Football first came to the country in the late 1940s, with rapid development starting early the following decade, when Doha Stadium became the first arena with a grass pitch in the Gulf region. The stadium officially opened in 1962, but competitive amateur games were taking place at the site from the early 1950s. By 1973, this historic stadium near the iconic Corniche had hosted both legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and FIFA World Cup™ star Pelé, who played with the famous Santos team and wowed the Doha crowds with his skills. It is said that the Brazilian striker picked up his first career yellow card during this match, but the story remains unconfirmed to this day.
