The 2022 World Cup start date is moving up by a day, according to multiple reports.
Host Qatar is now scheduled to play Ecuador in the opening match on Nov. 20, an update to the existing slate that had Senegal and the Netherlands playing the first match on Nov. 21.
Host countries are traditionally given the opening match of the World Cup.
ESPN reported the schedule adjustment was made after Qatar requested to have a later kickoff on Nov. 21 to appease the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who wanted a fireworks display before his country’s opening match. The afternoon kickoff would limit the visual of any pyrotechnics.
In the overhauled scheduled, Senegal-Netherlands slides from 1 p.m. local time to 7 p.m. That spot was created by moving Qatar’s match.
The other Monday matches, which pit England vs. IR Iran (4 p.m. local) and United States vs. Wales (10 p.m. local), are unchanged.
–Field Level Media
