The main event
It was only in August this year that Fifa switched the tournament opener to Qatar v Ecuador, instead of Netherlands v Senegal. The change is in line with a long-standing tradition of the first matches involving either the hosts or reigning champions. So, now we have the curtain-raising opening ceremony followed by Qatar kicking things off, here are 10 things to look out for as the tournament begins:
1) A spectacular opening ceremony
With Qatar having been heavily criticised in the leadup to the tournament and resources seemingly limitless, one would imagine they won’t miss the open goal of putting on a fireworks display for the ages and perhaps a snazzy drone show to divert attention away from the stories beyond the football.
2) Musicians who took the money
Rod Stewart told the Times he had turned down an offer of “over $1m” to perform in Qatar and Dua Lipa said she would only play there if the nation improved its human rights record. With reputations on the line, which globally renowned artists will pitch up to perform?
3) Expect to be blown away …
… by the pitchside air-conditioning. The Al Bayt Stadium is expected to be 30C on Sunday – a little cooler than in recent days – but still expect to see the odd sight of huge grey machines pumping cool air into the arena while the match is under way.
4) A close opening match
Qatar have been given the most favourable Group A opener they could hope for. Ecuador are ranked only six places above the hosts but haven’t scored in their past three matches (all 0-0 draws). We could get a match which lifts the spirit of the underdog hosts, rather than crushing it.
5) Interest for Brighton fans
Moises Caicedo is Ecuador’s star player while the rampaging left-back Pervis Estupiñán was a driving force in their qualification campaign. Both have been in fine form for Brighton this year and their performances could swing the balance of the opening game. The midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento completes a trio of Seagulls representing La Tri at this World Cup.
6) An official matchball with AI-powered technology
The Al Rihla features a time-precise motion sensor to track every touch of the game at a rate of “500 times per second”, which is supposed to speed up VAR calls. Here’s hoping. We’re imagining the shop-bought replica won’t be so smart, though.
7) A stadium like no other
There can’t be many 60,000-capacity football stadiums that look like tents. The Al Bayt Stadium, 40km north of Doha, is certainly eyecatching and its design is a tribute to the hospitality of Qatar’s forefathers, who would welcome weary travellers into their tents. But let’s not forget how it was built.
8) Akram Afif
Qatar’s star player is a product of Doha’s Aspire Academy and a genuine livewire talent. The left winger loves nothing more than to take on defenders and was voted the 2019 Asian Footballer of the Year. If the hosts comes to life expect Afif to be the spark.
9) Support for LGBTQ+ Qataris … on social media
It is unlikely we will see support for the nation’s LGBTQ+ community in the Al Bayt Stadium but campaigns are under way online to highlight the plight of the hidden population of gay Qataris when the hosts play. Among them the Proud Maroons, led by Nas Mohamed, who says he is the first openly gay Qatari, and wants LGBTQ+ Qatar fans on social media to join the “LGBTQ+ National Football Supporters’ Group that Qatar never wanted” and be loud and proud when the Maroons are in action.
10) ‘Now is All’
Expect to see the official World Cup slogan getting a good show. Its message appears to be a call for critics to just stick to football and forget how this World Cup came to be. Not likely.
Talking points
Age is but a (squad) number
The Netherlands begin their campaign on Monday against Senegal and their manager, Louis van Gaal, was characteristically quirky when asked how he assigned his squad numbers. “In general I discuss that with the players . Not now. I gave the players a number that fits their age,” he said. “That’s no joke. I never tell jokes at a press conference.” It seems a smart way to avoid bruising an ego though Matthijs de Ligt, 23, wearing the No 3 shirt alongside Virgil van Dijk, 31, wearing No 4 suggests Van Gaal was playing fast and loose with his own rule.
Germany’s teenage sensation
At the age of just 17, Youssoufa Moukoko is carrying great expectations after being included in Hansi Flick’s Germany squad. Asked which former strikers he hoped to emulate, Moukoko – born in 2004 – said he could only recall watching Miroslav Klose. “I have seen videos from him. The others I was not even there,” said the Dortmund forward, who turns 18 on Sunday. “I am here because the coach believes I can help the team,” Moukoko added. “I will give it all and enjoy it.” Reuters
Messi’s shirt could be Cash magnet
The Slough-born Aston Villa defender Matty Cash is expected to make his World Cup bow for Poland against Mexico on Tuesday, with their final Group C game against Argentina. Cash’s Villa teammate, Emi Martínez, is likely to start for the group heavyweights and Cash is hoping the keeper can save him a souvenir. “I asked him for Messi’s shirt, if that’s possible,” Cash revealed. The full-back could always ask Messi himself at full-time, although perhaps he doesn’t fancy getting close enough. Reuters
Beyond the football
“Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel [like] a migrant worker. Of course I am not Qatari, I am not an Arab, I am not African, I am not gay, I am not disabled. But I feel like it, because I know what it means to be discriminated [against], to be bullied, as a foreigner in a foreign country. As a child I was bullied – because I had red hair and freckles, plus I was Italian, so imagine.”
The start of Gianni Infantino’s press conference on Saturday is essential if deeply uncomfortable viewing, and it didn’t get much better from the Fifa president in a bizarre 57-minute attack on critics of the World Cup. Sean Ingle has more.
We spent the night in a fan village near Lusail Stadium. Guests slowly checking in to find they can’t buy drinking water without a wristband. It’s 30 degrees. Nearest shop an hour walk. No one knows where the wristbands are. We’re told the festival is meant to kick off at 6.30pm pic.twitter.com/Fi7DPXqnrq
— Rhia Chohan (@rhiachohan) November 19, 2022
At one stage, Infantino pleaded with assembled reporters to “let people enjoy the World Cup”. Judging by these pictures of a fan village, taken by the BBC reporter Rhia Chohan, he may be asking the wrong people.
Castillo’s passport problem
The Ecuador player who has made most headlines in the buildup will not be in Qatar at all. Byron Castillo has been the subject of a legal battle over his true nationality, with Chile among the rival nations to claim the right-back is actually from Colombia. The claim was dismissed by the court of arbitration for sport, but Ecuador were handed a three-point penalty for 2026 qualifying because the documents used to obtain an Ecuadorian passport for Castillo contained false information. To avoid further controversy, Ecuador’s football federation decided not to include Castillo in the World Cup squad – a decision criticised by their coach. “Byron should have been with us,” Gustavo Alfaro has said. As first-choice right-back, Castillo has played a key role in a defence that has not conceded a goal in six friendlies. “We are hurt because we know it’s unfair,” the head coach said. “We did everything straight.” Reuters
And finally …
Qatar v Ecuador is not a fixture likely to tantalise neutrals, or take the spotlight away from the tournament’s many controversies. Tournament organisers (and Infantino) might hope for a repeat of the two sides’ most recent meeting. Qatar won that Doha friendly 4-3 in 2018, with Almoez Ali on target twice for the World Cup hosts.
