By Meshach Chukwuma
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar came to a close on December 18th with a spectacular closing ceremony featuring Nigerian pop star Davido as the headlining act.
The ceremony, held at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, was attended by thousands of fans and dignitaries, including Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The ceremony began with a vibrant display of traditional Qatari dance and music, followed by a series of performances by international artists. Davido, who has become one of the biggest names in African pop music in recent years, took to the stage to perform Hayya Hayya (Better Together), FIFA World Cup 2022 Theme Song.
The ceremony also featured a special tribute to the 32 teams that participated in the World Cup, with each team being represented by a flag-bearer who carried their country’s flag around the stadium.
As the ceremony came to a close, Infantino took to the stage to thank the people of Qatar for their hospitality and for hosting a successful World Cup. “I would like to thank the people of Qatar for their warm hospitality and for making this World Cup such a memorable one,” he said. “The people of Qatar have shown the world what it means to be a great host, and we are grateful for their efforts.”
The 2022 World Cup was the first time the tournament has been held in the Middle East, and it was hailed as a resounding success by organizers and players alike. The tournament saw some of the most exciting matches in World Cup history, with unexpected upsets and thrilling finishes.
The final, held on December 18th, saw Argentina defeat France 4-2 through Penalties in a closely contested match that ended 3-3 during regular time. French striker Kylian Mbappé was named the player of the tournament, scoring four goals and Lionel Messi lead Argentina to their third World Cup victory.
The closing ceremony was a fitting end to an unforgettable World Cup, and fans will no doubt be looking forward to the next edition of the tournament in 2026, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
