The opening ceremony at the FIFA World Cup 2022 took place at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, 20 November. The 26 minute show captivated the thousands in attendance and the billions glued to their screens around the globe.
Narrated by Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman and featuring Jungkook from K-pop supergroup BTS, the ceremony showcased the very best of Qatari culture and heritage, while highlighting football’s ability to unite people from different countries and cultures.
A host of special guests from Qatar took part in the ceremony, including Ghanim Al Muftah, Dana Al Fardan and Fahad Al Kubaisi, who were joined by hundreds of performers and tournament volunteers.
The ceremony featured eight distinct parts, culminating with giant jerseys from all 32 participating nations, every mascot in FIFA World Cup history, including the Qatar 2022 version La’eeb, and a huge inflatable emblem. Conceived as a joyous and contemporary one-of-a-kind spectacle with an important unifying message, the ceremony was produced by Executive Artistic Director, Ahmed Al Baker, CEO of Katara Studios, with support from Creative Director, Marco Balich, and Artistic Director, Anghela Alo.
The lighting team for the show was formed by Durham Marenghi as lighting designer, Jennie Marenghi as team manager, Andy Voller as lead lighting programmer, Pedro as lighting programmer and Alex Silvester as followspot captain. Ben Couch was the laser programmer from ER Productions.
Photos by Balich Wonder Studio.
The opening ceremony at the FIFA World Cup 2022 took place at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, 20 November. The 26 minute show captivated the thousands in attendance and the billions glued to their screens around the globe.
Narrated by Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman and featuring Jungkook from K-pop supergroup BTS, the ceremony showcased the very best of Qatari culture and heritage, while highlighting football’s ability to unite people from different countries and cultures.
A host of special guests from Qatar took part in the ceremony, including Ghanim Al Muftah, Dana Al Fardan and Fahad Al Kubaisi, who were joined by hundreds of performers and tournament volunteers.
The ceremony featured eight distinct parts, culminating with giant jerseys from all 32 participating nations, every mascot in FIFA World Cup history, including the Qatar 2022 version La’eeb, and a huge inflatable emblem. Conceived as a joyous and contemporary one-of-a-kind spectacle with an important unifying message, the ceremony was produced by Executive Artistic Director, Ahmed Al Baker, CEO of Katara Studios, with support from Creative Director, Marco Balich, and Artistic Director, Anghela Alo.
The lighting team for the show was formed by Durham Marenghi as lighting designer, Jennie Marenghi as team manager, Andy Voller as lead lighting programmer, Pedro as lighting programmer and Alex Silvester as followspot captain. Ben Couch was the laser programmer from ER Productions.
Photos by Balich Wonder Studio.