Qatar, host of the next Soccer World Cup, could finally play the opening match of the tournament.
According to a person familiar with the situation, FIFA would like to move the game between Qatar and Ecuador to November 20. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to do so.
The proposal will be presented to a committee that includes FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the leaders of the six continental soccer federations. The decision is expected by the end of the week.
According to a letter sent by FIFA this week, a copy of which was obtained by AP, the federation wants approval by Thursday.
Qatar would therefore play on Sunday, the same day as the opening ceremony, at Al Bayt Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 60,000 spectators.
So far, the World Cup was scheduled to start on November 21, a Monday, according to a decision made in 2015 when the tournament was pushed back to later in the year to avoid the heat of June and July. FIFA had also reached an agreement for the tournament to last just 28 days, to minimize the impact of the length of the break on domestic league schedules, particularly in Europe.
The host countries of the 2014 and 2018 World Cups played the opening matches of the tournaments, in Brazil and Russia respectively, on an exclusive day. However, the decision had been made for the 2022 tournament to play Qatar alongside the rest of their group in order to meet a more compact schedule in the group stage – 48 games in 12 days.
Following the tournament draw on April 1, the Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador ended up in Group A with Qatar. For now, the Netherlands and Senegal meet on November 21 at 1 p.m. local time, then Qatar and Ecuador are due to face off in the third match of the day at 7 p.m.
The decision to finally stretch the tournament over 29 days, rather than 28, would already be favored by officials in Qatar and the South American federation, CONMEBOL. The soccer federations of Qatar and Ecuador have also already been involved in the talks, the person told the AP.
FIFA acknowledged in its letter that the date change may affect some travelers who have already purchased tickets. She believes, however, that “any risk is sufficiently balanced by the value and benefits of the proposition” commercially.
A game between Qatar and Ecuador would involve few players playing in Europe, whose leagues will play their last matches on the weekend of November 12-13.