Qatar 2022: This best shows how disgusting this event is

Correspondence from Qatar

Until the end it was known who would appear at the opening ceremony of the championship. We mainly read of stars who have refused to perform at such a controversial World Cup, for example Dua Lipa declared she would perform in the country if she ‘keeps all the human rights promises she made when she won the right to host the World Cup”. . It was also rumored that Shakira would appear, but she, too, would refuse, like many other stars of world show business.

The hosts managed differently: they played the songs of the Colombian singer and other stars from the speakers, we felt for a moment like in a big concert. This, however, was only an introduction to the exhibition, which began less than an hour and a half with the opening game.

Suddenly, the lights went out, the grandstands filled with colored dots similar to stars – the lighting effects were almost like at the world’s most colorful concert of the band Coldplay. The countdown began, after which we were greeted by a familiar voice – a film about a passion for football was played, a trip to Qatar, in which the voice-over was the famous American actor Morgan Freeman. After a while, the 85-year-old, known from, among others, the film “The Shawshank Redemption” took the field and spoke about the diversity of the World Cup. “We are bound by a thread of hope, joy and respect,” he said.

We saw men dressed in traditional Arab costumes dance, an Arab sheikh gave a speech and at the end there was a fireworks display, championship mascots, fans dressed in the colors of all 32 national teams participate in this tournament.

It was spectacular, colorful and Arabian, but it’s hard not to get the impression that for a country that knows no financial borders, very few stars known outside the Middle East appeared at this ceremony. This is the best example of how disgusting this event is. Even when it looks good.