THE WORLD CUP has kicked off with hosts Qatar vs Ecuador taking place RIGHT NOW!But fans in the UK have fumed with BBC after the TV channel did NOT show the entire opening ceremony.
The Middle Eastern side face the South Americans as they look to gain an early foothold in Group A, which also contains Senegal and the Netherlands.
The Qataris had never qualified for a World Cup before, but are the current Asian champions so will expect to put up a good fight in front of their own fans.
Qatar vs Ecuador kick-off time: 4pm
TV channel: BBC One
Live stream: BBC website
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Qatar 0-0 Ecuador
5. The free kick is lofted into the box and the keeper came for it and didn’t make it at all.
The ball is kept alive and played into the six yard box.
Valencia is there to head home his fourth ever World Cup goal.
Amazingly it has been ruled out for offside.
Loud cheer from the home fans.
Goal – Enner Valencia (Ecuador)
Qatar 0-0 Ecuador
3. Free kick is given to Ecuador, Caicedo was caught late.
He is back up on his feet, walking a little gingerly.
Chance for them to put a ball into the Qatar penalty box.
Qatar 0-0 Ecuador
1. The hosts decide to kick-off before the in-stadium countdown ends.
Looking to play the ball directly, testing the Ecuador defenders.
It is all a bit scrappy in the opening exchanges.
Kick-off: Qatar vs Ecuador
We are ready to go in the Al Bayt Stadium.
It is a 60,000 sell-out here today.
Qatar kick off, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is underway.
The one that they all want
We are moments away from the kick-off of the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup.
The hosts walk out to standing ovations from their fans who have already been in the ground three hours before kick-off.
As the national anthems of both sides are played, we edge closer to the tournament we have all been craving.
Credit: Reuters
Ecuador tipped as dark horses
Brazil manager Tite has tipped Ecuador as his dark horses for the 2022 World Cup.
Having drawn with his side on the last two meetings, Tite’s side have struggled to get one over their fellow South Americans.
Qatar will be hoping they can prove him wrong today.
Credit: Getty
Ecuador subs:
4. Arboleda, 5. Cifuentes, 6. Pacho, 8. Gruezo, 9. Preciado, 12. Ramírez, 14. Arreaga, 15. Mena, 16. Sarmiento, 18. Palacios, 21. Franco, 22. Domínguez, 24. Reasco, 25. Porozo, 26. Rodríguez
Ecuador starting XI:
1. Galíndez, 17. Preciado, 2. Torres, 3. Hincapié, 7. Estupiñán, 19. Plata, 20. Méndez, 23. Caicedo, 10. Ibarra, 13. E Valencia, 11. Estrada
Qatar subs:
4. Jadoua Al Bayati, 5. Odeh, 7. Abdelmotaal, 8. Thaimn Qambar, 9. Muntari, 13. Djebril Mohamed, 17. Mohammad, 18. Mazeed, 20. Al Hajri, 21. Ali, 22. Barsham, 23. Al Haj Madibo, 24. Al Hadhrami, 25. Abdulsallam, 26. Meshaal
Qatar starting XI:
1. Al Sheeb, 15. Al Rawi, 16. Khoukhi, 3. Al Haj Fadlalla, 2. Carvalho Deus Correia, 12. Boudiaf, 6. Mohammed Abdullah, 14. Ahmed, 10. Al Haydos, 19. Abdulla, 11. Afif
Fans ready for the football
An impressive opening ceremony has built the excitement with the fans for the festival of football to begin.
Supporters of both teams are making themselves heard.
It is a sea of colour in the Al Bayt Stadium.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Qatar readying themselves for debut
Felix Sanchez Bas’s men are competing on the biggest international stage for the first time in their history.
While Ecuador will make their return to the World Cup finals after an eight-year absence.
Qatar are aiming to become the first World Cup debutants to win their opening match since Senegal beat then defending champions France in 2002.
Ecuador players wait in the tunnel, tensions building for kick off.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
Spectacle for the eye to see
As explosions go off all around us, the firework display is something to behold.
The entire stadium lit up by the display, lighting the night sky.
Stadium filling for the opening game
It is almost reaching fever-pitch in the stadium now as we edge ever closer to kick off.
This has been some ten years in the waiting for the people of Qatar.
In and around the ground you can feel the excitement.
Credit: Getty
Firework display
Fireworks have exploded during the opening ceremony.
Let’s hope for fireworks on the pitch as the first match of the tournament will do well to live up to the opening ceremony.
It’s been quite the event in the packed out Al Bayt Stadium ahead of kick-off.
La’eeb appearance
The Qatar World Cup mascot made an appearance during the opening ceremony.
The name La’eeb comes from the Arabic word meaning super-skilled player and the mascot will be seen a lot during the tournament.
Fifa have declared that everybody is invited to interpret what it looks like.
Translations now available
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.
Credit: Alamy
Ceremonies continue in Qatar
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.
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.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters
Famous faces to be seen everywhere
Here we go, then.
Al Bayt Stadium
Morgan Freeman promises us a journey over land and sea…lovely.
Credit: AP
Ceremony underway!
The World Cup opening ceremony has been brilliant.
Credit: Getty
Credit: Alamy
Credit: Getty
Credit: Getty
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..
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