At the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM, as part of the Wanda Flagbearer program, three young Qatari residents along with three aspiring young Chinese footballers walked onto the pitch carrying the FIFA flag. They are part of a long-term partnership between Wanda and Qatar Foundation (QF) to empower and celebrate youth achievement.

The Qatari youth – Jana Abu Affsa, Raja Dinhash, and Wassam Al Rawi were selected to participate after winning an Arabic poetry competition as part of the buildup to QF's forthcoming D’reesha Performing Arts Festival, which takes place from December 11 to December 17, at QF’s Education City. More details are available at the QF website.

Meanwhile, Noora bint Hamad bin Aqeel Al-Nabet a seven-year-old participant in the Activists in Action environmental initiative led by students at QF’s Qatar Academy Doha, had the special experience of cheering the Qatar national team onto the pitch ahead of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022^TM match against Senegal, as part of the Wanda Player Warm Up Tunnel Experience. Noora was rewarded for her work in combating plastic waste and encouraging recycling by being invited to participate as part of Wanda’s partnership with QF.

And youth ambassadors from QF’s Ability Friendly program had the opportunity to attend the England football team’s final training session ahead of their game with USA, at the invitation of Wanda. The young people – Yaman Hemmoudeh, Layan Al Qassabi, Thani Faisal Al-Thani, and Robert Rosca were selected after volunteering for the Ability Friendly Program, and got to cheer on the team of football icons. They also had a surprise when England manager Gareth Southgate presented them with team jerseys.

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