In the center of Doha's promenade, called the Corniche, there is a huge digital clock.
This clock counts down the time until the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador and serves as a pilgrimage center.
Last night, less than a day before the games start, fans of all the national teams represented here in Doha gathered around him to make their voices heard for the last time.
It is important to note, they were not many.
A local taxi driver (taxi drivers always know everything) said that the city was empty and that there was disappointment with the number of fans who came on the eve of the opening game.
The Qataris attribute the reasons for this to the restrictions on drinking alcohol, the fact that many national teams enter the game circuit only later in the week, and the fact that many spend the night outside the city and come straight to the games.
Anyway, around the digital clock gathered a family with many children from Australia, a group of Ghanaians who opened a circle and gave the traditional dances, some Mexicans in green shirts, Argentinians who hummed some cheering songs and serious Tunisians who waved the flag and played loud local music that they carried with them.
At some point, "Polpito Hincha" (the Octopus Man), one of the most famous fans of Colombia, also arrived, and for a moment you could forget that his favorite team did not even qualify for the tournament.
Argentines on wheels.
An exceptional atmosphere awaits the fans, photo: Dor Hoffman
The atmosphere, and this is putting it mildly, is too solemn.
Unlike Russia 2018, where thousands of fans from each team made noise on the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg, here, at this stage, there are individual teams from each country - many of them more tourists than football fans.
The economic interest is taking its toll, and it is evident.
"I came from Toronto to cheer for Ecuador, because I have family there," a yellow supporter told Israel Hayom, "but I would love for Canada to succeed as well."
"I heard that 80 thousand Mexicans will come here," said another fan with a sombrero, "but the truth is that I don't really know where they are."
Mexican fans.
80 thousand are not, photo: Reuters
Looking for a quiet corner
The efforts of the organizers to create an atmosphere are tremendous.
This is reflected in flags, fan complexes, posters and a lot of color.
They try so hard that it is difficult to find a quiet corner in the streets of Doha.
Everywhere ear-splitting speakers are placed playing expired music - but this is still not it.
In the end, this World Cup needs the fans, the songs and the real atmosphere.
In the end, this World Cup needs the football.
Let it start already.
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