Asian Cup 2023 kicks off with colourful opening ceremony in Qatar - in pictures

Hosts take on Lebanon in opening match of tournament

Opening ceremony of the AFC 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail, Qatar, on Friday, January 12, 2024. EPA

Fireworks during the opening ceremony in Lusail. Reuters

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during the opening ceremony at the Lusail Stadium. AP

Opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail, Qatar. EPA

Performers during the opening ceremony of the Asian Cup ahead of the first match between Qatar and Lebanon in Lusail. EPA

Opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail. EPA

Performers in Lusail on Saturday. EPA

Opening ceremony for the rescheduled 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail, Qatar. EPA

Supporters cheer before the Asian Cup Group A match between Qatar and Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. AP

Opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail. EPA

Performers during the opening ceremony of the Asian Cup in Qatar. EPA

The 2023 Asian Cup kicked off with a colourful opening ceremony in Qatar on Friday. EPA

The Lusail Stadium before the opening match of the Asian Cup 2023. Reuters

A replica of the Asian Cup trophy. Reuters

A large replica of the Asian Cup trophy before the start of the 2023 Asian Cup match between Qatar and Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium. AFP

A little over a year after it hosted a memorable 2022 Fifa World Cup, Qatar welcomed top-level football to its shores once again as the rescheduled 2023 Asian Cup kicked off in Lusail on Friday.

After China backed out of hosting the tournament, Qatar - who have hosted the Asian Cup twice before in 1988 and 2011 - accepted the opportunity.

Friday was a moment to celebrate at the Lusail Stadium, which would later host the opening match between Qatar and Lebanon.

The opening ceremony celebrated the diversity of the football teams in the competition, the region's animal kingdom and its storytelling heritage.

The ceremony featured a musical called The Lost Chapter of Kelileh and Demneh. It featured actors portraying 24 animals native to Asia and the Middle East.

This year's tournament features 24 teams from across the continent. World Cup-qualifying teams South Korea, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Iran are among the nations competing in the tournament that runs until February 10.

Tottenham's South Korea forward Son Heung-Min is arguably the biggest star attraction, but there are a number of other well-known names in action.

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo will be competing for Japan and he will be joined by compatriots Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Takumi Minamino (Monaco) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal).