Qatar 2022: FIFA To Change World Cup Kick-off Date |Read Why

FIFA is set to change the start of the World Cup so that the host nation Qatar can kick off the tournament.

The 2022 edition was originally due to start on Monday November 21 with Senegal playing Netherland.

Hosts Qatar were also scheduled to play Ecuador that same day after the Three Lions of England face Iran.

However, after pleas from the hosts, the world governing body will move the tournament forward by a day, allowing Felix Sanchez’s men to take part in the curtain-raiser on Sunday November 20.

The change in schedule will not affect England’s game with Iran which will still take place the next day at 1pm GMT as previously announced.

But Senegal’s game against the Netherlands will now be played at 4pm GMT on Monday that Qatar were originally supposed to play Ecuador.

FIFA wrote a letter to the Bureau of FIFA Council to effect the change.

“It has been a long standing tradition of the World Cup to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup with an opening ceremony on the occasion of the first match featuring either the hosts or the defending champions, a factor that is considered to have significant value from a ceremonial, cultural and a commercial point of view.

“The FIFA administration has assessed the commercial and legal implications of the proposal – including the impact on the contractual commitments across media rights, sponsorship, and ticketing and hospitality- as well as the impact on travelling fans and has determined that any risk is sufficiently outweighed by the value and benefits of the proposals.”

Qatar had refused to play in the opening game of the tournament at first, which was supposed to be at 1pm local time on Monday November 21.

The reason for the initial turning down of the first game is said to be because the country’s leader, Emir Tamim bin Hamad, wanted to have a fireworks display to celebrate Qatar’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

The only other fixtures amended is the original first game between Senegal and Hollan.

The Group A rivals will now take the 7pm (4pm GMT) slot on Monday Vacated by Qatar and Senegal. It will still take place at the AI Thumana Stadium.

The decision to change the start date of the World Cup still needs to be approved by the Bureau of the FIFA Council.