The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, held yesterday at Al Bayt Stadium, has drawn the attention of international media for the unprecedented preparation and organisation of the event.
International media described the ceremony as 'historic' as it has stirred wide interaction among football enthusiasts, pointing to the organisers' keenness on promoting rapprochement among nations and overcoming differences through humanitarianism and respect.
Deutsch Press Agency (DPA), said that Qatar has organised a dazzling opening ceremony to the 22nd Football World Cup, pointing to the various numbers that blended Qatari tradition with international modernity.
In a report on the ceremony, DPA highlighted His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's assertion that Qatar has made strenuous efforts to organise one of the most successful tournaments in the history of the World Cup, and his hope that the whole world would witness a dazzling football festival on the land of Doha. The agency praised the ceremony that featured different musical and traditional performances.
Meanwhile, the French news agency underlined His Highness the Amir's words where he said that people of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments, highlighting His Highness's words saying how beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time.
The French agency reported that following an opening ceremony that began with Quranic verses about rapprochement between peoples, and featured legendary actor Morgan Freeman and recalling the previous World Cup editions, His Highness the Amir said, "Starting this evening, and for 28 days, we will follow, with the whole world, God willing, the great football festival, in this open space for human and civilised communication." It further praised the 30-minute ceremony that featured international artists, blended traditionalism with modernity and celebrated the 32 participating teams as well as the host nations of the previous editions.
The French agency also noted that a few hours before the kick-off of the world's largest football event for the first time in an Arab and Muslim country, the air was heated with enthusiasm in the center of Doha, with the influx of fans from around the globe, adding that along the road leading to Al Bayt Stadium, which is inspired by the traditional tent, Qatari flags were raised at the entrances of homes and from the windows of cars.
The Independent Newspaper confirmed in a report on the opening ceremony that Qatar has given the World Cup an Arab taste, praising the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which was hosted at Al Bayt Stadium, which is inspired by the Bedouin heritage tent.
The newspaper noted the lining up of Arab horses outside Al Bayt Stadium, as well as art performances that combine Arab traditions and global culture, as well as honouring all teams participating in the tournament and host countries for previous editions of the tournament and volunteers.
The newspaper highlighted the welcome of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at the opening of the tournament of all participants and followers of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where His Highness said, "From Qatar, from an Arab country, I welcome everyone to the World Cup 2022. We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments. We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity. Finally, we have reached the opening day, the day that you have been eagerly waiting for." For its part, CNN Arabic, described the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as historic, noting that the ceremony held at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor city, captured the world's attention and was also centred on the rapprochement of all peoples, overcoming differences, through humanity and respect.
Also, CNN Arabic praised the segments of the ceremony, which saw verses from the Holy Quran recited by the Qatari youth, Ghanim Al Muftah, in addition to the presence of the renowned American actor, Morgan Freeman, stressing that the opening ceremony sparked a wide interaction in the media, among the audiences and football fans around the world.
The French channel France 24 broadcasted a report titled, "World Cup 2022... the Amir of Qatar welcomes everyone at the opening ceremony which blended the Qatari traditions and global culture," noting the opening of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Bayt Stadium in the presence of 60,000 spectators, led by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who delivered a speech welcoming the attendees and calling for benefiting from the human depth of the sports event and rejecting differences.
The channel highlighted the statement of His Highness the Amir "We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments. We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity. Finally, we have reached the opening day, the day that you have been eagerly waiting for." It also shed light on His Highness's statement, "People of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments. How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time." Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) commended the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which included paintings, folkloric performances and encouragement for each team participating in the tournament, noting that it began with an East-West dialogue represented by the Qatari youth, Ghanim Al Muftah, and the West represented by the famous American Actor Morgan Freeman. The ceremony also featured a mix of folk art paintings of the Gulf region such as exhibits and performances of different cultures around the world.
For its part, Jordan's Petra News Agency said the opening ceremony was dazzling, employing modern technology FIFA said was being used for the first time in the World Cup.
The agency added that Qatar entered history books, writing a new chapter of the World Cup.
The Jordanian News Agency indicated that the current version of the World Cup is characterised by exceptional standards, foremost of which is the proximity of the distances between the stadiums, as all the stadiums of the tournament are located in an area that does not exceed 75 kilometres at furthest, which facilitates the movement and training of teams participating in the tournament.
For its part, the Algerian news agency said that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony saw the East, with a Qatari flavour, meet the modernity of the West. It added that the ceremony constituted a contemporary global show that presents an important message coming out of the great Arab world to the whole world, and through it an invitation was extended to meet in one unit, and to link bridges between all differences in race, culture, colour and nationality, to fill all distances with acceptance, respect and coexistence.
Anadolu Agency meanwhile said that the opening ceremony took place among festive cheers. The agency said the ceremony began with the Quran recited by Ghanim al Muftah, and a dialogue between the East-West emphasising the importance of bridging cultural differences.
