The controversial yet much-awaited Qatar World Cup began
on Sunday, November 20. The opening ceremony saw a host of performers from all
over the world, including South Korean boy band BTS’ singer Jungkook. Jungkook
sang the band’s famous song Dreamers on the occasion.

Watch Jungkook’s performance here: 

Ahead of the opening ceremony, BTS’ agency Bighit
Entertainment released a statement saying, “Jungkook will be performing the
official soundtrack Dreamers.” BTS released the song ahead of the opening
ceremony.

Jungkook, on Sunday, became the first Asian musician to perform the official anthem of the FIFA World Cup. In earlier editions of the World Cup, Shakira and Enrique Iglesius have had the honour. 

The lyrics of the song go: “Look who we are, we are the dreamers/ We’ll make it happen cause we believe it/ Look who we are, we are the dreamers/ We’ll make it happen cause we can see it / Cause to the one that keeps the passion, respect oh yeah/Cause to the one that keep the passion, respect oh yeah/Cause to the one that got the magic, respect, oh yeah.” 

Morgan Freeman, the Hollywood actor, hosted the event along with a 20-year-old Qatari YouTube sensation named Ghanim Al Muftah. 

Al Muftah suffers from a condition called caudal regression therapy from birth. The condition impairs the development of a person’s lower spine. Doctors had initially given him 15 years to live, but he rose through all odds and took the challenge. 

In Sunday’s match, Qatar, the host team will go up against Ecuador. This is the third time Qatar and Ecuador will go head-to-head. In these three matches, Qatar has won once and Ecuador another time. A third match ended in a draw. 

The Qatar World Cup has attracted a large degree of controversy. Questions were raised on FIFA for letting the West Asian nation host the event. Western nations have taken issue with Qatar’s record on human rights.