Qatar World Cup 2022: opening date and opening match change

The decision comes just over three months before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup

The opening date and opening match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup are changing with just over three months to go until the start of the rainbow event. The inaugural match and opening ceremony, scheduled at Al Bayt Stadium for Monday, Nov. 21, have been moved forward to Nov. 20 following a unanimous decision today by the FIFA Council Bureau . Also changing are the contenders for the first World Cup match, which will see Qatar and Ecuador face each other at 7 p.m. local time and not Senegal-Holland, which remains scheduled on the 21st with a new time (7 p.m.).

“The change ensures the continuity of a long tradition of starting with an opening ceremony at the first match featuring the hosts or defending champions. The decision followed an assessment of the operational implications, as well as a thorough consultation process and agreement with key stakeholders and the host country,” is Fifa’s note.