This Nov 20, 2022 photo shows a general view during the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar. (PAWEL KOPCZYNSKI / REUTERS)

The first World Cup in the Middle East began Sunday night with a flashy opening ceremony and a match between Qatar, the host, and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

The mascot of the Qatar World Cup is displayed during the opening ceremony, prior to the group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor , Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (MANU FERNANDEZ / AP)

Artists perform at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (NATACHA PISARENKO / AP)

Artists perform with flags of the participating countries during the opening ceremony before the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (THANASSIS STAVRAKIS / AP)

Artists perform at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (NATACHA PISARENKO / AP)

South Korean singer Jung Kook, left, and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi perform at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (NATACHA PISARENKO / AP)

US actor Morgan Freeman, left, talks with FIFA World Cup Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah, at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (HASSAN AMMAR / AP)

Fans watch the opening ceremony for the World Cup, prior to the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (ARIEL SCHALIT / AP)

View of the fireworks at the Al Bayt Stadium during the opening ceremony before the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (THANASSIS STAVRAKIS / AP)A fireworks display is seen outside Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, during a ceremony prior to a World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador, Nov 20, 2022. (JULIO CORTEZ / AP)

Actors perform during the opening ceremony before the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (HASSAN AMMAR / AP)

Actors perform during the opening ceremony before the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (HASSAN AMMAR / AP)

People watch as fireworks go off before the start of the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (AIJAZ RAHI / AP)

Mascots of former World Cups perform at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (NATACHA PISARENKO / AP)

Artists perform at the opening ceremony prior he World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Nov 20, 2022. (NATACHA PISARENKO / AP)

Fireworks explode over the Al Bayt Stadium before the start of the World Cup, group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov 20, 2022. (ALESSANDRA TARANTINO / AP)