Qatar's goalkeeper #01 Saad Al Sheeb tackles Ecuador's forward #13 Enner Valencia resulting a penalty during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. AFP PHOTO
People watch the fireworks in Doha on November 20, 2022 during the opening day of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. AFP PHOTO
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 on November 20, 2022. AFP PHOTO
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 on November 20, 2022. AFP PHOTO
A giant inflateble copy of the trophy is displayed prior to the start of the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. AP PHOTO
US actor Morgan Freeman (left) and Qatari YouTuber Ghanim al-Muftah speak during the opening ceremony 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, on November 20, 2022. AFP PHOTO
People watch the fireworks in Doha on November 20, 2022 during the opening day of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. AFP PHOTO
People watch the fireworks in Doha on November 20, 2022 during the opening day of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. AFP PHOTO
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony. AFP PHOTO
DOHA: Qatar became the first World Cup hosts in history to lose their opening match, going down 2-0 to Ecuador on Sunday as football's showpiece got under way after 12 years of turbulent preparations.