World Cup 2022: BBC reveal psychedelic opening title sequence for Qatar

The BBC have unveiled the opening titles for their World Cup 2022 coverage.

The Beeb usually boast an iconic opening sequence for major tournaments, with the likes of Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti used for the iconic titles of 1990 and Another Star by Stevie Wonder featuring in 2014's sequence for the tournament in Brazil. But with the World Cup in Qatar, the BBC have gone for something completely different.

Instead of drawing on the cultural aspects of the host nation, like the titles usually do, the BBC have instead opted for a kaleidoscopic animation incorporating iconic players and figures from World Cups past, including Ronaldinho, Johan Cruyff and Roger Milla. The titles are bound to polarise viewers with bright colours and commentators appearing to chant along to the backing track used. 

Studio Something, who created the film, say the title sequence “celebrates the rhythm of the World Cup – the set pieces, iconic moments, fan celebrations and skill on the pitch.”

“Now, via TikTok and other social channels, there is a culture of remixing, reattributing and resharing, and we wanted to play into this with a ‘memeable’ scrapbook style treatment, looping visuals and audio in a hypnotic 42 seconds of football fandom,” the company’s head of production, Andy Maas, claimed. “A jamboree to celebrate the 2022 tournament.”

You can watch the titles here.

A full list of every player featured in the BBC's opening title sequence for World Cup 2022