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. 



PSG Coach Luis Enrique Warns against Complacency in Club World Cup Final

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique speaks to media at a press conference at MetLife Stadium on Friday. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique speaks to media at a press conference at MetLife Stadium on Friday. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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PSG Coach Luis Enrique Warns against Complacency in Club World Cup Final

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique speaks to media at a press conference at MetLife Stadium on Friday. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique speaks to media at a press conference at MetLife Stadium on Friday. FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique on Friday urged his team to round off the best season in the club's history by winning the Club World Cup, but warned not to expect Sunday's final against Chelsea to be a "simple formality".

"This is absolutely not going to be a simple formality," the Spanish coach insisted, refusing to accept that PSG are necessarily overwhelming favorites to lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium despite their fearsome form.

"I have analyzed Chelsea. They have a great squad. Enzo Maresca is doing a great job and I really like what he is doing," Luis Enrique said. "They are a very complete team."

PSG can complete a remarkable clean sweep of trophies with victory, having won a French league and cup double before claiming the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history at the end of May.

"We want to finish this historic season in the best possible way," said the former Barcelona coach.

"Now we must open the next chapter, win more major trophies. We want to make more history by winning on Sunday."

PSG were spellbinding at times in their 4-0 victory against Real Madrid in the semi-finals and also put four goals past Atletico Madrid and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami during the competition.

"But we have to win this game to round things off. However, in a final there is always a winner and a loser, and that doesn't mean the loser has necessarily done anything wrong," Luis Enrique added.

"We will lose again at some point, because that is what happens in top-level football, but I think the path is clear for everyone."

This is the first edition of the 32-team Club World Cup, and whoever wins on Sunday will be world champions for four years, with the next tournament scheduled to take place in 2029.

"We are aware of the importance of this match, that it is a golden opportunity to be in a World Cup final," said captain Marquinhos.

"This only happens every four years, and we don't know where we will be in four years."