Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to Sheikh Tamim. Presidential Court. Presidential Court / AFP
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to Sheikh Tamim. Presidential Court. Presidential Court / AFP
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to Sheikh Tamim. Presidential Court. Presidential Court / AFP
Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to Sheikh Tamim. Presidential Court. Presidential Court / AFP

President Sheikh Mohamed congratulates Qatar on start of Fifa World Cup


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President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday congratulated emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim and his country on the start of the Fifa World Cup.

During a call between the two leaders, Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to Sheikh Tamim and emphasised the UAE’s support for Doha in hosting a successful tournament, which he said represents a great achievement for Qatar and the Arab world.

Sheikh Tamim thanked Sheikh Mohamed and wished him good health and further progress and prosperity for the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Sunday attended the World Cup's opening game between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor.

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

Other guests at the match included King Abdullah of Jordan and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

  • 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
Updated: November 21, 2022, 4:49 PM