The opening game of the championship, Qatar vs. Ecuador in Group A, kicked off at 1600GMT at Al Bayt Stadium in the Qatari city of Al Khor.

During the match, the Crown Prince was seen supporting the Qatari national team, wearing the scarf of Qatar next to the FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Crown Prince addressed a cable of congratulations to Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the inauguration of FIFA World Cup 2022.

Earlier, Prince Mohammed attended a reception hosted by Qatari Emir.

Other leaders attended the opening of the Middle East’s maiden FIFA World Cup finals in Doha, includes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Also attending the opening ceremony were Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Liberian President George Weah, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Senegalese President Macky Sall.

The Crown Prince has directed all the Saudi ministries, authorities, and government agencies to provide any additional support or facilities needed by their counterparts in Qatar to support their efforts in hosting the World Cup.

The international football tournament runs through Dec. 18.