[Weekly Photo] Qatar Ahead of World Cup Kickoff... Festival Atmosphere Intensifies

On the 17th (local time), ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, many citizens are visiting the countdown clock sculpture on the beach in Doha, Qatar. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), large photos of players from various countries were displayed on the West Bay Building in Doha, Qatar. / Photo by AFP

The global festival, the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is now just around the corner. The festive atmosphere is rising in Qatar.

Large photos of players from various countries are displayed on the West Bay buildings in Doha, Qatar, and the countdown clock sculpture installed on Doha Beach captures the attention of citizens. In front of the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, where the final will be held, the World Cup trophy sculpture and the mascot 'La'eeb' have been installed, and under the flags of the participating countries hung side by side, citizens and tourists are enjoying the festive atmosphere.

This World Cup is the first ever to be held in the Middle East. The World Cup is usually held in June or July, but in Qatar, where summer daytime temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, making it unsuitable for soccer matches, the tournament will kick off in November. It is expected to be recorded as the first winter tournament in history.

The 22nd FIFA World Cup will begin with the opening ceremony on the 20th, starting a 29-day journey. It will be held at eight stadiums, including the Khalifa International Stadium.

The South Korean national team will play their first group stage match against Uruguay on the 24th at 10 PM (Korean time), followed by matches against Ghana (28th at 10 PM) and Portugal (December 3rd at 12 AM), aiming to advance to the round of 16.

Qatar is about the size of Gyeonggi Province, so the travel distances between stadiums are short. South Korea will play all three group stage matches in Group H at the Education City Stadium.

On the 17th, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), large photos of players from various countries and the World Cup trophy are displayed on the West Bay Building in Doha, Qatar. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.

On the 17th, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), large photos of players from various countries were displayed on the West Bay Building in Doha, Qatar. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.

On the 17th (local time), ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, many citizens are visiting the countdown clock sculpture on the beach in Doha, Qatar. / Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), citizens are enjoying the festive atmosphere at Katara Cultural Village in Doha, Qatar. / Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The 2022 Qatar World Cup trophy, after completing its global tour, was unveiled on the 15th (local time) at Aspire Park in Doha, Qatar, where local media reporters are covering the event. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The 2022 Qatar World Cup trophy, which completed its world tour, was unveiled on the 15th (local time) at Aspire Park in Doha, Qatar, where citizens lined up to take commemorative photos. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 16th, four days before the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), an attendee is taking a photo of the tournament winner's trophy with a mobile phone at the official opening event of the FIFA Museum special exhibition held within the FIFA Fan Festival venue in Doha, Qatar. / Yonhap News

On the 16th, four days before the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), a giant official ball model of the tournament was installed at the FIFA Fan Festival venue in Doha, Qatar. / Yonhap News

On the 15th, five days before the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), security personnel on camels were patrolling near the Qatar Royal Palace by the beach in Doha, Qatar. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), citizens and tourists are enjoying the World Cup atmosphere in front of the countdown clock sculpture on the beach in Doha, Qatar. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Three days before the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, on the 17th (local time), a World Cup winner's trophy sculpture was installed in front of Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar. This stadium boasts a unique exterior made up of 974 containers, representing Qatar's international dialing code, 974. / Yonhap News

On the 16th, four days before the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), a DJ performance is taking place on the stage of the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha, Qatar. / Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), a man is wearing a soccer field-shaped outfit at a shopping mall in Doha, Qatar. / Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), the flags of participating countries were hung in a market building in Doha, Qatar. / AFP Yonhap News Photo

On the 17th, ahead of the opening of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, soccer fans wearing Brazil uniforms are taking photos at Flag Plaza in Doha, Qatar (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup (local time), flags of the World Cup participating countries were hung on the streets of Doha, Qatar. / AFP Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a woman in Corniche, Doha, Qatar, is capturing the official World Cup ball on her smartphone with the West Bay skyline in the background. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.