DOHA (Special envoys).- The sun falls over the bay of Doha. The lights of the West Bay of the capital of Qatar begin to light up and offer a science fiction scene: enormous illuminated skyscrapers, flashing effects, flags of the participating countries and gigantographies of the figures of the world. On this side of the maritime avenue, most of the workers who worked from very early to the ray of the sun they start to pick up their tools and wait to be picked up.
The clock located on the Corniche avenue marks that there are five days left until the formal start of the World Cup and the Qataris adjust the last details to receive more than a million and a half visitors. In addition, the authorities of the supreme committee revealed some details of what will be the opening party this sunday. The World Cup is just around the corner and it is feeling more and more strongly in this city.
How much has Qatar really invested since it got the candidacy for this World Cup? According to some private estimates and what the government body that organizes it admitted, more than 200 billion dollars have been spent. Of course, this figure exceeds the World Cup, since holding this mega event in the desert of the Persian Gulf is part of an ambitious plan called Qatar National Vision 2030. That included, in addition to the eight stadiums, highways, a new international airport, a metro with three lines and 37 stations, construction of more than one hundred hotels and remodeling of dozens of public buildings.
So it was not surprising that the eight World Cup stadiums have finished almost a year in advance. Nevertheless, Walking through the streets of the city, you can still see machines and men working almost 24 hours a day. Details remain in the Corniche area, the coastal avenue that is closed to traffic and that will be the meeting point for locals and tourists. Many buildings are still under construction, while many others are just beginning to rise. Here the project of the Al Thani royal family goes much further.
opening ceremony
This Sunday at 7 pm local time (at 1 pm in Argentina) the World Cup will formally start. An hour before it will be the turn of the opening ceremony at the Al Bayt stadium. Like everything, the party was meticulously thought out by the Supreme Committee, which still has some surprises in store.
According to what they revealed so far, there will be music and dance shows to show the millennial past of the people who inhabited this area between the desert and the sea, but they will also seek to expose their arrogant modernity and his challenge towards the future supported by a wallet that seems inexhaustible.
As already happened in the draw, the official song of the tournament will be presented, “Hayya Hayya” (Better Together), performed by local figure Aishabeside Davido and Trinidad Cardona.
As for the international artists that will give color to the ceremony, there are several that have already been announced. Among them stand out ozunawhich will sing another song from the official list of the World Cup; jungkookthe singer of the Korean band bts; Black Eyed Peas and Shakira. The Colombian will perform in her fourth world championship, the envy of many soccer fans.
fan festival
A few meters further on from the Corniche promenade is another point that will capture the attention of the thousands of fans who circulate through Doha during the World Cup. The Fan Festival, What is it organized by FIFAgathers the fans in fenced-off places in the open air so that they They can watch the games on big screens. Accompanied by food and alcohol. still not clear what will happen from Saturday with the sale of beer, one of the biggest sponsors of FIFA.
Unlike what happened in Germany, South Africa, Brazil and Russia, this edition will be focused on a single venue. Will be on Al Bidda Park, along the Doha Bay waterfront. The entrance is freebut it has a capacity of 40 thousand people. Also, You will have to pass a security check. It can be easily reached, as there are three subway stations nearby.
As announced by the Supreme Committee, the property occupies about 500 thousand square meters Y more than a million people are expected to pass through during the competition. They can be seen on giant screens 64 Cup matchesBesides the participation of local and international musical artists. And there will be, as in every FIFA event, official merchandising for sale.
Colombia will also have musical representation at the inauguration because it will be presented there Malumawho together with the Lebanese singer Myriam Fares already the rapper nicki minaj they will interpret the FIFA Fan Festival official anthem, tukoh taka. From then on there will be four weeks of musical performances in which other artists such as Calvin Harris, Diplo, Kizz Daniel and Nora Fatehi.
The Fan Festival will open this Saturday at 4 in the afternoon (12 noon in Argentina) and It will work until the day of the final, next December 18. Closing time: 2 in the morning.
Qatar World Cup 2022: a futuristic Doha prepares for the opening ceremony