Qatar’s DOHA: Finally starting Sunday night with a dazzling opening ceremony and a match between Qatar and Ecuador without any beer being sold inside the stadium, the first World Cup in the Middle East got underway.
The most contentious hiccup for a world event already under fire for Qatar’s human rights record and the emirates’ attempt to prepare the country for the minor World Cup in history was the beer ban that was implemented two days before the start of the competition.
And as tens of thousands of supporters pressed up against police lines to access the stadium as Qatar lost its opening match against Ecuador 2-0, the fan zone in central Doha descended into chaos. Fans were attempting to enter the enclosed space with large screens where they could watch matches and purchase alcohol.
With a population of 3 million, the majority of whom are migrant workers, Qatar is an energy-rich nation around the size of Connecticut or Jamaica that has spent more than $200 billion on renovations. Seven new specially constructed venues have been added, including the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium, which held the opening ceremony and the opening game on Sunday.
Because it is the host country, Qatar is appearing on the world stage for the first time, but it could not stop Ecuador captain Enner Valencia, who scored both goals in the first half.
INJURIES
Before the competition had started, two of the top players in the world were forced to withdraw due to injuries.
The Ballon d’Or-winning striker from France, Karim Benzema, is out after suffering an injury to his left thigh on Saturday. Sadio Mane of Senegal, who finished second to Karim Benzema in the world player of the year poll, is sidelined with a leg injury sustained last week while playing for Bayern Munich.
Before this, Germany attacker Timo Werner and France midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were both out. Romelu Lukaku of Belgium and Son Heung-min of South Korea arrived in Qatar with ongoing injuries.
SHOOT ME THE CASH
FIFA reported a record income of $7.5 billion in the four years of commercial arrangements connected to this year’s tournament, proving that awarding the World Cup to Qatar was financially advantageous.
