World Cup kicks off amid desert storm of controversy
DOHA, QATAR (AFP) – After a 12-year build-up engulfed by a desert storm of controversy, the World Cup finally kicks off in Qatar on Sunday with Lionel Messi aiming to crown his glittering career by winning football’s greatest prize.
The first ever World Cup held in the Arab world – and the first staged outside of the northern hemisphere’s summer window – gets under way at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, where hosts Qatar take on Ecuador in Group A.
It marks the start of a month-long footballing extravaganza that embattled Qatari organizers desperately hope will be remembered for events on the field rather than off it.
So far, talk of the tournament proper has struggled to emerge from the long shadow cast by allegations of corruption, mistreatment of migrant workers and criticism of Qatar’s human rights record.
Yet there are enough storylines to suggest that the 2022 finals may prove to be every bit as engrossing as past editions once the action does get under way this weekend.
Perhaps the most intriguing concerns Argentina and their captain Messi, who at the age of 35 is playing in his fifth and final World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain and former Barcelona superstar has won everything there is to win in club football, but has found success on the World Cup stage elusive.
But under Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, Messi has flourished for the “Albiceleste,” winning last year’s Copa America and helping the team go on a 36-game unbeaten streak.
Argentina opens its campaign against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, and will be expected to top a Group C that also includes Poland and Mexico.
Elsewhere, Brazil has been installed as several bookmakers’ favorite to win a sixth World Cup, with Messi’s PSG teammate Neymar determined to atone for disappointments at the 2014 and 2018 World Cup.
“The World Cup is my greatest dream,” Neymar told Britain’s Daily Telegraph this week.
“It has been since I understood what football was. Now I’m getting another chance so I hope to make it.”
The Brazilians face Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G, and could well face a quarterfinal against either Germany or Spain if the tournament seedings go to plan.
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that World Cup fans can survive for three hours a day without beer after sales were banned around stadiums.
“I think personally if for three hours a day you cannot drink a beer, you will survive,” he told his opening press conference in Doha. “The same applies in France, Spain, Scotland.”
World Cup chiefs on Friday banned beer sales around stadiums in Qatar in a stunning U-turn, just 48 hours before kickoff.
Alcohol is largely prohibited in the Islamic nation but the organizers sparked fury from fans with their dramatic late decision.
France faces Euro 2020 semifinalists Denmark, Tunisia and Australia in Group D. The reward for winning the group will likely mean avoiding Argentina in the last 16.