FIFA Pushes for Changes to Qatar World Cup Schedule

With less than 100 days separating the world from one of the most anticipated events of the year, reports indicate that the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) is looking to make two major changes to the schedule of the World Cup 2022 Qatar.

Rabat – With less than 100 days separating the world from one of the most anticipated events of the year, reports indicate that the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) is looking to make two major changes to the schedule of the World Cup 2022 Qatar.

FIFA is now looking to start the 2022 World Cup tournament one day earlier, and to allow the host nation Qatar to feature in the first match, according to a letter reported by the New York Times.

Qatar was originally scheduled to take part in the third of four games taking place on November 21, the first day of the tournament.

While it is unclear why Qatar was not partaking in the opening game as that has been the custom since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the proposal letter was reportedly sent to FIFA’s most senior officials, including FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, to reinstitute the custom, the New York Times report.

“It has been a longstanding tradition to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup with an opening ceremony on the occasion of the first match featuring either the hosts or the defending champions,” the letter reportedly says, adding that the tradition is considered to have “significant value from a ceremonial, cultural and commercial point of view.”

Approving the proposal would hinge on a decision from the senior FIFA officials including football leaders from six global confederations and the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.

The change to the schedule would equally affect another game that is currently scheduled as the opening one. Should FIFA approve the proposal, the Netherlands-Senegal game would have to be rescheduled from the afternoon to the evening.