FIFA has confirmed that the start date of the Qatar World Cup finals has been moved forward by one day, with the competition now beginning on November 20, instead of the previously scheduled date of November 21. A statement from FIFA mentioned, "Qatar, the host country, will play against Ecuador (the opening match) on November 20."
Additionally, it was stated, "The opening match and the World Cup opening ceremony, held at Al Bayt Stadium, have been moved forward by one day following a unanimous decision made by the FIFA Council."
FIFA announced that this change is intended to preserve the tradition of the World Cup, organizing the opening ceremony before the opening match, in which one of the teams is either the host country or the defending champion. The timing of the match between Senegal and the Netherlands, scheduled for November 21, has also been changed from 1 PM to 7 PM local time. The opening match was originally supposed to be held between Qatar and Ecuador on November 21, but it was not the first match of that day.
