Durban — South Africans and other fans around the world became nostalgic after seeing Fifa World Cup 2010 mascot Zakumi and hearing the songs Waka Waka and Wavin’ Flag during the opening ceremony of the World Cup 2022 hosted in Qatar on Sunday.
The opening ceremony was held at the tent-shaped Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, in Qatar.
Among the attendees and performers were American award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, YouTuber Ghanim al Muftah, BTS singer Jungkook and Qatari musician Dana Al Fardan.
Halfway through the almost 30-minute opening ceremony, Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) by Shakira blared through the sound system for a few seconds.
Seconds before mascot Zakumi along with other former World Cup mascots made their way into the stadium before the introduction of La'eeb, this World Cup’s mascot.
Not long after, another anthem from the 2010 World Cup filled the stadium, Wavin’ Flag by K’naan, while flags of participating countries were being waved during the opening ceremony.
Then this World Cup’s mascot was introduced, La’eeb.
Waka Waka and Zakumi
Carried the 2022 world cup Opening Ceremony 🇿🇦🇿🇦 🔥🔥🔥 the 2010 world cup is the greatest world cup of all time. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CJ2nrAbzaN
me spotting Zakumi and hearing Waka Waka during the World Cup opening ceremony: pic.twitter.com/WBJJypTq9H
— trent's stekkie 🏴 (@tee_lfc_) November 20, 2022
Me seeing Zakumi there by Qatar #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/yeJ3qg8mSp
— Grandson of Rocks 🇿🇦 (@Kamohelo_Moloii) November 20, 2022
Seeing Zakumi at the Qatar 2022 world cup bringing Tshabalalaaaaaaaaaaaaaa flashbacks 😭😭😭#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/pW1Yk7PWse
Me hearing waka waka at #FIFAWorldCup opening.
— Omudotolo 🇳🇦 (@Nckymbt) November 20, 2022
Memories: pic.twitter.com/UBMAspfx57
These FIFA anthems are pure nostalgia ,specific one waka waka . #FIFAWorldCup #QatarWorldCup2022pic.twitter.com/NhQkRyImLO
— Rajneesh Singh (@elirajneesh) November 20, 2022
Wavin' Flag 🇳🇬🏴🇦🇷🇧🇷🇶🇦
The best World cup song I've ever heard.
It is noteworthy to mention waka waka by shakira ❤#FIFAWorldCup #QatarWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/RfK2MOFDK8
It's FIFA World Cup season and this is a reminder #Shakira made the best world cup song ever. Thank you @Shakira 🎶
— Kanwaljit Arora (@mekarora) November 21, 2022
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) 2010 , The best #FIFAWorldCup Song ever.pic.twitter.com/UfrikPaEkp
It’s incredibly difficult to top this world cup song. 12 years later and it still brings HUGE goosebumps. Nothing sexual, just straight passion for the game 😢 Wavin’ Flag #FIFAWorldCup #QatarWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/zTfiGht2g4
— Adam (@FGRAdam) November 20, 2022
Just make waka waka and wavin flag the anthems of the world cup https://t.co/lS3Fq8KQ7E
Daily News