Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan attend Fifa World Cup in Qatar

Dubai Ruler and Crown Prince welcomed to Doha for opening ceremony

Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed are welcomed to Doha by Qatar's Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani. Photo: Government of Dubai Media Office

Qatar's former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with King Abdullah II of Jordan during the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador. AFP

Emir Sheikh Tamim waves to the crowd as he arrives with Fifa president Gianni Infantino. AFP

King Abdullah II of Jordan at the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 opening ceremony. Getty

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi as they are welcomed by Emir Sheikh Tamim. AFP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Photo: Press Office of the Presidency of Turkey / AFP

LIVE: Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, were at the World Cup's first game on Sunday evening.

They were welcomed to Doha by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad, Deputy Ruler of Qatar.

Other guests included King Abullah II of Jordan and Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

"On behalf of the UAE’s leadership and its people, Sheikh Mohammed congratulated Qatar’s leadership and its people on the successful inauguration of the mega event," state news agency Wam reported.

"He said Qatar’s successful hosting of the tournament was an achievement for the Arab world in general and a valuable addition to the Gulf region’s sporting landscape. Sheikh Mohammed wished further progress and prosperity for Qatar."

Sheikh Mohammed was invited by the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The invitation "reflects the strong ties between the two nations and their peoples".

He was accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of aviation giant Emirates Airline and Group, and Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

The opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. PA

Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images

Mascots of former World Cups united. AP Photo

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim, centre, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, Jordan's King Abdullah II King of Jordan, left, and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, second right, at the opening ceremony. AFP

South Korean singer Jung Kook, centre, performs. AFP

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha. AFP

Singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performs. Getty Images

Performers welcomed the world during the opening ceremony. Reuters

A giant inflatable emblem during the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor City. PA

Performers during the opening ceremony. PA

Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images

The performers opened the show. EPA

The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters

Dancers performing together. PA

The opening ceremony before the Qatar versus Ecuador game. EPA

Former footballer Marcel Desailly holds the Fifa World Cup trophy ahead of the opening ceremony. AFP

A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA

Ecuador fans in the stands before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup. Reuters

A dancer performs at sunset before the Fifa World Cup kicks off with a Group A match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. PA

Fans record moments from the first match of Qatar 2022 inside the Al Bayt World Cup stadium. Reuters

Performers outside the Al Bayt Stadium entertain the crowds before the Fifa World Cup 2022 Group A opening match between Qatar and Ecuador kicks off. EPA

A Qatar fan wears his national colours outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters

Fans arrive at the Al Bayt Stadium before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup begins. Reuters

Qatar fans on rollerblades outside the Al Bayt Stadium. Reuters

Ecuador fans on their way to watch the opening match of the Qatar World Cup 2022. Reuters

A performer with a replica World Cup before the Fifa World Cup Group A match gets under way at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. PA