FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar inaugurates Al Bayt Stadium, Stadium 974 stages first match
The HinduWith less than a year to go for the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar on Tuesday threw open the doors of the Al Bayt Stadium on the occasion of the Arab Cup opener between the host nation and Bahrain. The alluring stadium, which will play host to the opening Qatar 2022 game as well, pays homage to Middle Eastern hospitality, having been modelled on the bayt al sha’ar - traditional nomadic tents in the Gulf region. Grandiose ceremony While His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced the tournament open, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, too, could be seen enjoying the light and sound show during a grandiose opening ceremony, complete with 3D hologram projections and live and virtual performances by several celebrities including the legendary Lebanese singer, Fairuz. First of its kind The 40,000-seater Stadium 974 also hosted its first game on Tuesday, where the United Arab Emirates beat Syria 2-1 in an Arab Cup fixture.