• 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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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
    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

World Cup

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

Dubai Ruler and Crown Prince welcomed to Doha for opening ceremony

The National

November 20, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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
    The opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor. PA
  • Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images
    Fireworks explode during the show. Getty Images
  • Mascots of former World Cups united. AP Photo
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Singer Fahad Al-Kubaisi performs. Getty Images
  • Performers welcomed the world during the opening ceremony. Reuters
    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
    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
    Performers during the opening ceremony. PA
  • Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images
    Morgan Freeman performs on stage. Getty Images
  • The performers opened the show. EPA
    The performers opened the show. EPA
  • The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters
    The Qatar World Cup opening ceremony. Reuters
  • Dancers performing together. PA
    Dancers performing together. PA
  • The opening ceremony before the Qatar versus Ecuador game. EPA
    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
    Former footballer Marcel Desailly holds the Fifa World Cup trophy ahead of the opening ceremony. AFP
  • A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA
    A young Qatar supporter at the stadium. EPA
  • Ecuador fans in the stands before the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup. Reuters
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
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What are NFTs?

Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.

You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”

However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.

This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”

This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

While you're here
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Read
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)

Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)

Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)

Playing September 30

Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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In numbers

Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m

Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’  in Dubai is worth... $600m

China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn

The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn

Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn 

Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
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Asia%20Cup%202022
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Updated: November 20, 2022, 5:33 PM
World Cup