The Associated Press reported from an informed source that there is a proposal being considered by FIFA to start the upcoming 2022 World Cup a day earlier than scheduled. According to the unnamed source cited by the Associated Press, FIFA is examining a plan to allow the host nation to play against Ecuador on November 20.
The source indicated that a decision could be made in the coming days by a committee including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the heads of the six football associations. The proposal has also received support from the tournament organizers and leaders of the South American Football Confederation during discussions that also involved the football federations of Qatar and Ecuador.
The World Cup was originally set to begin on November 21, with the Netherlands facing Senegal at 1 PM local time in Doha. Qatar and Ecuador were also scheduled to compete in Group A six hours after the match between the Netherlands and Senegal.
