The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is expected to begin a day earlier than scheduled, reported Reuters citing sources inside the organisation on Wednesday, 10 August. With just months away from the tournament, the organising committee are deliberating shifting the opening games to avoid the unusual situation of two matches being held before the ceremony.

As per the earlier plan, the tournament would have started on November 21, with Senegal vs Netherlands and England vs Iran, after which the opening ceremony would have taken place ahead of the host nation’s group stage encounter.

The changes will only be made if FIFA’s ruling bureau agrees to a plan to hold the opening ceremony and the host nation’s first match on Sunday, November 20.

“The plan has to be voted on by the heads of FIFA’s six regional confederations and president Gianni Infantino but, despite the late notice, is expected to win support,” said the Reuters report.

The switch to a November 20 opening ceremony and the subsequent host nation game would allow Senegal vs Netherlands match, scheduled for 1 PM local time on November 21, to kick off later in the day.

The Group B matches on that day, which also includes United States v Wales, would be unaffected.

This FIFA World Cup is expected to the last edition of the tournament for several legends of this generation. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Gareth Bale will try once again to vie for this elusive international trophy.

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