As the month-long World Cup feast has drawn to the end, China Daily website shares with you a selected photo calendar of the tournament together with the stories behind each of the images.
Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman (L) and Ghanim Al Muftah perform during the opening ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar, on November 20, 2022. Ghanim Al-Muftah, 20, born with the rare Caudal Regression Syndrome, appeared with Freeman and stated to the world that "everyone is welcome". [Photo/Agencies]
China's referee Ma Ning (third left) poses with other referees and players before a Group A match between the United States and Wales as the fourth official at the FIFA World Cup in Doha November 21, 2022. Chinese soccer referees appeared at the FIFA World Cup field 20 years after debuting in the tournament in 2002. Ma, 43, was among the 36 referees FIFA selected for the Qatar tournament and served as the fourth official for six matches during the group stage. [Photo/VCG]
Argentina's Nahuel Molina (top) in action as Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Owais collides into Yasser Al-Shahrani (bottom) during their Group C match of the FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar, November 22, 2022. Al-Shahrani underwent successful surgery on his pancreas after the collision during which his team shockingly upset Argentina 2-1. Medical examinations revealed Al-Shahrani was in a "stable condition" after "suffering a strong clash in the head, chest and abdomen". [Photo/Agencies]
Japan's Kaoru Mitoma (No 9), Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada (top) celebrate after their Group E match win over Germany of the FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar, November 23, 2022. Japan came from behind to stun the four-time champion 2-1 in their World Cup opener in Qatar. [Photo/Agencies]
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates their first goal with a banner of Argentina's Lionel Messi in the background during a Group H match against Ghana of the FIFA World Cup at Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar, November 24, 2022. Ronaldo become the first man to score in five consecutive World Cup tournament appearances. [Photo/Agencies]
A fan of Argentina holds up a Lionel Messi knitted doll during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. Messi came up with another crucial goal for Argentina in a 2-0 win over Mexico that ignited the team's World Cup chances after shockingly losing to Saudi Arabia in the first round of the group stage. [Photo/VCG]
Robert Lewandowski of Poland celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Saudi Arabia at Education City Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. The goal was the debut World Cup score for the 34-year-old veteran striker and twice Ballon d'Or winner, who has capped 138 games for Poland with 78 goals, including the tournament in Qatar. [Photo/Agencies]
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (No 7) attempts to head a goal as Bruno Fernandes score their first goal during a Group H match against Uruguay of the FIFA World Cup at Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar, November 28, 2022. Fernandes curled in a cross from the left that barely went over the head of the leaping Ronaldo and bounced into the far corner of the net in the 54th minute to give Portugal a 1-0 lead. The goal was eventually credited to Fernandes after multiple close-up replays were shown. [Photo/Agencies]
Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian is comforted by Josh Sargent from the USA after their Group B match of the FIFA World Cup at al-Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar, November 29, 2022. Iran was eliminated from the last 16 round after losing 0-1 to the USA. [Photo/IC]
Fans of the United States and Iran share a moment before the two teams' group stage match of the FIFA World Cup at al-Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar, November 29, 2022. Iran was eliminated from the last 16 round after losing 0-1 to the US. [Photo/IC]
