After a 12-year build-up engulfed by a desert storm of controversy, the World Cup finally kicks off in Qatar today, with Lionel Messi aiming to crown his glittering career by winning the football’s greatest prize.
Recall that the first ever World Cup was held in the Arab world and the first staged outside of the northern hemispheres summer window gets under way at the 60,000-capacity Al-Bayt Stadium, where hosts Qatar take on Ecuador in Group A.
It marks the start of a month-long football extravaganza which embattled Qatari organisers desperately hope will be remembered for events on the field rather than off it.
