The 2022 football World Cup gets underway Sunday, with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador. For the first time in the tournament’s 92-year history, it’s being staged in November and December instead of the mid-year months.
It’s set to the biggest sporting event ever held in the Middle East -- and in a conservative, majority-Muslim country to boot. Qatar has spent $300 billion preparing for the tournament, which has been accompanied by controversy from the beginning.
Alcohol availability has been a particular flashpoint and on Friday, officials walked back on plans to allow the sale of beer within World Cup stadiums.