The performance served as a link connecting the region’s past, present, and future, highlighting its profound civilisational heritage.
The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 kicked off on Monday evening at the Al Bayt Stadium with a stellar opening ceremony that placed great emphasis on the region’s rich culture with various prominent artists.
Loud chants and applause from 61,475 fans echoed across the stadium when Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani entered the venue to inaugurate the major ceremony ahead of the Qatar vs Palestine game.
The 15-minute show then started with the narration of Syrian artist Rashid Assaf and scenes of Jerusalem as well as two doves of peace, echoing Qatar’s support for the Palestinian cause especially in mega events.
The pitch dazzled with Arab patterns and vibrant lights reflecting the region’s culture as the performers came in with the traditional clothes of their home countries. The ceremony told the stories of Arab generations, where each performer from a different country shared a piece of their homeland.
The greater emphasis was still on the region’s united support for the Palestinian cause even in sports, highlighting it as one of the Arab Cup’s key themes. The performance served as a link connecting the region’s past, present, and future, highlighting its profound civilisational heritage.
The appearance of Palestinian singer Rola Azar in her traditional thobe, or embroidered dress, as she stood under the spotlight further emboldened the message of solidarity.
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The joint performance of all the Arab countries’ national anthems, an iconic moment reminiscent of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar, was the part that the audience waited for. Azar alongside Lebanese artist Mohamed Chaker made the moment more memorable.
The three-dimensional light shows made the evening more magical as the stadium’s heartbeats pounded louder for the faceoff between Qatar and Palestine—both of which share a strong sense of unity.
Spectators who spoke to Doha News ahead of the match echoed their joint support for both teams, with many carrying the Palestinian and Qatari flags or wearing the keffiyeh and the Qatari football jersey at the same time.
The game later ended with Palestine’s 1-0 victory over Qatar, but celebrations were seen on both sides of the pitch.
Qatar’s Amir also took to his social media to congratulate Palestine’s national team on their win in the opening game.
“We in the State of Qatar are pleased to welcome our Arab brothers to the Arab Cup[…] Congratulations to the Palestinian national team on its victory in today’s opening match,” Sheikh Tamim said on X.
source/content: dohanews.co (headline edited)
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ARAB / Doha, QATAR