Soccer

World Cup to begin one day earlier than planned to allow Qatar to play opener

Original plan was for the opening ceremony to be held before Qatar’s game on November 21st

The World Cup's start date is set to be brought forward by a day to allow hosts Qatar to play the opening game. Photograph: Getty Images
Wed Aug 10 2022 - 14:38

The World Cup in Qatar will kick-off a day earlier than scheduled if Fifa’s ruling bureau agree to a plan to hold the opening ceremony and the host nation’s first match on Sunday November 20th, a source close to the discussions told Reuters.

The original plan was for the opening ceremony to be held before Qatar’s game on November 21st against Ecuador — which created the unusual situation of two matches being held before the ceremony.

Normally the ceremony is conducted before the kick-off of the first game of the tournament.

The Group A match between Senegal v Netherlands and the Group B match between England and Iran were scheduled to take place before the ceremony on the Monday.

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The plan has to be voted on by the heads of Fifa’s six regional confederations and president Gianni Infantino but, despite the late notice, is expected to win support.

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The switch to a November 20th opening ceremony and game would allow the Senegal-Netherlands match, scheduled for 1pm local time on November 21st, to kick off later in the day. The Group B matches on that day, which also include the United States v Wales, would be unaffected.

Another source close to the proposal said the switch could be confirmed as early as Thursday and that the plan was to ensure that fans did not have to pay for any changes to flights or accommodation.

“The financial impact to fans has been assessed and that any additional costs to fans will be absorbed by organisers, but it is unclear who will bear these costs, whether it is Fifa, Qatar’s supreme committee for delivery and legacy or another entity,” said the source.

“There will be an assurance from organisers that any additional costs for fans to change travel bookings or accommodation won’t be borne by them and this will be assessed on a case-by case basis,” the source added.

It was not clear what the mechanism will be to manage any compensation for fans.