The 2022 World Cup, unique and controversial, finally begins on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador. Breaking away from the customary summer-time kickoff, it’s a first in the winter (in the northern hemisphere).

It’s a first in the desert. It could have been also a first time that the host country didn’t play the opening match till the organisers requested Fifa for a change in schedule as late as August and the tournament was preponed by a day.

It’s a World Cup where all the fans of the 32-playing nations will be jostling for space in one city with four matches, in the group stage, being played in a day. A World Cup without Diego Maradona not on the stands rooting for his beloved Argentina.

This is the last time we will see 32 nations in a World Cup. From the 2026 edition, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will be a 48-team affair.

This could be one final time some of the biggest names of world football will be seen in a World Cup. Argentina captain Lionel Messi, Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, Croatia’s Luka Modric and Karim Benzema of France are all on the wrong side of their 30s and most likely will not be there in three-and-a-half years’ time.

When Qatar won the bid in December 2010 beating the United States, the Western world went up in arms crying foul. Bribery allegations, followed by the ouster of Sepp Blatter, who recently said Qatar winning the bid was a mistake because of the size of the nation, and Gianni Infantino taking over as the Fifa president.

“I wasn’t there when Qatar happened. I came in 2016. But I promise you this will be the best World Cup ever,” Infantino, who was a staunch critic of the way Fifa was being run during the Blatter days, said on Friday during his no-holds-barred attack against the Western countries.

“Once the ball sets rolling, everyone will forget about all the controversies because people who love football wait for this every four years.” This holds true even for those who do not follow football.

Qatar coach Felix Sanchez said during the pre-match news conference: “The best thing that can happen is to focus on football, keep calm and avoid the noise and rumours. Obviously, we don’t like it when people criticise our country. We managed to have great preparation, kept calm and that’s how we planned this. For many years we have been training and preparing. Nobody can destabilise us.”

The 2019 Asian Cup champions are the Cup debutants and are placed in Group A with Ecuador, Senegal and The Netherlands. Ecuador’s Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro said he was looking forward to the opening fixture. “We are excited for the match. It’s the first game and it’s going to be very tough against Qatar, they are the home team. But we are calm and focused on the job.”

Of the 21 World Cups played till now, Europe has won 12 times and South America nine. It’s complete domination by two continents with only once an Asian country managing to reach the semi-finals. That was 20 years ago when South Korea entered the last-four stage. That was also the last time when a South American team, Brazil, managed to hold the Cup. Since then it’s been all European, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France calling the shots. Will Latin America end the drought?

“Brazil have a good chance to win. And, of course, Argentina, who look very strong this time. Hopefully, we will see a Latin American country winning,” Cafu, Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning captain said during his visit to Calcutta. Messi’s team is being seen as serious contenders this time with a strong and fearless bunch of players. Having won everything under the sun, this is one trophy missing from Messi’s cabinet. Will he get it this time?

And what about the player Messi is constantly compared with? For Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s a tournament with a difference. Portugal landed in Doha with their captain’s reputation at stake. With his days at Manchester United almost certain to be over, all eyes will be on Ronaldo.

Brazil, Germany, Belgium and France also look strong. “Teams who are hungry and courageous will excel,” Juergen Klinsmann, Germany’s 1990 World Cup winner and at present Fifa’s Technical Study Group member, predicted on Saturday. This could also be a youngster’s tournament. Jude Bellingham (England), Vinicius Junior (Brazil), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Pedri are the players to look forward to.

The teams also have to deal with injuries to key players. France are badly hit. N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Christopher Nkunku are some of the big French names who are ruled out. England and Argentina are also troubled by injuries. Klinsmann, the former US and Germany coach, though does not want to read too much into this. “All teams have challenges and hope they will not use this as an excuse.”

The fan zone in Al Bidda Park on Saturday was buzzing as beer flew freely. There will be more as fans from different countries join the party in Doha. It’s time to forget the controversies and root for the favourite teams. Doha is all set for the kick-off.