12 years after they were awarded the right to host the World Cup, Qatar’s moment finally arrived.
The path here has been fraught with controversy, from bribing FIFA officials to abusing human rights in the building of stadiums, it is without a doubt, the most controversial World Cup of all time.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and one of the ambassadors recently said it was a “damage of the mind.” So when FIFA repeats the slogan ‘everyone is welcome’ - a blatant lie - you can feel the wool being pulled over your eyes.
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The BBC, with Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Alan Shearer and Ashley Wiliams in the studio, absolutely smashed their opening.
"It's the most controversial World Cup in history and a ball hasn't been kicked,” Lineker began. “Ever since FIFA chose Qatar back in 2010, the smallest nation to have hosted football's greatest competition has faced some big questions.
"From accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums, where many lost their lives.
"Homosexuality is illegal here, women's rights and freedom of expression are in the spotlight, also the decision six years ago to switch the World Cup from summer to winter.
"Against that backdrop is a tournament to be played, one that will be watched and enjoyed around the world.
"Stick to football say Fifa, well we will for a couple of minutes at least."
For the first half an hour, there were deep discussions on all the big issues. From the deaths of migrant workers to the exclusion of LGBTQ+ people, human rights were at the front and centre of the discussion points. Shearer even went in on FIFA President Gianni Infantino - who delivered the most awful speech yesterday.
“No you're not and you never will be; you're on £1.5m a year.”
"Today I feel Qatari,” Infantino began. “Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel (like) a vagrant. Today I feel (like) a migrant worker," he said. “I know what it means to be discriminated [against].”
It was the speech of a madman, who once again begged the media not to criticise Qatar, but instead offered himself up as a target. Okay Gianni, you’re a complete muppet. How's that? The opening game of a World Cup is meant to be a show of celebration as the host nation kick off the tournament in style, but this time, the issue of what had gone before could not be ignored.
The opening ceremony was a who’s who of men without morals. We all knew David Beckham has gone all out in his role as Qatari ambassador and turned his back on the gay community, but seeing Morgan Freeman narrating the whole thing was bizarre. His pay cheque must have been huge to take this gig but one of Hollywood’s biggest names sullied his name.
Clearly Qatar ‘Unleashed’ ‘The Contract’ and even ‘Under Suspicion’ Freeman wanted to tick this off his ‘Bucket List’. Along with Freeman, the FIFA president Infantino revelled in his role as the man who has helped bring the World Cup to Qatar.
As the curtain raised on the biggest sporting event on the planet, the issues that have brought us to this stage were pushed into the spotlight.
