The world came together in Qatar when the Fifa World Cup kicked off for the first time in the Middle East and Arab world.
But even before a ball had been kicked, there were many reasons why the Qatar tournament is unlike any other.
It is the costliest World Cup and Qatar is also the smallest country to host the competition by land size and population.
This week on Beyond the Headlines, host Gully Burrows takes a look at the World Cup in Qatar to find out exactly what it’s like on the ground there.
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Argentina fans enjoy the atmosphere at the Souq Waqif, Doha, while marking the second anniversary of Diego Maradona's death. PA -
Ecuador's heroic striker Enner Valencia fired in an equaliser against the Netherlands. AFP -
Frankie de Jong of the Netherlands, centre, challenges for the ball against three of Ecuador's players. AP -
Ecuador's Jackson Porozo. AP -
Qatar's Ismaeel Mohammad collapses dejected on the pitch after his side's 3-1 defeat to Senegal. AFP -
Senegal fans burst into rapturous celebrations in the stands as their team secure their first points of the World Cup. Reuters -
Bamba Dieng of Senegal, right, is challenged by Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo. Getty Images -
The vocal Senegal fans at Al Thumama Stadium. Getty Images -
The fan zone at Al Bidda Park, Doha, was packed with fans from around the world as Qatar played Senegal. Reuters -
Roozbeh Cheshmi celebrates scoring Iran's first goal against Wales. PA -
Wales's goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, right, collides with Iran's Mehdi Taremi. He was sent off shortly after. AP Photo -
Police officers confiscate an Iran fan's 'Women Life Freedom' flag inside the stadium before the match. Reuters -
One emotional Iran supporter holds a shirt reading 'Mahsa Amini' in memory of the 22-year-old who died in Tehran in September. AP Photo -
An Iran fan outside the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, in Umm Al Afaei, west of central Doha, before his team's Group B match against Wales. Reuters -
An Iran fan has his face painted ahead of the clash with Wales. Reuters -
Hijinks involving Australia's Andrew Redmayne and Cameron Devlin during training at the Aspire Training Ground in Doha. Getty Images -
Wales fans gather next to a giant bucket hat decorated with their country's flag, at the Corniche Walk Way Park in Doha, ahead of their Group B game against Iran. PA -
Wales fans attach their country's flag to railings at the Corniche Walk Way Park. PA -
A mural of Diego Maradona at West Bay in Doha, on the second anniversary of the Argentina football legend's death on November 25, 2020. AP
