>
REVEALED: FIFA are considering bringing this year’s World Cup FORWARD one day to allow hosts Qatar to play in the traditional curtain-raiser (and so the Emir can have his fireworks!)
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
FIFA is reportedly set to change the start date of the World Cup so that the host nation, Qatar, can play first.
The tournament was initially due to start on Monday November 21 with Senegal playing the Netherlands.
However, the international governing body has decided to move the tournament forwards by a day to allow the host nation to play first.
FIFA is reportedly set to change the start date of the World Cup so that Qatar can play first
Therefore, Qatar will play Ecuador on Sunday November 20 at 7pm (2pm ET), instead of the original date of Monday November 21 at 7pm (2pm ET).
However, the decision to change the start date of the World Cup will not affect England’s opening game of the tournament.
The Three Lions will take on Iran in their first game of Group B on November 21 as originally planned.
The decision to change the start date of the World Cup still needs to be approved by the Bureau of the FIFA Council.
Eleven years ago Qatar shocked world football after winning the right to host the World Cup
That includes resident Gianni Infantino and the leaders of each continental confederation.
However, the Athletic have reported that an agreement over the new start date should be granted in the comings days.
This would mean the World Cup in Qatar would take place from November 20 to December 18.
Qatar have never hosted the tournament before; in fact, they’ve never competed in it, becoming just the second nation since Italy in 1934 to play in a World Cup without ever officially qualifying for it.
If the change of date is approved by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, the World Cup in Qatar will take place from November 20 to December 18
The Emir is said to have pushed for a spectacular visual display to kick-off their tournament – calling for fireworks to take place before Qatar’s opening game
The Emir is therefore said to have pushed for a spectacular visual display to kick-off their tournament – calling for fireworks to take place before Qatar’s opening game.
Qatar’s first game of the competition is set to take place at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, which is located 27 miles outside of the Doha city centre.
Being one of the larger stadiums in use, the arena is designed to represent Arab hospitality with the structure looking like a traditional Arab tent known as ‘bayt al sha’ar’.
Because temperatures in Qatar can top 30C even in November, it will also have a retractable roof to keep out the heat – which will certainly come in handy for the display.
More to follow…