The 2022 fifa world cup is officially underway and as we predicted, it has already been chock full of surprises. Even before a ball was kicked, Karim Benzema has sustained a thigh injury in training and has been ruled out of the world cup.

This makes the tournament the first of its kind where neither of the top two ranked players in the Ballon d’or will feature. Sadio Mane is also out with a knee injury effectively denting Senegal hopes and aspirations for the tournament.

After the first 90 minutes were completed, another unwanted record was made. Qatar had become the first host nation to lose an opening match at a World Cup.

Not fancied against the Ecuadorians, many expected them to still put up a fight and come away with at least a draw. It was not to be though,as they were easily brushed aside  in the first half, prompting scores of Qatari fans to leave the stadium at the end of the first half.

To say that the surprises followed on day 2 would be an understatement. The game between Iran and England delivered more talking points that we could have imagined.

The match itself was a mere formality as England trounced their opponents by a whopping six goals to two. Perhaps, what was a little curious was that Harry Kane did not get on the scoresheet.

But what caught our attention was the mood of the stadium when the Iraniian anthem was being sung. Boos and jeers could be heard all over  and no - these were not by the English fans.

Iran’s fans were seen booing their own anthem and the players were visibly in agreement.