Qatar World Cup 2022 opening ceremony: what time does it start, who performs?

The curtain finally comes up on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the opening ceremony preceding the inaugural game as host nation Qatar face La Tri from Ecuador.

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The event was initially supposed to get underway tomorrow (Monday) but back in August, the organising body decided to change the opening game (initially schedule to be Netherlands-Senegal) so as the host nation could secure their place in the spotlight so now, Al Annabi, as the Qatari side are known will face the South Americans at the spectacular Al Bayt Stadium located just outside Al Khor in the north of the peninsula.

Opening ceremony performers

The 30-minute show gets underway at 5:30 p.m. local time, which is 9:30 a.m. ET, and will include tributes to the 32 competing teams. The top billing spot goes to Jung Kook of South Korea pop sensation BTS with the official World Cup song ‘Dreamers’ with local Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi expected to form a key part of the event.

The match between Qatar and Ecuador will kick off at 7:00 p.m. local time, 11:00 a.m. ET.

Along with hundreds of performers, FIFA World Cup Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah and Qatari singer Dana will encourage dialogue on inclusion and diversity.

Other musical ‘surprises’ are planned with rumours suggesting to US rapper Lil Baby and Black Eyed Peas earmarked to make musical cameos at the Al Bayt Stadium.

A showing of high profile dignitaries such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be among the political leaders arriving in Doha ahead of the opening ceremony. The U.N. secretary general António Guterres and Algeria’s president will be among foreign dignitaries.

Qatar and FIFA hope the spotlight will turn to action on the pitch after facing mounting criticism over foreign workers’ rights, LGBT rights and social restrictions.