World Cup 2022 opening ceremony glitzy with Morgan Freeman and Jung Kook
The 2022 World Cup kicked off on Sunday with a visually impressive opening ceremony at Al-Bayt Stadium ahead of the tournament's first match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
American actor Freeman featured in the festivities alongside Qatari YouTuber Ghanim Al-Muftah.
South Korean pop star Jung Kook sang Dreamers, the tournament song, alongside Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi at the stadium in Al Khor.
With just under 90 minutes remaining untitournament's opening match, the ceremony started with Oscar-winning actor Freeman narrating a video about football's ability to unite.
The build-up to the first World Cup to be held in a Muslim country in the Middle East has been overshadowed by several controversies, including the deaths of migrant workers and the treatment of LGBT people in Qatar.
"Everyone is welcome," Freeman told the crowd.
One of the dance routines featured giant walking kits of the 32 teams competing in the tournament and the mascots of previous World Cups alongside La'eeb, the 2022 mascot.
Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi performed together before Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani delivered the opening speech in Arabic.
"People of different races, nationalities, creeds and orientations will gather here in Qatar and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments," the emir told the crowd.
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