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Countdown to 7 pm: World Cup opens with host Qatar Vs Ecuador

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FILE - Qatar's coach Felix Sanchez reacts during the international friendly soccer match between Serbia and Qatar, at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)


Given the level of focus on the Qatari regime, its attitudes toward human rights, immigrant workers, the LGBTQ community - and beer - the World Cup host's soccer team has slipped under the radar.

Qatar opens the tournament against Ecuador on Sunday, but even the buildup to that match has been overshadowed by Friday's announcement that the sale of beer will be banned inside the stadium grounds.

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