Sunday 20 November 2022 01:53 PM FIFA World Cup 2022 opening ceremony to kick off trends now
A World Cup shrouded in controversy prepares to kick off tonight with a glitzy opening ceremony as hosts Qatar look to beat Ecuador in the tournament opener and sweep aside the criticism which has dogged the showcase event.
The streets around stadiums and in Doha city centre have been uncharacteristically quiet in recent days, particularly given the imminent kick off of the world's greatest football festival which would typically see fans filling the streets in anticipation.
But supporters are now arriving at the Al Bayt stadium ahead of this afternoon's opening match under a glaring sun in temperatures in excess of 30 degrees celsius.
Qatari men in crisp white thobes and women in black shayla headdresses and abayhas were seen filing into the stadium, which has been designed to look like the tents used by nomads.
They were accompanied by Ecuador fans, many of whom donned extravagant headdresses, balaclavas and masks and carried their national flags.
The atmosphere appeared friendly, with both sets of fans stopping to snap photos together outside the stadium's entry gates.
Before the first match gets underway at 4pm, fans can expect to witness a major firework display, live music performances and much more.
Bollywood star Nora Fatehi is expected to perform the World Cup single 'Light The Sky' with Jung Kook of K-Pop sensations BTS confirmed.
Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares are in town to show off the official tournament song 'Tukoh Taka'.
Qatar and Ecuador fans are seen posing for pictures outside the Al Bayt stadium ahead of the World Cup's opening match tonight
Ecuador fans are seen outside the Al Bayt stadium before the match against hosts Qatar which kicks off at 4pm
Qatar supporters roller blade along the road outside the Al Bayt stadium waving national flags ahead of tonight's opening match
Fans of Ecuador pose for a picture as they arrive at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on November 20, 2022, before the kick-off match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament between Qatar and Ecuador
Qatar's supporters wave a flag as they arrive at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor
Fans of Ecuador pose for a picture as they arrive at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on November 20, 2022, before the kick-off match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament between Qatar and Ecuador
Fans of Ecuador queue to get into the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha
Supporters pose for selfies inside the Al Bayt stadium ahead of the opening ceremony
Fans of Canada pose for a picture with fans of Qatar as they arrive at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha, on November 20, 2022
As host of the Middle East's first World Cup, the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is expected to welcome a star-studded guest list of celebrities and political leaders including Saudi Arabia's crown prince and the presidents of Egypt and Algeria.
Many of the labourers who toiled to build the eight stadiums will watch
