IN PHOTOS | FIFA World Cup host Qatar loses opening match as tournament kicks off
Tournament runs until Dec. 18; Canada to play first game Wednesday
The FIFA World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday with an opening ceremony that featured celebrities, fireworks and messages about unity, ahead of Ecuador's win over the host country in the tournament's inaugural match.
About 1.2 million foreign fans are expected in Qatar, a conservative Muslim country, for the tournament, which runs until Dec. 18.
Despite Qatar's poor human rights record and all the controversies surrounding these games, 32 teams from around the world, including Canada, will play 64 games in eight stadiums in and around the city of Doha. Here's a look at the fans, the teams and more.
Ecuador triumphs over hosts
Ecuador's Jose Cifuentes celebrates with fans after his team's 2-0 win over Qatar in the opening Group A match on Sunday.
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Qatar's Mohammed Muntari reacts after missing a shot at goal late in the game, which was his team's best chance to score.
(Dylan Martinez/Reuters)
Ecuador's Pervis Estupinan, left, and Jhegson Mendez pray in celebration of their team's win as a Qatari player looks defeated.
(Darko Bandic/The Associated Press)
Opening ceremony
Fireworks explode over the tent-shaped Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor during the opening ceremony on Sunday. It is the first time that the World Cup has been staged in the Middle East.
(Elsa/Getty Images)
La'eeb, the official mascot of the 2022 World Cup, floats above performers during the ceremony. The mascot is based on a ghutra headdress, and its name is an Arabic word meaning "super-skilled player," according to FIFA.
(Danielle Parhizkaran/USA Today Sports)
Actor Morgan Freeman made a surprise appearance on stage with Qatari YouTuber Ghanim Al Muftah, a 20-year-old who was born with a rare condition that impairs the development of the lower spine.
(Natacha Pisarenko/The Associated Press)
BTS pop star Jung Kook and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi perform during the opening ceremony.
(Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani gave a short speech, asking teams and fans "to put aside what divides them," amid condemnation of the host country's poor human rights record.
(Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Team arrivals
Canada's Atiba Hutchinson, left, and Milan Borjan arrive with other team members in Doha on Friday. It's the first time in 36 years that Canada has qualified to play in the tournament.
(Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters)
The bus for Team Germany is seen during the arrival of team members at Zulal Wellness-Resort in Doha on Thursday.
(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
A member of the Argentine team looks out a window of the aircraft featuring a picture of Lionel Messi, in Doha, on Thursday.
(Hannah Mckay/Reuters)
Showing their team spirit
Portugal fans react at Souq Waqif marketplace in Doha on Nov. 11.
(Suhaib Salem/Reuters)
Uruguay fans roam the streets with flags and scarves at Souq Waqif on Thursday.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Supporters from Tunisia pose for a picture at Souq Waqif on Wednesday.
(Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Mexico fans wander the streets at Souq Waqif on Thursday.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Statues and art installations
A statue along the Corniche, Doha's waterfront promenade with sweeping views of the Qatar capital, is seen on Wednesday.
(Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)
One of many World Cup statues in Souq Waqif pictured on Tuesday.
(Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)
An art installation is seen ahead of the World Cup.
(Marko Djurica/Reuters)
Among the giants in soccer world
A large banner of Canada's forward Jonathan David is displayed on a building in Doha on Nov. 8.
(Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
Brazil's Neymar is pictured on a building in West Bay in Doha.
(Carl Recine/Reuters)
An image of Salem Al-Dawsari of Saudi Arabia adorns a skyscraper in West Bay on Nov. 14.
(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Decorations and preparations
People stand next to the countdown clock at the Corniche in Doha on Nov. 13.
(Marko Djurica/Reuters)
Promotional banners in the Msheireb area in Doha on Wednesday.
(Michael Steele/Getty Images)
A street decorated with national flags in Doha on Nov. 7.
(Suhaib Salem/Reuters)
Some nightlife
In an about-face, Qatar has banned the sale of beer at the World Cup, two days before the opening game. The country doesn't ban liquor outright, but alcohol sales are heavily restricted. Here, people gather during opening night of HIDE club at the InterContinental Doha where beer is typically available in hotel bars.
(Hannah Mckay/Reuters)
(Hannah Mckay/Reuters)
(Hannah Mckay/Reuters)
Overcrowded concert
On Saturday night, authorities turned away thousands of fans from a concert on the eve of the World Cup. Those who were allowed into the Fan Zone at Doha's Al Bidda Park caught performances by Lebanese singer Myriam Fares and Colombian singer Maluma. Many were able to purchase beer at the venue — one of the few associated with FIFA where alcoholic purchases are allowed.
(Molly Darlington/Reuters)
(Molly Darlington/Reuters)
(Marko Djurica/Reuters)
With files from The Associated Press and Reuters