The World Cup begins today: here's what to expect

The World Cup kicks off with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador on Sunday, as the month-long football showpiece finally gets under way after a tortuous 12-year build-up dogged by off-field controversies.

Foreign government officials, VIPs and celebrities will be in the crowd as the first World Cup staged in the Arab world opens at the Bedouin-tent-inspired Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 kilometres outside of Doha.

The venue is one of an array of brand new stadiums built for the tournament, which has cost Qatar an estimated $200 billion.

The World Cup 2022 opening match will begin at 5pm Malta time, following a 30-minute opening ceremony that will be headlined by South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook.

Organisers say the opening ceremony will reflect themes of "humanity, respect and inclusion".

Qatar will be hoping to impress home fans with a win: no host nation has ever lost its opening game in World Cup history. 

It is the first time that the World Cup is being held at this time of the year, with FIFA having shifted away from its traditional June slot due to the blazing temperatures Qatar sees during that time. 

While temperatures will be nowhere near the 50C it can reach in summer,...