As ever, it's the fans who make the World Cup.
And the Middle East's first hosting of the tournament has been no different.
For all the controversy over Qatar's hosting of the games, the accommodation options — not to mention the prices — supporters from across the globe have created an unrivalled carnival atmosphere.
Here are some of the highlights so far:
Support for Palestinian cause
The people of Palestine must often feel that the world has forgotten their cause.
Still stateless after more than seven decades, very few can afford to make it to the World Cup, despite Qatar allowing flights for fans from Israel and Palestine.
But there have been messages of support from the stands at almost every match. Both Arab fans and others — including many South Americans — have shown their backing for the Palestinian people.
He's nae Neymar!
He's one of the world's most famous footballers and he's right here in Doha. But he wasn't this guy walking down the street in the Qatari capital, who was mobbed by passing fans.
Even Fox Sports believed he was the PSG and Brazil striker — currently out of action with an ankle injury — and he was manhandled by supporters desperate for a selfie.
Fox admitted they'd been “got”, as were many fans. It's not clear, but the entourage of two men leading him through the crowd suggests it was a stunt of some sort.
Line dancing gives Mexicans a wave of energy
Mexico fans don't hold back when they attend a football match, but this impromptu flashmob drew in more than 100 of them into a traditional line dance.
The spectacle had hundreds reaching for their cameras.
Mexicans travelled more than 10,000km to be at the World Cup, and have been a joy to watch.
Doha dabke v Brazilian samba
These Arab and Brazilian fans faced off in a friendly clash of cultures outside a Doha stadium.
It was the dabke vs the Brazilian samba, as onlookers filmed every moment.
The dabke is a folk dance originating in the Eastern Mediterranean, now common at weddings in the Gulf, while the Brazilian samba is self-explanatory.
Japanese tidy as they go
The Japanese been dubbed the world's most considerate football fans for scouring stadiums for rubbish after matches.
Whether winning against Germany or losing to Costa Rica, supporters have been scrupulously courteous.
Japan supporters who had tickets for Qatar vs Ecuador even cleaned that stadium after the game.
Middle East fans' energy
There have been impressive performances by the region's teams at this World Cup, with Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Iran all punching above their weight.
But it is their fans who have brought an energy to the streets of Doha that the city has seldom seen before.
The Souq Waqif became a focal point for fans, who have celebrated late into the night with drums and chanting.
The celebrations have been good natured, with barely any reports of trouble — in contrast to previous tournaments.
Family-friendly affair
The British media fixation on beer availability and prices at the start of the tournament appeared to dominate its opening days.
In fact, fans found that they could buy whatever drinks they wished in a range of dedicated areas.
But ensuring there was no alcohol available inside stadiums and in Doha's city centre, for example, has created a family-friendly atmosphere seldom seen in other World Cup and Euro tournaments.
And the interaction between police, security and Qatari locals and fans has been second to none.
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Points Classification after Stage 1
1. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) 20
2. Stefan Kueng (Switzerland / BMC Racing) 17
3. Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus / Team Sky) 15
4. Tony Martin (Germany / Katusha) 13
5. Matteo Trentin (Italy / Quick-Step) 11
6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 10
7. Jos van Emden (Netherlands / LottoNL) 9
8. Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland / Team Sky) 8
9. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 7
10. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Dimension Data) 6
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
