The World Cup kicks off in Qatar.

The opening ceremony of the first winter World Cup in football history was held at the Al Bayt stadium, which stands in the desert, about fifty kilometers from Doha.

In the center all the mascots of the past editions, including the "Ciao" of Italia 90 , in the ceremony created by Marco Balich , the Italian signature of 16 Olympic ceremonies, then the enormous mascot with the Arab keffiyeh and tunic took off , to the applause of the stadium.

Standing ovation for the surprise of the ceremony, the American actor Morgan Freeman who spoke briefly with a very young, disabled actor, with the audience listening in silence and hundreds of small lights lit in the stands.

Then began the songs and choreography that Balich wanted to represent the uninterrupted "line" that unites all human beings and - in the case of Qatar - its past and its traditions with the present: 800 dancers of 15 different nationalities for a show that involved 900 people including choreographers and technicians .

The flag-wavers of the Italian Federation then entered the scene , with the flags of all the 32 participating teams. Each was evoked by a song or a chorus of the characters on stage.

«The world is welcome to the World Cup. People of all nationalities and beliefs are welcome in Qatar,” Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said in his inaugural address .

«We have worked hard and many to set up a successful tournament, we have lavished all our efforts for the good of humanity. The day we've all been waiting for has finally arrived." «We will follow the great show of football - he added - it's nice that peoples put aside what divides them and put together what unites them. That we are days that can inspire goodness is hope. Welcome and good luck to all."

The fireworks then lit up the night in the desert, closing the opening ceremony at exactly 30 minutes.

The opening match was Qatar-Ecuador: the final result was 0-2.

(Unioneonline/D)

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