| Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-by-day TV listings - Full coverage details |
There are animals and fireworks.
The opening ceremony for the World Cup took place on Sunday at Al-Bayt Stadium, which will host the first match of the tournament on Tuesday.
There was an American actor in the festivities.
Dreamers, the tournament song, was sung by Jung Kook and Fahad Al Kubaisi.
The ceremony began with an Oscar-winning actor narrating a video about football's ability to unify.
The build-up to the first World Cup to be held in a Muslim country in the Middle East has been overshadowed by controversy.
During the first dance routine, Al Muftah, who was born with a rare syndrome, was greeted by cheers as he appeared in the stadium.
The crowd was told that everyone is welcome by the speaker.
The mascots of previous World Cup teams and giant walking kits of the 32 teams competing in the tournament were included in a dance routine.
The opening speech was delivered in Arabic by the emir.
The emir told the crowd that people of different races, nationalities, creeds and orientations would come together to watch the same exciting moments.
Saudi Arabia's crown prince and the presidents of Egypt, Turkey and Algeria, as well as the United Nations secretary general, were in the tent-shaped stadium ahead of the opening match.
After the 30-minute ceremony, there was a fireworks display and a dance routine before the teams started their warm-ups.
Alex Capstick is at the stadium.
The opportunity to welcome the world and present its case to a global audience of billions was the result of all the challenges.
The opening of the most controversial World Cup in history will take place at the Al-Bayt stadium, which is located in the middle of a barren desert wasteland. It's easy to see why it was chosen, it was designed in the shape and colors of a huge Bedouin tent, which is home to many nomadic people. It is an amazing building.
It's just as striking inside. There was a sea of maroon white with a dash of yellow behind the goal.
The opening ceremonies seemed important and different than the others. The Qataris didn't want to slip up after all that had happened.
It felt like a coup to convince Morgan to narrate the show. The mix of traditional and modern elements was seamless, with mascots and songs from previous World Cup.
An appearance from South Korea's K-pop megastar Jung Kook brought the youngsters to their feet, but the biggest cheer was for the emir of Qatar when he arrived.
There was no acknowledgement of the controversies that have dominated the build-up, despite the country's ruler welcoming people of all beliefs.
They were both proud and excited when we spoke to them, even though they were reticent to discuss more negative topics. Perhaps a sigh of relief for the organizers.
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