FIFA World Cup games begin Sunday with about 1.2 million foreign fans expected in Qatar, a conservative Muslim country.
Despite Qatar’s poor human rights record and all the controversies surrounding these games, 32 teams from around the world, including Canada, will play 64 games in eight stadiums in and around the city of Doha. Ahead of the tournament, here’s a look at the fans, the teams and more.
Team arrivals
Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson, left, and Milan Borjan arrive with other team members in Doha on Friday. It’s the first time in 36 years that Canada has qualified to play in the tournament.
(Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters)
The bus for Team Germany is seen during the arrival of team members at Zulal Wellness-Resort in Doha on Thursday.
(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
A member of the Argentine team looks out a window of the aircraft featuring a picture of Lionel Messi, in Doha, on Thursday.
(Hannah Mckay/Reuters)
Showing their team spirit
Portugal fans react at Souq Waqif marketplace in Doha on Nov. 11.
(Suhaib Salem/Reuters)
Uruguay fans roam the streets with flags and scarves at Souq Waqif on Thursday.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Supporters from Tunisia pose for a picture at Souq Waqif on Wednesday.
(Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Mexico fans wander the streets at Souq Waqif on Thursday.
Statues and art installations
A statue along the Corniche, Doha’s waterfront promenade with sweeping views of the Qatar capital, is seen on Wednesday.
(Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)
One of many World Cup statues in Souq Waqif pictured on Tuesday.
(Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)
An art installation is seen ahead of the World Cup.
(Marko Djurica/Reuters)
Among the giants in soccer world
A large picture of Canada’s forward Jonathan David is displayed on a building in Doha on Nov. 8.
(Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
Brazil’s Neymar is pictured on a building in West Bay in Doha.
(Carl Recine/Reuters)
An image of Salem Al-Dawsari of Saudi Arabia adorns a skyscraper in West Bay on Nov. 14.
(Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Decorations and preparations
People stand next to the countdown clock at the Corniche in Doha on Nov. 13.
(Marko Djurica/Reuters)
Promotional banners in the Msheireb area in Doha on Wednesday.
(Michael Steele/Getty Images)
A street decorated with national flags in Doha on Nov. 7.
(Suhaib Salem/Reuters)
Some nightlife
In an about-face, Qatar has banned the sale of beer at the World Cup, two days before the opening game. The country doesn’t ban liquor outright, but alcohol sales are heavily restricted. Here, people gather during opening night of HIDE club at the InterContinental Doha where beer is typically available in hotel bars.
This article is originally published at cbc.com
