2019 Asian Cup gets under way with opening ceremony - in pictures

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, right; FIFA President Gianni Infantino, center; and UAE officials attend the opening ceremony of 2019 AFC Asian Cup. AFP

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Mr. Infantino and officials attend the opening ceremony. AFP

The opening ceremony of 2019 AFC Asian Cup. AFP

Men perform during the opening ceremony. AP Photo

From left: Balqees Fathi, Hussain Al Jassmi and Eida Al Menhali perform during the opening ceremony. AFP

Hussain Al Jassmi performs during the opening ceremony. AFP

Balqees Fathi performs during the opening ceremony. AFP

Eida Al Menhali peforms during the opening ceremony. AFP

Artists perform during the opening ceremony. EPA

Artists perform during the opening ceremony. EPA

The opening ceremony. AFP

Opening ceremony of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. AFP

Players stand on the pitch prior to the game between United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. AFP

The 2019 Asian Cup got under way in the UAE on Saturday night.

Three of the UAE's biggest stars performed during the opening ceremony at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

Emirati singers Hussain Al Jassmi and Eida Al Menhali, along with Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi, all performed ahead of the opening match between the hosts UAE and Bahrain.

Among those in attendance were Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

There were also plenty of  UAE and Bahrain fans at Zayed Sports City for the Group A match.

The Emirates are hosting the continental showpiece for a second time, look to improve on their third-place finish in Australia four years ago.

Fans at the start of the first AFC match at Zayed Sports City. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fans at the start of the first AFC match at Zayed Sports City. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fans at the start of the first AFC match at Zayed Sports City. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fans at the start of the first AFC match at Zayed Sports City. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fans of United Arab Emirates cheer their team. AP Photo

An Emirati boy carries a scarf before the preliminary round match between UAE and Bahrain in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Fans attend the match between UAE and Bahrain. EPA

Fans attend the match between UAE and Bahrain. EPA

Fans attend the match between UAE and Bahrain. EPA

Emirati boys cheer ahead of the football game. AFP

Emirati supporters cheer ahead of the match. AFP

Bahrain fans attend the preliminary round match between UAE and Bahrain. EPA

Bahrain fans attend the match. EPA

Bahrain fans attend the match. EPA

The 2019 Asian Cup runs until February 1. There are 24 teams competing in what is the largest staging of the tournament, with matches played at eight stadiums across the Emirates.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain and Sharjah will all host games, with 36 matches taking place in the group stages, which run from January 5 until January 17.

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