BBC decided not to broadcast the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony as Qatar 2022 got underway.
The ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha was a spectacular affair, with Morgan Freeman part of the show.
However, the BBC did not show any of the ceremony and this left football fans up and down the country baffled.
We have all the latest from Qatar as the host nation face Ecuador in the opening game of the tournament.
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It’s nearly showtime
No shortage of Ecuadoreans here in the 60,000-capacity stadium.
The yellow shirts fill half of the lower section behind one goal, with plenty more scattered around the huge bowl.
At the other end and all around them, though, the traditional white robes, the “thobe”, with predominantly white head-dresses, are absolutely everywhere.
All the real fan noise, mind, is coming in Spanish and for “La Tri”.
There’s a giant World Cup Trophy above the centre spot with two huge flags about to be unfurled. Just over Five minutes to go…
Martin Lipton in Doha
Kane to wear One Love armband
Harry Kane WILL wear the One Love armband in the Three Lions’ opener against Iran – despite a threat that he could be BOOKED for doing so.
German FA chiefs were warned that there was a possibility that any team skipper wearing the armband in defiance of Fifa’s demand to only wear the official slogan could be cautioned before the game started.
With two bookings bringing a one-match ban, such a policy could have a major impact of the tournament.
England are the first of the eight European teams committed to the policy to go into action when they kick off against Iran on Monday.
Martin Lipton in Doha
Unhappy Van Gaal
Louis van Gaal has now insisted he will not be drawn on any political issues surrounding the World Cup and has ordered his players to do the same.
Van Gaal was the most critical off all the 32 managers leading their nations into the finals about the choice of Qatar as hosts.
Back in March he said: “It’s ridiculous that the World Cup is there. Fifa says they want to develop football there. That’s bullshit. It’s about money, about commercial interests.”
But yesterday in his pre-match press conference for Holland’s game against Senegal he refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding some captains wearing the OneLove anti-discrimination armband.
Van Gaal said: “I am no longer going to speak about political issues. I am focusing on this coming match, and I put a full stop on all these issues after we invited the migrant workers to watch our practice session.
“I have requested all my players to stop doing that too because I want them to focus on football and focus on the game against Senegal.”
In full flow
The opening ceremony is well underway.
My Arabic is slightly shaky, I confess.
But I think he’s just welcomed the world to Qatar and declared the World Cup officially open.
Who do you think he’s cheering for?
Can’t see too many armbands on that dais, I must admit.
I was right: “Welcome and good luck to all,” the Emir finishes, the signal for a thunderclap of spectacular fireworks to light up the desert night sky.
Al Bayt is a giant Bedouin tent, with two honking great firepits as well outside.
But that’s it.
Quite nice but not exactly one to remember for ever.
There had been a whisper we would see Alicia Keys. We didn’t even get Richard Keys. And he lives here these days.
Oh well. Let the Games commence
Martin Lipton in Qatar
Team news
The teams have been confirmed.
Qatar XI: Al Sheeb; Al-Rawi, Khoukhi, Hassan; Miguel, Hatem, Boudiaf, Al-Haydos, Ahmed; Ali, Afif
Ecuador XI: Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Ibarra; Estrada, Valencia
It’s loud
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.
Martin Lipton in Doha
More from the opening ceremony
Way, way, way below me, on the pitch, traditionally-clad women are swaying rhythmically, creating human sand-waves, lit in gold.
The music harkens back to a distant time.
Then again, this entire nation was still sand, bedouins and pearl fishers 50 years ago.
Before they found oil, then gas, and became a nation transformed.
A nation of 300,000 Qataris – and 1.8m migrant workers – who can hold the biggest prize in sport.
Now I can see that Morgan Freeman is down on the pitch too.
Lots of talk about unity, learning from each other, bringing nations together.
“With tolerance an respect, we can live together, in one big home”.
Unless you’re gay, presumably…
You can see there’s been no expenses spared on this ceremony.
Then again, it’s been calculated that Qatar has spent £220BILLION getting to this point since the World Cup was awarded to them in 2010.
I’d want to be excited at that price.
Morgan again: “Through our different languages, there is a common thread of understanding and respect.” Mmmmm
And: cue the dancing soldiers…
Martin Lipton in Doha
Credit: AFP Opening ceremony
But first, it’s down to the opening ceremony.
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..
Martin Lipton in Doha
75 minute warning
After all the talk, we’re just one hour and 15 minutes away from the start of the World Cup.
Fans of Qatar and Ecuador are inside the ground and ready for action.
We will have team news coming shortly.
Update from outside the ground
Total chaos at Al Bayt stadium with gridlocked traffic causing mayhem and raising the prospect that thousands of fans and media will miss the opening ceremony.
Cars being stopped to allow vip’s early access has meant a huge backlog of traffic in the stadium 30 miles out of Doha in the Qatar desert.
World Cup officials and troops are equally perplexed with nobody quite sure where anybody is supposed to go.
So much for 12 years of preparation…
Martin Lipton in Doha
Booze ban hack exposed
SunSport has exposed a World Cup cover up by supporters.
This is a photo doing the rounds revealing an ingenious way to beat the stadium booze ban which has caused so much controversy.
Fans are ready
The excitement is building and supporters of both Qatar and Ecuador are beginning to arrive for the opening game of the tournament.
We’re just over two hours away from the 22nd edition of football’s greatest show and the first ever in the Middle East.
It kicks off at 7pm local time, which is 4pm in England.
Credit: AFP Maddison misses training again
Things aren’t looking good for James Maddison.
Once again he’s not part of England training and this time he hasn’t even taken part in the huddle before the work starts.
But the Foxes schemer can’t be replaced because the deadline has passed (24hours before the first game) and in any case it was an existing knee problem that he felt in the game at West Ham.
Chaos ahead of opener
The World Cup isn’t off to the best start.
Qatar against Ecuador is less than three hours away, but there’s severe traffic outside the Al Bayt Stadium.
As you can below, this was around 3pm local time, which is around four hours before the game gets underway.
Captain America
Leeds midfielder Tyler Adams has been named as USA’s captain for the World Cup.
The armband has been shared around in the lead up to the tournament, but Adams has been given the honour in Qatar.
Adams has captained the side on eight occasions previously, but not since the draw with Mexico back in March.
Living crisis reaches Qatar
The cost of living crisis has reached the desert sands of Qatar.
‘Gold’ petrol is the elite brand sold at the pumps out here in Oil land where apparently there is enough crude beneath our feet for the next 402 years.
But in a shock move the price of Gold on the forecourt has rocketed from 2 to 2.1 Rials per litre in the past few days.
That is the equivalent of going from 46p to 49p.
France won’t replace Benzema
Didier Deschamps has confirmed that he will not be calling up a replacement striker for injured superstar Karim Benzema.
The 34-year-old world player of the year has returned home after suffering a thigh strain in training yesterday and will play no part in the competition.
Deschamps said: “Of course it’s a big blow. Karim had done everything to be fit, he was in a training session and with an almost innocuous action he hurt his left thigh.
“It wasn’t even the same leg as the hamstring injury he’s had before. So it wasn’t a relapse, it was a new injury. It wasn’t even on a sprint or a kick.
“It’s never good when an injury like this happens. It doesn’t make you smile. We’d already lost Christopher Nkunku and everyone was very sad.
“But this is Karim, and unfortunately the examinations have confirmed that the tear is too big in relation to the deadlines facing us.
“So he has already left the squad and I have decided that I will not replace him because we have enough attacking players.”
Fifa not providing team-sheets
Any World Cup fans wanting Qatar 2022 team-sheets will be left disappointed – because Fifa will NOT be printing any out.
The initial team list for Brazil’s 1998 Final side against France – which did not include ronaldo – became a prized possession for collectors.
But in a break from tradition, Fifa will send ALL match information only by computer link.
Fifa’s Hans hultman said: “We’re trying to be sustainable and all the information can be downloaded.”
Martin Lipton in Doha
Wales train ahead of USA clash
Gareth Bale and co are training this morning for the final time before their meeting with USA on Monday night.
Joe Allen aside, Rob Page has a full bill of health ahead of the opener.
The Swansea City midfielder is in attendance, but isn’t fit enough to take part.
Kehrer to put West Ham woes to one side
Thilo Kehrer refuses to let Premier League struggles with West Ham dent his dreams of winning the World Cup with Germany, writes Andy Dillon.
The robust defender has played more minutes for Die Mannschaft than anyone else in the squad since Hansi Flick took over as national team boss last year.
Kehrer joined West Ham for £10.5 million in the summer and came to Qatar with The Hammers just a point off the relegation zone.
He insists it was still the ‘perfect’ move for him and looks certain to be a main part of Germany’s campaign to win a fifth World title.
“West Ham have been underperforming and we haven’t got the number of points we would have wished for. We haven’t got what we deserved.
“Nevertheless I come here brimming with confidence because I have my rhythm. While the results haven’t been there we have played reasonable football.
“It has not dented my self confidence in the least with the national team and I come here ready to contend with any of my team-mates and with any opponent.
“I am playing in the best league in the world and feel fit for the World Cup. One of the biggest reasons for signing for West Ham was to play in the Premier League and I have played in 13 Premier League games.
“I am very well prepared for whatever task is thrown at me. It was the perfect move for me.”
Wales’ World Cup debut is coming
All the focus today is on Qatar against Ecuador and then England vs Iran tomorrow.
But Wales’ first World Cup match for 64 years is also on the horizon.
The Dragons are in action on Monday at 7pm and will take a giant step towards the knockout stages with victory, especially with the Three Lions up next.
Everything you need to know about the clash is right here.
White didn’t watch Colombia shoot-out win
Ben White has revealed that England’s 2018 World Cup penalty shoot-out victory over Colombia wasn’t on the TV in his house.
When asked about his World Cup memories, the Arsenal man said: “There are not many that stick out.
“Obviously the disappointments and I remember Eric Dier’s penalty against Colombia and the feeling.
“But the game wouldn’t have been on in the house.
“I didn’t grow up watching football in my house as it wasn’t on. It’s never been in my life or my mum and dad’s.”
Lewandowski hoping to achieve dream
Robert Lewandowski says scoring at a World Cup would be a dream come true.
The Barcelona striker played at 2018 but failed to find the net in three appearances as Poland finish bottom.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think about the last World Cup for sure.
“To score at a World Cup would be a huge dream and I’m going to do everything for this dream. I hope in this World Cup it will happen.”
Sterling set to start against Iran
Raheem Sterling is expected to start England’s World Cup opener against Iran, according to the Telegraph.
The Chelsea winger has struggled following his move from Manchester City, scoring three goals in 12 Premier League outings.
Regardless, Sterling, who started all seven games at the Euros, looks set to get the nod tomorrow.
Heartbreak for Benzema
Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner suffered a muscle tear in training and will now miss the tournament.
The French football federation said: “Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup.
“After hurting the quadriceps on his left thigh, the Real Madrid striker is forced to give up on taking part in the World Cup.”
“He went for an MRI scan in a hospital in Doha, which unfortunately confirmed a tear.”
According to o L’Equipe, Anthony Martial, Wissam Ben Yedder and Moussa Diaby are the frontrunners to replace him in the squad.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
