FIFA World Cup 2022 kicks off in Qatar with BTS' Jungkook taking center stage for opening ceremony

Good morning, welcome to New Day at Arirang.
We begin this morning as over night the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar kicked off with its opening ceremony.
This is the first one to happen in the middle east and big names including BTS' Jungkook took center stage.
South Korea will play their first game later this week.
Kim Hyo-sun starts us off this morning.

ed:victor

K-pop sensation BTS member Jungkook took center stage for the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
During the ceremony, which began at 5:40 PM local time, or 11:40 PM Sunday in South Korea, Jungkook was joined by many other musicians, to deliver a message of inclusion and diversity.
The 30-minute show also paid tribute to all 32 participating nations, former World Cup hosts and volunteers.
A day before the opening ceremony, Jungkook visited the base camp of the South Korean national soccer team, and shared his support for the Taeguk Warriors.

"I hope no one gets injured. My bandmates and I, along with all the Korean people, will be cheering you on to achieve what you have been longing for."

The opening ceremony set the stage for the opening game between the host country, Qatar and Group A rivals Ecuador.
Qatar was utterly outplayed by the South American country in a two-to-nil loss, leaving them facing an uphill battle to make it out of their group in their first-ever World Cup.
With this, Qatar became the first host country in the competition’s 92-year history to lose its opening game.
South Korea open their World Cup account on Thursday when they play Uruguay.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.