2022 World Cup will kick off with opening ceremony adopted by recreation between Ecuador and host Qatar in Al Bayt Stadium.
FIFA has moved the beginning of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar ahead by sooner or later to permit the host nation to play after a gap ceremony on Sunday, November 20.
The soccer governing physique confirmed the choice on Thursday, saying that it adopted an evaluation of the “competitors and operational implications” and consultations with stakeholders and the host nation.
“The change ensures the continuity of a long-standing custom of marking the beginning of the FIFA World Cup with a gap ceremony on the event of the primary match that includes both the hosts or the defending champions,” FIFA mentioned in a press release.
The opening recreation was set to be an encounter between Senegal and the Netherlands on November 21. After Thursday’s determination, that match was moved to 6 hours later, taking the night spot beforehand allotted to Qatar v Ecuador.
The opening ceremony and first recreation will happen on the 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of the Qatari capital Doha.
“The FIFA World Cup 2022 will kick off with a good better celebration for native and worldwide followers as host nation Qatar will now play Ecuador on Sunday, 20 November at 19:00 (16:00 GMT) as a part of a stand-alone occasion,” FIFA mentioned.
This yr’s version brings the World Cup to the Arab World for the primary time.
The 2022 World Cup can be the primary within the event’s 92-year historical past to be performed in November and December. The earlier 21 editions have been all performed between late Might and the top of July.
FIFA finalised a call to play within the northern fall season in 2015 to keep away from Qatar’s summer time warmth, regardless of opposition from most European soccer our bodies that have been irked by having to close down their home leagues for a number of peak weeks.
The event’s ultimate will happen on December 18, Qatar’s Nationwide Day.
“Ticket holders might be duly notified by electronic mail that the related matches have been rescheduled and their tickets will stay legitimate no matter the brand new date/time. As well as, FIFA will search to deal with any points arising from this modification in a case-by-case foundation,” FIFA mentioned on Thursday.