FIFA World Cup 2022 – FIFA World Cup Schedule: FIFA has formally moved the World Cup start up by one day to give host nation Qatar an exclusive Sunday evening slot with a global audience. Qatar will now play Ecuador in Doha on Nov. 20 — just 101 days after FIFA’s decision on Thursday. According to the new FIFA World Cup schedule, the MEGA EVENT will now be played over 29 days from the 28 agreed seven years ago. Follow FIFA World Cup LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar vs Ecuador to kick off FIFA World Cup 2022 on November 20
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FIFA World Cup 2022: FIFA officially moves World Cup start date, FIFA World Cup in Qatar now to start on November 20
FIFA World Cup Schedule: The surprise late switch was signed off by a FIFA committee. It comprised its president Gianni Infantino and presidents of the six continental soccer bodies. FIFA said the vote was unanimous.
The plan was revealed Wednesday after several rounds of ticket sales to fans worldwide since last year.
“FIFA will seek to address any issues arising from this change in a case-by-case basis,” soccer’s world body said Thursday regarding fans whose travel plans are affected. The risk to fans “is sufficiently outweighed by the value and benefits of the proposal”
Qatar VS Ecuador in Doha on Nov. 20: Qatar will now make its World Cup debut kicking off against Ecuador at 7 p.m. local time on November 20. The match will be played after an opening ceremony on the field at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium.
The meeting of the world’s No. 49 and No. 44-ranked men’s national teams was originally scheduled 24 hours later on Nov. 21 after the finals tournament draw was made April 1 in Doha.
- In the original schedule, the opening ceremony was still planned to take place before Qatar-Ecuador. This was despite it being the third game of the tournament.
- It is unclear why Qatar’s first game was not scheduled in April as the tournament opener.
- The first game until Thursday’s decision was Netherlands-Senegal in Qatar’s Group A. That now moves back to the Monday slot vacated by Qatar-Ecuador.
FIFA acknowledged in its letter this week the “significant value from a ceremonial, cultural and commercial point of view,” to have the opening ceremony before the tournament’s first game featuring the host nation.
Sponsors could also have their plans disrupted, according to Ricardo Fort, a former marketing executive with World Cup. TOP-TIER backers Coca-Cola and Visa, who described the late date change as “a huge problem.”
“They (sponsors) invited and confirmed hospitality guests, booked flights & hotels, and contracted with all the necessary logistics. Imagine changing it all!” Fort wrote on his Twitter account.
European leagues such as England’s Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A will play through the Nov. 12-13 weekend, just seven days before the new opening game date.
Those leagues will shut down during the World Cup. The World Cup ends with a Sunday, Dec. 18 final on Qatar’s National Day. The Premier League is the first to resume on Dec. 26.
While an opening game on Sunday evening in Qatar should play well with viewers in Asia and Europe. In the United States the kickoff will be 11 am EST. That puts the World Cup opener in direct competition with NFL pre-game coverage.
The US soccer team plays its World Cup opener against Wales in the late Monday game in Qatar.
Follow FIFA World Cup LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
