UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine are among those who have arrived in Doha.
Heads of state, politicians, diplomats and royalty have begun arriving in Qatar ahead of the World Cup on Sunday.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Doha on Saturday, followed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was seen at Hamad International Airport on Sunday, Qatar News Agency reported.
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, also arrived in his host country on Saturday ahead of the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday evening.
The arrival of Prince Mohammed in Qatar comes after Saudi Arabia and Doha will resume diplomatic relations in January 2021 following years of frozen relations.
Saudi Arabia, who play in Group C, will face Argentina on November 22.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will also attend the opening ceremony, Egyptian television quoted the president as saying on Sunday.
People who don’t attend in person send helpful messages.
On Friday, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s ambassador, received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He called the emir’s office to congratulate the host nation and wish the Qatar national team success in the upcoming matches.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at Al Bayt Stadium at 5pm (14:00 GMT) on Sunday with the Qatar-Ecuador opening match at 7pm (16:00 GMT).
The Emir’s office said the opening ceremony will be attended by “Many of Their Majesties, Majesties, and Honorable Heads of State and Heads of Delegations from brotherly and friendly countries”.
Qatar, who are competing in Group A in their first World Cup match, will face Senegal on November 25 and the Netherlands on November 29.
