World Cup 2022 Qatar 0 Ecuador 2 LIVE REACTION: Valencia double sinks host nation in opening match in Doha

South Korea sensation

Jung Kook from BTS was there to perform as the KPOP superstar took to the stage.

It was high budget for Junk Kook, who will be supporting his country South Korea.

They kick-off their World Cup campaign on Thursday against Uruguay in Group H.

Freeman paints a picture

“Football spans the world,” intones Morgan.

Just struck me, he was part of the US delegation for the vote in 2010. Along with Bill Clinton, When they lost to Qatar.

Good to see he’s a man of principle…

So it goes.

Shirts as far as the eye can see

And the music.

Loads of fan chants from around the world.

So, “please don’t take me home” and a riff on the Crystal Palace chant. Holmesdale Road meets Al Khor. Lovely.

Meanwhile, giant shirts of all 32 teams bounce up and down, along with the flags of the competing countries. 

In case I didn’t say….it’s flipping loud, too.

Famous faces to be seen everywhere

Here we go, then.

Al Bayt Stadium

Morgan Freeman promises us a journey over land and sea…lovely.

Ceremony underway!

The World Cup opening ceremony has been brilliant.

Ceremony fast approaches

The Sun's Chief Sports Reporter, Martin Lipton, from Qatar:

Those at home are watching a video of Arabian tribesmen in the desert. I think that was just basking sharks, too. Nice music, mind.

Oh, by the way, did I tell you about the absolute nightmare I had getting in? No. Well, I’m here, just.

And, to be fair, there is a lot of excitement.

Now for the show.. 

Difference of opinion clashes in Qatar

FIFA is attempting to dilute the armband protests by European teams including England and Wales by ordering ALL nations to wear official sleeve slogans.

England skipper Harry Kane and Wales’ Gareth Bale are among eight captains who plan to wear the rainbow-coloured “One Love” armbands despite FIFA so far refusing to grant permission.

But just a day before the tournament kicks off on Sunday, world chiefs have introduced their OWN armbands - with all 32 competing teams expected to comply.

FIFA announced it had “partnered with United Nations agencies to run social campaigns during the World Cup to harness the power of football to spread positive messages globally”.

Ex-Gunner has his say on Southgate

Arsene Wenger says England will reach the World Cup last four - if they can banish their inner doubts.

The former Arsenal boss, now Fifa’s head of global football development, backs Gareth Southgate's side to make it to the semi-finals:

If you look at the last few years, England should be in the semi-finals at least. They got to the semi-finals in Russia and then the final in the Euros. But the doubt comes from what has happened over the past year. If they can get over that doubt in their own minds, they have the team that is good enough to reach the semi-finals.

Arsene WengerFIFA

It's not all doom and gloom

The run-up to the 2022 World Cup has been shrouded in controversy, scandal, scrutiny and tragedy and it is taking place smack in the middle of the European club seasons.

Nevertheless, it is a World Cup, and the biggest prize in international men's football is on the line in Qatar.

Now is surely the time to enjoy a festival of football, something we have to wait four years to enjoy.

South Americans flock to Middle East

While the hosts Qatar can expect to supported more than any other nation at this tournament, plenty of fans of their opponents Ecuador have travelled to follow their side.

The vibrant colours of all showing their support really does make for a carnival atmosphere in Al Khor.

As we get closer to the start, excitement builds, four years of hard work has gone into getting here for the teams.

Atmosphere builds for opening ceremony

As the crowds grow around the Al Bayt Stadium, final preparations are underway both in and outside the ground.

There are fans from all countries looking to enjoy the opener.

We are just over half an hour away from the grand opening of the FIFA 2022 World Cup.

Welsh Dragons changing the game

There was a World Cup first at the Wales press day in Al Sadd on Saturday.

Spurs defender Ben Davies conducted his interviews entirely in Welsh and took no questions in English.

It is Wales' first appearance at a World Cup in 64 years.

Last chance saloon for greats

The 2022 World Cup could be the last chance for two players to fulfil their dream of getting their hands on the famous trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have 12 Ballon D'Or trophies between them but the World Cup is the one that has managed to elude them.

Both Portugal and Argentina are fancied to do well in the tournament with both legends of the game aiming to get their hands on the trophy.

All change for football showpiece

This is the last 32-team edition of the competition.

The tournament will be expanded to 48 teams from the 2026 World Cup.

USA, Mexico and Canada will host the competition.

Even match-up with bookies

Betfair see this as an even game to kick off the tournament today.

Qatar 13/5

Draw 21/10

Ecuador 6/5

Full match odds can be found at

Wales prepare for tournament opener

Manager Rob Page has just announced that there is 'no chance' of Joe Allen featuring against the USA tomorrow.

It remains to be seen what part he will play in the tournament as a whole but they will most certainly have to do without the tenacious midfielder tomorrow.

The good news is that both Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale are training with the group after focussing on their own schedules.

Only one way to beat the traffic

Not sure it will catch on at Millwall or West Ham but it certainly seems to be the best way to get about in Al Khor.

Amiri Guards make their way across the city, ensuring everything is running as it should.

One way to weave between the gridlock on the roads for sure.

Qatar opens it arms to the world

Last night, the country really embraced its guests from all around the world as they welcomed them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

They really hit the 'wow factor' and fans were visibly in awe of the show put on for them.

The supporters of all the nations competing absorbed all the event had to offer.

A tournament to remember

Fans from the 32 nations participating seem to be getting into the spirit of things as they enjoyed the light show and festivities put on last night.

No expense seems to be spared for the level of show Qatar is looking to put on for the rest of the world.

It all seemed to be well received by the fans so far.

England hit the training pitch

Gareth Southgate has got his side training at the exact time today that their game will take place tomorrow in order to acclimatise his side to the conditions.

New is filtering through that James Maddison is not training with the group today which suggests he will miss the opener against Iran.

The Leicester midfielder met up with the squad carrying a knock but scans prior to his travelling were positive.

Fans from around the world unite

The FIFA fan festival has shown already many fans from different nations mixing and enjoying the football fiesta that is the World Cup together.

Partying well into the night, allegiances put to one side.

This is what such a global tournament should be about and we hope to see plenty more of it throughout the next 29 days.

Cat on a hot tin roof

Despite a completely new infrastructure being built to cope with the demand of hosting the world's biggest tournament, it seems things are not going according to plan.

Guardian reporter, Sean Ingle, is feeling the heat some four hours before the big kick off.

Favourites touch down in Qatar

Brazil touched down in the Middle East yesterday with much interest in the South Americans as soon as they set foot on the tarmac in the country.

Questionable choice of suits by the Brazilian FA with most being forgiven for thinking that a boyband had touched down for the tournament.

They will be hoping their form is as slick as they look put their 20 year wait to get their hands on that coveted trophy again.

Timing hitting the players hard

With the World Cup slotting into the middle of domestic league season, it has caused some physical toll on the players.

Most players have featured for their clubs as little as six days prior to the start of the tournament.

As a result, big name players have been dropping like flies and announcing they are going to miss this World Cup

Muller delight for Germans

Thomas Muller has given Germany a huge boost by resuming full training yesterday.

The legendary midfielder has been troubled by a series of injuries all season which includes back problems and a bout of COVID.

But the Bayern Munich superstar who, who has 118 caps, has just taken part in a session with his team mates for the first time since Die Mannschaft touched down in Qatar.

The four times world champions start their campaign against Japan next Wednesday.

The sight of Muller training will make Germany's rivals sit up and take notice with the tournament kicking off today when hosts Qatar take on Ecaudor.