2006, Spain 2010, Germany 2014 and France 2018), some feel that it is time for South America…to return. Among them is Spain coach Luis Enrique, who singles out Argentina and Brazil as favourites.
In search of… a male world trophy, the only one missing from his unique collection of 41 titles that would be the “crown” of his huge career, 35-year-old Lionel Messi picks Brazil, France and England as favorites.
In the absence of European champions Italy, the only world title holders absent from Qatar, a caravan of contenders roams the desert sands, from Euro 2020 finalists from England to Germany to a resurgent Spain, and from the Netherlands to Belgium. But without good preparation or a series of friendly matches to get into… tournament rhythms, certainty is “fragile”.
From there, until it looks like an outsider might take advantage, there’s a move that some national teams like to do, like Russia’s 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia or Cristiano Ronaldo, 37’s Portugal, Luis Suarez’s Uruguay and Edinson Cavani (35). years) or the champions of Africa Senegal, despite the decisive absence of Sadio Mane.
David Jack is a sports author at 247 News Reel, known for his informative writing on sports topics. With extensive knowledge and experience, he provides readers with a deep understanding of the latest sports advancements and trends. David’s insightful articles have earned him a reputation as a skilled and reliable writer.