IN PICS | Qatar 2022 opening day, ceremony and match

A general interior view during the opening ceremony to the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on November 20 2022.
Image: Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images

The 2022 Qatar World Cup began with its opening ceremony at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday, which was followed by the opening match where the hosts lost 2-0 to Ecuador.

This is how Qatar 2022's opening day unfolded in pictures:

Amiri Guards wearing assault rifles are seen outside the stadium prior to the World opening ceremony and Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium.
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A performer is seen outside Al Bayt stadium prior to the World Cup openin ceremony and match between Qatar and Ecuador.
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Fans arrive at the tent-shaped Al Bayt Stadium prior to the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony and openin match between Qatar and Ecuador .
Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images

France 1998 World Cup winner Marcel Desailly brings out the Fifa World Cup trophy prior to the Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium.
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Performers during the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.
Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Inflatable mascots of previous World Cups, including South Africa 2010's Zakumi, during the opening ceremony to the 2022 World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar.
Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

US actor Morgan Freeman performs in the Wolrd Cup opening ceremony.
Image: Richard Sellers/Getty Images

Dancers during the opening ceremony to World Cup Qatar 2022.
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Performers during the World Cup opening ceremony.
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A general view of the World Cup opening ceremony.
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Qatar fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere prior to the Fifa World Cup's opening game, the Group A fixture between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium.
Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images

An inflatable World Cup trophy with fire ahead of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 opening match, the Group A fixture where Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0, at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on November 20 2022.
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A fan of Ecuador during the World Group A match against Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium.
Image: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Enner Valencia of Ecuador heads to score his side's second goal in their 2-0 World Cup Group A win against hosts Qatar in the tournament opening game at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20 2022.
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Ecuador celebrate Enner Valencia's second goals against hosts Qatar.
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A dejected Bassam Al-Rawi of Qatar during their 2-0 defeat Fifa World Cup Qatar openign game agianst Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium.
Image: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Fireworks during the opening ceremony.
Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images