Qatari YouTuber Ghanim Al Muftah, 20, starred alongside Morgan Freeman in the World Cup opening ceremony.
Al Muftah is known for his motivational speeches and social media presence, featuring on TEDxQatarUniversity in 2018, aged 16, to talk about his condition, caudal regression syndrome.
Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) affects the development of the lower half of the body, which can include the spine, limbs, bladder, bowels and gut.
The bones in the lower spine can be abnormal or missing, with spinal abnormalities often also affecting the chest, which makes breathing difficult.
Qatar-born Mr Al Muftah was chosen as one of the official FIFA World Cup Ambassadors this year.
In a statement, the Loughborough University politics student said: 'Within my capacities as a [Fifa World Cup] ambassador, I want to send a message of hope, inclusivity, peace, and unity for humanity.'
Mr Al Muftah is known for his philanthropy, having set up the Association of Ghanim with help from his family.
The association donates wheelchairs to the people in need.
The young man, who has over three million followers on Instagram, was also named 'Ambassador of Peace' by H.H the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in 2014.
Ghanim hopes to become a future Paralympian and lists football as one of his favourite sports.
The inspirational 20-year-old says he grew up playing football at school wearing shoes on his hands.
The Qatar World Cup started on 20 November 2022, with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring camels, actor Morgan Freeman and a performance by Jung Kook, the singer of K-pop boyband BTS.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, welcomed spectators in English and Arabic.
Four years on from the World Cup in Russia, the Qatar World Cup has drawn its share of controversy after allegations of corruption during the bid to host the event, poor treatment of workers reported by Amnesty International, and illiberal state policies.
Homosexuality is a crime in Qatar and women have limited rights.
Organisers say all are welcome to attend the tournament.
zinbclrst
87
Saying women have limited rights is ridiculous firstly, and 8 of the 32 past world cup hosts criminalized homosexuality including Russia but you don’t say anything unless the host is muslim!…and how can you suddenly speak about qatar while every European country and the United sates host tournaments every year and they have thousands of crimes and labor violations committed daily, hypocrisy
DEEKOOW
57
islamic religion is a peace🥰
wopcdlosty
49
I will always Respect Morgan Freeman. I know Americans will be critisizing him for appearing at the ceremony but honestly speaking this man is an inspiration to most of us besides his greates Hollywood career i adore this Great Man.
bahe
40
yesterday we witnessed the greatest moments in the history of football this was more than opening ceremony it was life lesson for every human being.
mohamedabdi143
18
Masha Allah may Allah protect the brother
vimabdmorz
8
The West don't understand the culture of the East. My best wishes to Ghanim Al Muftah wishing him all the best .