Following a unanimous decision by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, the tournament will now start on November 20 instead of November 21 when three matches were scheduled, with Senegal v Netherlands set to open the event.
“The 2022 FIFA World Cup will kick off with an even bigger celebration for local and international fans, as host country Qatar will now face Ecuador on Sunday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. in a stand-alone event. “, FIFA said in a statement. said.
The decision will ensure “the continuity of a long-standing tradition” in which the first game of a World Cup features either the hosts or the defending champions.
This “follows an assessment of the competition and operational implications, as well as an extensive consultation process and agreement with key stakeholders and the host country,” the statement continued.
As a result of this decision, Senegal’s game against the Netherlands has been postponed from the afternoon to the evening of 21 November. However, the player release period will remain unchanged, starting November 14.
FIFA also noted that “ticket holders will be duly notified by email that the affected matches have been rescheduled and that their tickets will remain valid regardless of the new date/time.”
A statement issued Friday by the Supreme Committee for the Delivery and Legacy of the Qatar 2022 World Cup affirmed the host country’s support for the decision.
“The impact of this decision on fans has been assessed by FIFA. We will work together to ensure a smooth tournament for fans affected by the change,” he said.
“With 100 Days to Go, Qatar is ready. We look forward to welcoming the world to a historic edition of the FIFA World Cup.”
The tournament will now take place from November 20 to December 18.
