H.H. Sheikh Mohammed attends World Cup opening ceremony

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar on Sunday.

In a tweet, the Dubai Media Office confirmed that the Dubai Ruler, along with Dubai's Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, were in Doha for the ceremony. 

.@HHShkMohd, accompanied by @HamdanMohammed, arrives in Doha to attend the official opening ceremony of @FIFAWorldCup Qatar 2022.

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 20, 2022

Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar’s successful hosting of the tournament is an achievement for the Arab world and a valuable addition to the Gulf region’s sporting landscape. 

Earlier, Sheikh Mohammed hailed Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup, describing it as a "historic milestone for all Arabs" and a matter of pride for the Gulf region.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will also attend the opening ceremony.

The World Cup is being staged in the Middle East for the first time, with Doha hoping the event will bring various economic benefits which it aims to share with Gulf neighbours.