World Cup Gets Underway with Welcome from Qatar’s Ruler 

A FIFA World Cup trophy replica is pictured on the pitch ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (AFP)
A FIFA World Cup trophy replica is pictured on the pitch ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (AFP)
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World Cup Gets Underway with Welcome from Qatar’s Ruler 

A FIFA World Cup trophy replica is pictured on the pitch ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (AFP)
A FIFA World Cup trophy replica is pictured on the pitch ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (AFP)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani opened the World Cup on Sunday with a call for people of all races and orientations to put aside their differences. 

"People of all races, nationalities, beliefs and orientations will gather here in Qatar and around screens across the continents to share in the exciting moments," he said in a speech in a tent-shaped stadium. 

"How lovely it is that people can put aside what divides them to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time." 

Sheikh Tamim arrived at the stadium flanked by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, to a roaring crowd, and took their seats alongside other Arab leaders. 

A show then unfolded on the pitch, featuring three camels, American actor Morgan Freeman and a performance of a new tournament song called Dreamers featuring singer Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi. 

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and the rulers of Türkiye and Algeria, as well as the United Nations Secretary-General, were among leaders at the stadium ahead of the first match between the hosts and Ecuador. 

Inside Al Bayt Stadium many seats were still vacant with gridlock on the expressway leading to the arena. Cheers went up as Qatar's team appeared for their opening match. 

For the first time, a direct commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Doha landed in Qatar on Sunday despite the absence of formal bilateral ties, in a deal brokered by FIFA to carry both Palestinians and Israelis to the tournament. 

The Gulf state's Deputy Prime Minister Khalid Al-Attiyah, in remarks on state media, said Qatar was reaping benefits of years of "hard work and sound planning". 

Throngs of fans were already arriving in Qatar, but the main rush will be later this week. 

Argentina fan Julio Cesar though said he expected a great atmosphere.  

Visitors soaked up the atmosphere at the FIFA Fan Festival in central Doha. Outside the city's edges, hundreds of workers gathered in a sports arena in an industrial zone. They can watch matches there, priced out of the stadiums many toiled to build along with other infrastructure for the event. 

Crowd control will be key with some 1.2 million visitors expected - more than a third of Qatar's population. 

Workers were putting final touches to Doha's landscape, including draping a purple tarpaulin over an unfinished building near the stadium where the final will be held. 

At Lagoona Mall, residents were going about their business. 

"I came now because I don't know how bad the traffic will be later this week," said Egyptian woman Esraa, out grocery shopping. 



Sinner Eyes Golden Era after Wimbledon Glory

Italy's Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Italy's Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
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Sinner Eyes Golden Era after Wimbledon Glory

Italy's Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
Italy's Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title on Sunday. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP

Jannik Sinner has warned Carlos Alcaraz that he will get even stronger after beating his arch-rival to win his first Wimbledon title on Sunday.

Sinner avenged an agonizing French Open final loss against Alcaraz as he battered the Spaniard into submission with a dynamic display of power hitting on Center Court.

The Italian's 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory ended Alcaraz's two-year reign as Wimbledon champion and gave Sinner his fourth Grand Slam crown.

Sinner has reached the last four Grand Slam finals, winning three of them, and the world number one has no intention of resting on his laurels.

"I don't think I'm at my best because at 23 I don't think you can be in your best shape ever. So hopefully I can keep improving," he said.

"I keep looking up to Carlos because even today I felt like he was doing couple of things better than I did.

"That's something we will work on and prepare ourselves because he's going to come for us again.

"We have a big target on us, so we have to be prepared."

It was a cathartic triumph for Sinner after he squandered a two-set lead and blew three championship points against Alcaraz at Roland Garros in June.

Alcaraz had won five successive encounters against the 23-year-old, including finals in Paris, Rome and Beijing, prior to their showdown at the All England Club.

Sinner admitted it was vital to finally beat the world number two for the first time since 2023.

"It is important, for sure, because you know, when you lose several times against someone, it's not easy. But in the same time in the past I felt that I was very close," he said.

"I never pushed myself down. I felt like I did something great because it has been not easy. Coming here and winning Wimbledon, it has been amazing."

'The rivalry is real'

While Sinner had spent the last five weeks publicly insisting he would not let his French Open collapse affect him, he revealed he had to work hard to move on from the loss before launching his Wimbledon challenge.

"This is the part where I'm the proudest because it really has not been easy. I always tried to be honest with myself and had the self-talk. You know, what if, what if? I tried to accept it, in a way," said Sinner, who returned from a three-month doping ban in May.

"Even if I don't cry, it feels emotional because only me and the people who are close to me know exactly what we have been through on and off the court, and it has been everything except easy.

"We've tried to push, you know, every practice session, even I was struggling at times mentally.

"That's why I also said after Roland Garros that it's not the time to put me down, no, because another Grand Slam is coming up, and I did great here."

Sinner and Alcaraz have won the past seven majors between them, establishing themselves in a class of their own.

Sinner's coach Darren Cahill expects the pair to battle for supremacy for years to come, but he stopped short of comparing it to the dynastic era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

"It's difficult to compare this rivalry to what we've just had. It's been a golden age in tennis with Novak and Roger and Rafa. They dominated for 20 years," Cahill said.

"To win a Grand Slam back in those days, you had to beat one of them in the quarters, the other one in the semis, and another one in the final.

"These guys still have a ways to go, but they've started incredibly well. Carlos is a big focus, and both of those guys are pushing each other.

"The rivalry is real. Hopefully it's going to be there for the next 10 or 12 years."