**Chapter 2: Kicking Off in Qatar**

The World Cup was just around the corner, and Daniel's excitement was palpable as he boarded the team plane to Qatar. The English national team had been training for months, and he was determined to lead them to victory. As he settled into his seat, he couldn't help but think about how much his life had changed since the start of the Harry Potter series. He had grown up on screen, and now he was a renowned football star, but he still felt like he was living in a dream. The team had arrived in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, a few days ago, and Daniel was eager to get started with the tournament. He had always loved the thrill of competition, and the World Cup was the biggest stage of all. As he looked out the window, he felt a sense of pride and responsibility wash over him. He was the captain of the team, and he knew that his teammates were counting on him to lead them to victory. The team's first match was against Senegal, and Daniel was confident that they would make a strong start. He had been in top form lately, and his training regimen had paid off. The English team had a tough road ahead of them, but Daniel was convinced that they had what it took to make it to the finals. As the team arrived at the stadium for their first match, Daniel felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. The crowd was cheering, and he could hear the roar of the fans as he stepped off the bus. He flashed a quick smile to the cameras, his eyes scanning the sea of faces for a glimpse of Emma, who was supposed to be in the stands, cheering him on. The English team took to the pitch, and Daniel led them in a fierce chant, his voice carrying above the din of the crowd. The whistle blew, and the game was underway. The next few hours were a blur of sweat, adrenaline, and skill, as Daniel and his teammates battled it out on the field. When the final whistle blew, England had emerged victorious, with Daniel scoring a crucial goal that sealed their win. As he walked off the pitch, he was met with cheers and congratulations from his teammates. It was a great start to the tournament, and Daniel felt like they were on a roll. The post-match press conference was a blur of questions and congratulations, but Daniel's eyes kept drifting back to Emma, who was smiling at him from across the room. He had invited her to the game, and she looked stunning in her red England jersey, her hair tied back in a ponytail. He caught her eye and smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her for being there to support him. After the press conference, Daniel made his way to the locker room, where his teammates were celebrating their win with champagne and laughter. As he raised a glass to toast their success, his eyes met Emma's across the room, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. It was as if time had stopped, and Daniel felt like he was drowning in her gaze. He couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to their chance encounter earlier that day. Was it just a coincidence, or was there something more to it? As Daniel made his way through the crowds of fans and reporters, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't even imagine. The thrill of the game still coursing through his veins, he made his way to the team bus, his mind racing with thoughts of Emma and the World Cup. Little did he know, this was just the beginning of an incredible journey that would take him to new heights, both on and off the pitch.