The 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday as the world's biggest sporting event took centre stage.
Ahead of the opening game between the hosts Qatar and Ecuador (11 a.m. ET/4 p.m. GMT), the opening ceremony was held at Al Bayt Stadium, and needless to say, the social media world took notice.
ESPN senior writer Gab Marcotti was there:
Got past the camels (and camel dropping) and now watching opening ceremony. Know it's customary to make fun of these, but this is actually pretty good IMO pic.twitter.com/l90XBhu3CT
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) November 20, 2022
Former France defender Marcel Desailly paraded the World Cup trophy for the defending champions.
🏆#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/M12SGs8tXp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
Then fireworks started things off ...
Fireworks start #Qatar2022 opening ceremony at Al-Bayt stadium ahead of Qatar-Ecuador pic.twitter.com/CiYl6amNwy
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) November 20, 2022
The show begins 🎆 pic.twitter.com/BpvNHvWCpE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2022
Hollywood star Morgan Freeman -- who was a USA delegate when it lost the 2022 bid to Qatar -- made his way onto the stage to narrate the event and talk about "a common thread of hope, jubilation and respect."
Morgan Freeman at the World Cup opening ceremony! pic.twitter.com/5Yh8wp6CHQ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 20, 2022
Little was known about who would be performing, but South Korean pop sensation Jung Kook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi joined forces to sing "Dreamers."
BTS star Jung Kook performing at the World Cup ceremony! 🎶 pic.twitter.com/YdJLuFWsJ1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 20, 2022
Jung Kook of BTS performs at the opening ceremony of the World Cup 🎵 pic.twitter.com/7b9lQPRVQ4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 20, 2022
The official mascot of the 2022 World Cup, La'eeb -- an Arabic word meaning super-skilled player -- made an appearance.
La'eeb 🫶#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/BmqeDmZAET
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
As the event concluded, there were plenty of fireworks.
The fireworks are up. The opening ceremony is done.
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) November 20, 2022
The Ecuador fans can now sing again pic.twitter.com/4CKe5m0KhA
In summary ...
Four images that perfectly sums up the The World Cup Opening ceremony. 📸#TelegraphFootball #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SGpRajwa8H
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 20, 2022
