"From Qatar, from the Arab world, I welcome everyone to the World Cup 2022," the Emir said. 

"How lovely it is that people can put aside what divides them to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together all at once," he added.

Before the tournament, the host nation had faced criticism for its laws which criminalise same-sex relationships.

FIFA President FIFA President Gianni Infantino made only a brief speech, speaking in Arabic, Spanish and then in English, shortly before the teams made their entry.

A huge replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy stood in the centre of the playing field as Infantino delivered words of welcome.

"Dear friends, welcome to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, welcome to celebrate football because football unites the world," Infantino said.

"Now let's welcome the teams and let the show begin and all the best to everyone."

Spectators had arrived at the Al Bayt Stadium on the outskirts of Doha, more than three hours before the kickoff to see an Opening Ceremony which featured lasers, music, dance and even camels.

It began with a filmed sequence narrated by actor Morgan Freeman.

"I embark on a journey through a world of both land and sea, in which I learn that we dream," Freeman began as the screens showed images of the desert and the oceans.

"From that very moment in our mothers womb, we kick, we dream of life.

"We grow and our passion grows with us, our dreams grow quicker."

"From this land, we heard a call to the world, to connect, to return, if only for a moment, to that which can bring us together," Freeman continued.

A montage of the different peoples of the world was shown on screen.

"On this journey the East and West travel with me, moving together toward one goal," Freeman added.

A glowing structure in the middle of the desert was revealed as the stadium.

A traditional dance and song were performed before Freeman appeared in-person inside.

"I heard something beautiful, not just music but also this call to celebration," he said.

"We sent out the call because everyone is welcome." 

Freeman was greeted by Ghanim Al-Muftah, a YouTube personality who had been born with caudal regression syndrome which stunted muscle growth.

"We all have a story of football and how it brought us together and this land has a story of its own," Freeman then said before introducing a film which showed the Emir as a footballer.

"Football spans the world, unites nations in their love of the beautiful game.

"What brings together nations, brings together communities."

Laser lights emphasised modernity and drummers beat out a rhythm which was punctuated with football chants from around the world as dancers performed to songs from previous tournaments including We are One from 2014 and Waka Waka from 2010.

As giant flags from competing nations were thrown in the air, the soundtrack was appropriately Wavin’ Flag by Somali singer K'naan which had been used as Coca-Cola's anthem for 2010.

Television coverage had focused on supporter groups from Qatar, all wearing the maroon shirts of the host nation.

It also picked out groups in the yellow shirts of Ecuador and those wearing Argentina shirts as well.

Outsize shirts of all 32 competing nations moved around the stadium.

These were joined by inflatable mascots from preceding World Cups all the way back to World Cup Willie, the mascot for 1966.

Naranjito, an orange chosen for Spain 1982, worked best in inflatable form, as the balloons floated above the stadium.

The crowd erupted when they were joined by 2022 mascot La'eeb which flew into the air

South Korean singer Jungkook, a pop idol in Asia with K-Pop boyband BTS, performed his new single Dreamer.

"Look who we are we are the dreamers we make it happen 'cos we can see it," he sang.

Many in the crowd also recognised Qatari singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi who joined the performance in an Opening Ceremony which seemed to draw the approval of all in the stadium.

Qatar went on to lose the tournament's opening game 2-0 to Ecuador.