Football fans gather ahead of Qatar World Cup

Football fans have begun to gather in Qatar, with a month to go until the first World Cup in the Middle East kicks off. On November 20, the biggest tournament in soccer will finally get started a couple hours after sunset at the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium a new venue north of Doha built for the World Cup.

The maroon-and-white clad national team from the host country will open a tournament that has come to define the gas-rich emirate's image against the team from Ecuador probably. All 64 games over the course of 29 days involving 32 teams will be held in the Doha area, with many more shows and cultural events planned for a soccer-led party in Qatari society. About 1.2 million visitors are expected in Qatar for the first World Cup to be played in the Middle East.