Sheikh Mohammed attends opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who attended the ceremony in the presence of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, heads of states, and senior officials.

.@HHShkMohd attends the official opening ceremony of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 https://t.co/pmN7pDq7kL pic.twitter.com/cBmbM50jiF

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 20, 2022

Sheikh Mohammed and the Dubai Crown Prince were received in Doha by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Emir of Qatar, along with several ministers and senior officials, official news agency WAM reported.

The opening ceremony was at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, which also hosted the debut match between Qatar and Ecuador. Two goals from striker Enner Valencia sealed the win for Ecuador against the host country.

Read: Breaking new ground: The impact and legacy of the FIFA World Cup

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Qatar’s leadership and its people on the inauguration of the mega event. The UAE Prime Minister said Qatar’s successful hosting of the tournament is an achievement for the Arab world in general and a valuable addition to the Gulf region’s sporting landscape.

Sheikh Mohammed was also accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

شهدت اليوم حفل افتتاح كأس العالم .. لحظات تاريخية تعيشها منطقتنا مع الحدث الأهم عالمياً .. الدوحة ستكون عاصمة الرياضة العالمية لمدة شهر من اليوم.. حفظها الله …ووفق شعبها وقيادتها لكل نجاح وسداد .. pic.twitter.com/yVeEdf4tGU

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) November 20, 2022