Prince Salman arrives in Doha for World Cup opening

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Qatar early Sunday to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022, ARAB NEWS reported.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, was at the reception of Prince Mohammed upon his arrival to Doha.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, had earlier sent an invitation to the Saudi crown prince to attend the historic event, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Saudi Arabia is among the countries competing in the World Cup in Qatar. It is lumped with Argentina, Mexico and Poland in Group C.

Qatar caps the Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman’s latest foreign tour, which began in Indonesia on November 15 to attend the meeting of leaders of the world’s top 20 economies, known as G20.

The crown prince then flew to Seoul for a series of meetings with South Korean officials and business leaders, followed by an official visit to Thailand, where he also participated in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and met with several Asian heads of state.

His delegation includes key Cabinet officials and a number of senior officials, SPA said.

Hosts Qatar will kick off the tournament against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Doha.

It’s the first time a Muslim and Arab country to host the World Cup.

Fifa has asked all 32 competing nations to “focus on the football” amid controversies over the host nation.

Qatar has denied allegations its labourers are ill-treated and said the event has been a catalyst for improving its labour laws.

Qatar has also drawn ire from Western media and supporter groups over the attitude to homosexuality.

But Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said the World Cup would be safe for all visitors.