World Cup 2022: 30-minute opening ceremony becomes political, Qatar announces

Status: 12:19 p.m | Reading time: 5 minutes

PAccording to the organizers, ara athlete Ghanim Al-Muftah and the Qatari singer Dana should stimulate a dialogue about “inclusion and diversity” at the opening ceremony of the World Cup. Fifa announced this a few hours before the start of the tournament with the host team’s game against Ecuador on Sunday (5 p.m. CET / ZDF and MagentaTV).

Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi and South Korean pop star Jung Kook, who will present the official World Cup song “Dreamers”, will also be guests in the 30-minute show at Al Bait Stadium. “The theme of the opening ceremony is gathering all people, bridging differences between humanity, respect and inclusion,” FIFA said.

At the opening ceremony, the many political issues surrounding the tournament – ​​such as human rights issues and dealing with queer fans – will be discussed. “There will definitely be attention and answers for all the topics that are currently being discussed,” creative director Marco Balich previously told the AP news agency.

Pop singer Dua Lipa (“Cold Heart”) recently clarified that she has no plans to perform at the controversial World Cup in Qatar and pointed to the human rights situation in the country. The 27-year-old Briton responded to speculation that she would sing at the opening ceremony in Qatar next Sunday. “I look forward to visiting Qatar when the country has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it was named to host the World Cup,” the pop star shared.

11:51 am: Australia’s attacker Boyle is out

France’s first World Cup opponent in Qatar also has to lament the loss of an important player shortly before the opening match. Martin Boyle was dropped from the squad for the Australian team in Doha, the association announced on Sunday. Despite the best efforts of the team’s doctors, a knee injury left coach Graham Arnold no choice.

“He was an important part of our trip to Qatar and we thank him for everything he did during that time,” said Arnold of the 29-year-old forward from Scotland’s Hibernian FC. Boyle also played in the summer playoff match that Australia won against Peru on penalties in Doha. He is replaced by Melbourne City FC’s Marco Tilio, 21. The Australians will start the game against defending champions France, who have been severely weakened in terms of personnel and who also had to report striker Karim Benzema’s World Cup elimination on Saturday.

11:03 a.m .: First direct flight from Israel to the World Cup in Qatar started

According to the departure announcement, the first direct charter flight from Israel to Qatar took off on Sunday for the World Cup. In total, the Cyprus airline Tus offers six flights from Tel Aviv to Doha and back. The Israeli team did not qualify for the World Cup. The world football association Fifa had already announced the agreement on direct flights for Israelis and Palestinians. The prerequisite is a fan ID, which is required for entry to Qatar, and a valid flight ticket for travel to and from the country.

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Israel and Qatar do not have diplomatic relations. According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, the agreement should also make consular services possible for Israelis during the World Cup. It is expected that several thousand Israeli fans will travel to Qatar. Israel has warned its citizens to abide by the rules in the Arab country. The Foreign Ministry, for example, recommended that fans not openly show their Israeli identity. It also warned of penalties for drinking alcohol in public.

10:21 a.m .: Brazil becomes world champion, calculate mathematicians

Various mathematicians and stochastics created models before the World Cup to calculate the new world champion. While the percentages differ, the bottom line, according to calculations by the University of Oxford, data company Nielsen and football statistics experts at We Global Football, is the same: Brazil lift the trophy and become world champions for the sixth time.

In all three scenarios there is a Superclasico in the semifinals, which Brazil wins against Argentina. This was followed twice (Oxford, Nielsen) by a final win over Belgium and once over Portugal. The German team of national coach Hansi Flick is eliminated in all three calculation tables in the round of 16. After second place in the group behind Spain, a defeat against Belgium is expected for the 2014 world champion.

9:55 a.m .: Reus is hoping for a comeback in January

Marco Reus has digested his renewed injury-related cancellation of a major tournament reasonably well and is confident about his comeback in the new year. “Basically, it hurts a lot not to be at the World Cup. I did everything for it, but there were a few complications. I’ve had the ankle injury for too long and should have been fit again long ago. I may have started too early to get my rhythm back,” said the captain of Borussia Dortmund on Sunday the TV station BILD.

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“It’s part of competitive sport. I’m basically a positive person and I’ll deal with it sensibly,” said the 33-year-old. “Reus is not ruling out the possibility of participating in the 2024 European Championships in Germany either. “One should never say never. But a lot can happen before then. I’m open to everything.” But for now, full recovery and sensible rehabilitation are the priority. His goal: On January 2nd, in top form and without pain, to prepare for the second part of the Bundesliga season.

9:17 a.m .: Moukoko sees himself as a trainee

Youssoufa Moukoko initially sees himself in the role of the learner at his first World Cup. “I’m happy about tips, I can learn from the best here,” said Borussia Dortmund’s talented striker. Moukoko celebrates his 18th birthday this Sunday. As a gift, he would like “three points” for the DFB team in Wednesday’s first group game against Japan.

In training on Saturday you could see how Bayern attackers Thomas Müller (33), who is contesting his fourth World Cup tournament, exchanged ideas intensively with Moukoko on the pitch. “I’m happy to be fighting for the title with the boys,” said the youngster.