FIFA World Cup 2022: Morgan Freeman and BTS’ Jung Kook headline opening ceremony
FIFA World Cup 2022 begins!
The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar provided fans around the world with a visual spectacle. The narrator in the beginning was Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman, who extended one yellow-gloved hand to a FIFA World Cup ambassador suffering from a rare spinal disorder in an image meant to represent inclusion in a country facing international criticism for its human rights record.
Onstage, Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performed a new tournament song called Dreamers.
Additionally, Qatar’s ruler then declared the World Cup open, urging people of all races and sexual orientations to put aside their differences.
How social media reacted on the FIFA world cup 2022
The opening ceremony was held at Al Bayt Stadium ahead of the first game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador (11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT), and the social media world took notice.
Gab Marcotti, an ESPN senior writer, was present:
Morgan Freeman, who was a delegate for the United States when it lost the 2022 bid to Qatar, took the stage to narrate the event and speak about “a common thread of hope, jubilation, and respect.”
As the event concluded, there were plenty of fireworks.
The ban on Alcohol at FIFA during the games
The Qatari royal family decided to ban alcohol inside stadiums just two days before the tournament began on Friday. Following discussions with the hosts, FIFA announced that beer would not be sold to fans near any of the eight World Cup stadiums.
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According to reports, fans can purchase alcohol in fan zones, and individuals are limited to four drinks each. Alcohol is also available in the stadium’s hospitality boxes.
According to FIFA, beer sales would be concentrated in fan zones and licenced venues, “removing beer sales points from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters.” It gave no reason for the unexpected decision, but media reports said Qatar’s ruling family intervened.
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Following the decision’s announcement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated on Saturday that World Cup fans can go three hours without beer after sales were prohibited around stadiums. “I personally believe that if you cannot drink a beer for three hours a day, you will survive,” he said at his opening press conference in Doha. “The same is true in France, Spain, and Scotland,” Mr Infantino continued.
The game: Hosts Qatar lose 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening World Cup match, as Enner Valencia scores both goals.
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