Gary Rose
BBC Sport

Qatar have big ambitions for this year's World Cup - not just in terms of hosting it successfully but also regarding how far their national team can progress.

This will be their first appearance in the tournament, having qualified by virtue of being hosts, and getting through the group stage is their minimal target.

That may seem a lofty ambition for a country with relatively little football history and a population of Qatari nationals smaller than Leicester.

But they are no pushovers. They are the Asian champions and have spent at least a generation building for this moment, so how have Qatar created a football team they believe is capable of surprising the world and advancing to the knockout stages?

Read more here.

Chris Sutton
BBC Sport football expert

Qatar have to hope that home advantage pays off for them, but I very much doubt it. It's going to be very difficult for them to get out of this group - in fact, I think they will finish bottom.

Ecuador are quite a defensive-minded team so there won't be many goals in this opening game, but they should still find a way of winning it.

Prediction: 0-1

Qatar manager Felix Sanchez: "It's a very important day for us. A historic moment, a moment of happiness for us.

"It's an extraordinary day like no other. We have made such a huge effort in this country. We are all devoted for this World Cup and have invested so much.

"I hope it's a great party where we can enjoy football and I hope everyone from all countries in the world, together, can enjoy this experience. I'm happy to be the ones kicking off this competition.

"We are very motivated to take part. We have been waiting so long for this moment to arrive.

"We are very much aware of who we are, where we are coming from and who we are facing. We know it will be a great challenge but in many ways we are eager to play and are very happy to be here."

Image source, Reuters

Qatar's boss is 47-year-old Spaniard Felix Sanchez.

He has worked in Qatar since 2006 and been national team boss for the last five years, having previously managed their youth teams.

The former Barcelona youth coach led Qatar to 2019 Asian Cup glory.

Click here for a BBC interview with him earlier this year.

BBC Monitoring
The world through its media

The Argentine manager of the Ecuadorean national team, Gustavo Alfaro, has said it is a privilege to open the tournament.

“For me, being at the World Cup with these men is already a success.”

On facing Qatar he said:, external “They have come after preparing for this game for more than 12 years. They are a very ordered team. They do not have players in the European big leagues, but it is a very ordered team and they are physically well prepared and can trouble anyone.”

Strike and captain Enner Valencia has chosen to donate any money , externalthat he receives during the World Cup to “his beloved Esmeraldas, where he was born and grew up” as well as player agency Sport Capital.

Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan will also donate a percentage of his earnings to humanitarian aid in Ecuador. He made the announcement via a video posted to social media, external.

He will donate to the non-profit organisation Common Goal, which “intends to motivate the global football community to contribute to social causes around the world”, founded by Spanish footballer Juan Mata.

Ashley Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC One

Akram Afif is probably Qatar's most intelligent player. He picks up clever positions, is very creative and a playmaker.

I can't imagine Qatar will have bundles of possession, so he'll need to be available on the turnover and creative in possession.

Image source, .

Ecuador have had the most stressful build-up to the World Cup, holding off legal battles to keep onto their place.

Chile and Peru had lodged appeals with Fifa over Byron Castillo's involvement in Ecuador's qualifying games, claiming he is Colombian and had falsified his age.

However Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sport sided with Ecuador, with CAS only clearing them 12 days ago.

The Ecuador FA decided not to name Castillo in their World Cup squad to avoid the risk of sanctions.

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Qatar can certainly have no excuses about a lack of preparation for this World Cup.

Their squad have been together since June with all of them excused from club duty this season so far.

In 2019 they played in the Copa America (South America's championship) and won the Asian Cup.

In 2021 they reached the semi-finals of the Gold Cup (North America's tournament) and played eight friendlies against teams in Group A of the European World Cup qualifiers.

Sho: I'm actually looking forward to watching Qatar. Don't know anything about any of their players and curious to see how they gel as a team.

Ashley Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC One

At least we are here having the conversation on the opening game of the World Cup.

The attention on human rights has never been at a high level. We have a unique opportunity to talk about it.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Doha

Well you can’t say it’s not busy at the fan festival, though a little disorganised. I’ve been sent back and forwards among the crowds towards a “media area” which I’m convinced does not exist! It means I can’t get in - but that is a good sign. There’s thousands of people along the Corniche trying to get a sight of the first match on the big screens.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Al Bayt Stadium

There aren't many Ecuador fans in, but it's the South Americans that are making all the noise in here.

Qatar really need a victory in their opener, they've got Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal and three-time finalists the Netherlands to play in this group.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

Every country has its own issues, including our own. We are far from perfect.

But we were there in 2010 when Qatar was awarded the World Cup and were as surprised as anyone. It was announced as a summer World Cup, air conditioned stadiums, air conditioned fan fests.

Then six years later, it is announced it'll be played in winter. Three months ago, it is announced the first game is moved and 11 of those 22 members who voted have either been sanctioned, fined or banned for life from football.

That is where we are with this World Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Capacity: 60,000

Games: Eight, including the opening match

Location: Al Khor, 35km north of Doha

This stadium is covered by a huge tent-like structure and takes its name from the bayt al sha'ar tents used by nomadic people in the region. The tent and retractable roof will help cool the stadium.

The upper tier of seats will be removed after the World Cup (taking capacity to below 32,000) and given to developing nations. A five-star hotel and shopping centre will be opened in the stadium.

It is the furthest stadium from Doha, although still only a 40-minute drive away.

This is Qatar's first ever World Cup game. They have never actually qualified for the tournament before.

The omens aren't good though. The last 13 World Cup debutants lost their first game - a run going back just over 20 years.

Image source, .

The tournament hosts have never lost their opening game at a World Cup.

South Africa in 2010 are the only hosts to fail to make it past the first stage.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Doha

I’m walking along streams of people towards the fan festival where there are live screens of every World Cup match.

Qatar shirts are common but there is still plenty of Brazil and Argentina shirts which have been seen around Doha for days now.

Image source, BBC Sport

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport at Al Bayt Stadium

Almoez Ali, Qatar's star man, leads the line for the hosts alongside another key man in Akram Afif.

Hassan Al-Haydos captains a squad which consists entirely of domestic based players.

Qatar XI: Saad, Pedro, Bassam, Khoukhi, Abdelkarim, Homam, Al-Haydos, Karim, Aziz, Afif, Almoez.

Brighton players Moises Caideo and Pervis Estupinan both start for Ecuador, with the third, Jeremy Sarmiento, on the bench.

Former West Ham forward Enner Valencia skippers the South American side who have lost just one of the last 15 games.

Ecuador XI: Galindez, Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Ibarra, Valencia, Estrada.