Vice President Faisal Naseem joined football fans to watch the opening ceremony and first game of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2022.

The World Cup 2022 opening ceremony kicked off on Sunday night.

The opening game was played at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar where the world cup is ongoing, with teams from Qatar and Ecuador going head-to-head. Ecuador won the game by two goals to nil.

VP Naseem joined fans at the Synthetic Track in Hulhumalé to observe the game.

Viewing screens have been installed throughout the archipelago nation in addition to several locations in the capital region, to live stream the World Cup games.

FIFA World Cup 2022 will proceed until December 18.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih earlier on Sunday offered greetings to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the beginning of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

In his message to the Emir of Qatar, President Solih expressed well wishes, hoping for a successful world cup and expressed confidence that the tournament will live on in the memories of football fans for years to come.

The president also noted that countries worldwide anticipate exceptional sportsmanship over the next few weeks, adding that he was delighted that a Muslim country is hosting the World Cup 2022.

President Solih went on to state that it was encouraging to watch the government of Qatar deal with the multiple challenges that had surfaced in the buildup to the competition, with such professionalism and foresight.