The International Football Association (FIFA) is considering pushing the start of the World Cup so that the match between Qatar and Ecuador will be the opening match

LONDON (UK), August 10 (PA Media/dpa/EP) –

FIFA is considering a request to move forward with the start of the World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for November 21, and one day to start the tournament with the match between the host country and Ecuador, which will become the opening match.

The World Cup finals are scheduled to start so far on Monday, November 21, with the Group A match between the Netherlands and Senegal. Qatar, as the host nation, is in the same group, although they will not make their debut in the tournament until the third match, which faces Ecuador after England began their journey against Iran, in Group B.

However, since 2006, all major tournaments have been opened by the hosts, and according to the Palestinian Authority News Agency, FIFA is considering a proposal to change the start date to Sunday 20 November. This will allow Qatar and Ecuador to play that day at 7:00 pm local time, as the only game on Sunday.

The request, with the approval of both teams and South America, is now in the hands of the FIFA Council, which includes the presidents of the six confederations.

England’s first match at the Khalifa International Stadium will not be affected and the other Group B match, where Wales will play the United States, will not be affected. The Netherlands and Senegal will move to the schedule currently occupied by Qatar, i.e. between the English and Welsh matches.

In addition, FIFA understands that bringing forward the start date will not have any effect on the preparation of invitations for the different teams, nor on their respective focus and preparations.