Posted in: 10/08/2022 – 12:42Last updated: 10/08/2022 – 12:38
–
Doha (AFP) – The Qatar World Cup 2022 will start on November 20 instead of the twenty-first of the same month, after the organizers decided to present the opening match one day, according to what AFP learned from sources close to the World Cup file on Wednesday.
The move, which must be approved by the International Football Association Board (FIFA) before the start of the 100-day countdown to the finals this week, will preserve the tradition of the host country playing the opening match.
Under the current schedule, Senegal and the Netherlands play the first match on November 21, followed by the official opening match between Qatar and Ecuador later that day.
Confirmation of the change was expected soon, the sources said. FIFA and the local organizing committee declined to comment on this news.
A source close to the file told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that “there were discussions and an agreement between the two teams concerned, and there was also a request from CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation.”
“We wanted to follow the tradition that the defending champion or the host country take part in the opening match.”
Under the change, the Netherlands-Senegal match will be moved from 1:00 p.m. local time (10.00 GMT) on November 21 to 7:00 p.m.
The source added, “This is better for both teams, for the carrier channels and for several parties and destinations.”
© 2022 AFP
–
