World Cup 2022 schedule change? How Qatar vs Ecuador, opening ceremony plans could impact USA and England

The 2022 FIFA World Cup schedule was set back in April when the groups were determined. Organizers took time following the group draw to break down the matchups and settle on a calendar that was optimized for fan travel and TV time slots around the world.

The final schedule created in the aftermath of the draw raised eyebrows when it did not include a traditional inaugural match involving host nation Qatar. Instead, the opening match on Monday, November 21 is slated to be contested between Qatar’s Group A rivals Senegal and the Netherlands. 

The host has played in the opening match of each World Cup since 2006, superseding the previous tradition of the defending champions playing in the opening match.

However, multiple August reports indicated that a schedule change could be in the works which would see Qatar’s tournament opener moved to be a standalone inaugural match accompanied by the pomp and circumstance of a formal opening ceremony.

ESPN’s Fernando Palomo reported the news via Twitter on August 9. A translation of his post reads: 

I’ve learned that FIFA is evaluating starting the World Cup on November 20 with an opening ceremony and a single game: Qatar vs. Ecuador. It’s still taking shape, but they are thinking about it.

This would entail shifting Qatar’s opening Group A match against Ecuador from Monday, November 21 to Sunday, November 20, essentially moving up the start of the tournament by a day.

The reports indicated that World Cup 2022 organizers submitted a letter to FIFA requesting the modification to the schedule, and that it required approval by a board of FIFA executives, including president Gianni Infantino and the heads of all six FIFA confederations. 

MORE: Complete World Cup 2022 calendar with dates, times and stadiums

Proposed World Cup schedule changes

The reported schedule that is being proposed would see the tournament open play on November 20 instead of November 21.

The reported changes that have been proposed would involve the Qatar vs. Ecuador match date, as well as the kickoff time for the other Group A match between Senegal and the Netherlands.

Current World Cup opening schedule

New proposed opening schedule

How would World Cup schedule changes affect England & USA?

The schedule change would not directly affect the U.S. national team or England, as their opening matches would remain slated for their original kickoff times.

The only match that would be impacted outside of Qatar’s opener would be the other Group A game on November 21 between Senegal and the Netherlands. Instead of occupying an early time slot, it would move into the window vacated by the Qatar vs. Ecuador match.

However, there could be ticketing issues that arise from the schedule changes, which could involve USMNT and Wales fans with tickets to watch their team in person at the World Cup.

Fans are barred from purchasing tickets to matches in consecutive time slots since it would be physically impossible to attend both matches. This measure has been in place since the launch of World Cup ticket sales.

If the time for the Senegal vs. Netherlands match is pushed directly prior to the USA vs. Wales match, then fans who had already purchased tickets to watch both would be negatively impacted.

This fan cited by Tariq Panja of The New York Times did just that given the original schedule allowed for seven hours between the end of Senegal vs. Netherlands and the start of USA vs. Wales. That gap would be reduced to just a single hour given the reported changes that would see them scheduled as back-to-back games.

FIFA’s late plan is already causing chaos for some fans who bought tickets. Martin here has tickets for Ned-Senegal and USA-Wales. He can’t now attend both. https://t.co/fMwn60LLaZ https://t.co/jCNUJLcYXJ pic.twitter.com/yBgsO80v9S

— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) August 10, 2022

MORE: Full fixture list, schedule, and preview for World Cup Group A | Group B

Other effects of reported World Cup schedule change

The new proposed changes to the World Cup schedule would also create a slightly tighter turnaround for players from Qatar and Ecuador who are required to report to their national team on Monday, November 14. The proposed shift from November 21 to November 20 would allow for one less day of preparations.

This could affect players such as Ecuador striker Enner Valencia, whose last club match with Fenerbahce before the World Cup is scheduled for November 13. That leaves just seven days between his final club match and his first World Cup game in Qatar.

Others Ecuadorians playing in Europe who could see their run-up to the tournament impacted include Moises Caciedo (Brighton), Carlos Gruezo (Augsburg), and Pervis Estupinan (Villarreal) among others.

The host nation is less likely to be affected by the change, as the Qatar national team is almost entirely comprised of domestic-based players from the local Qatar Stars League which will likely be flexible in altering the league schedule to assist with national team travel and training. Only seven of the Star League’s 22 matchdays have been scheduled thus far.

Why is FIFA considering World Cup schedule changes?

According to a report on Aug. 10 by Tariq Panja of the New York Times, the move is being proposed to see Qatar continue the tradition of the host nation opening the World Cup.

The report included a portion of the letter submitted to FIFA, which was obtained by the New York Times. 

“It has been a longstanding tradition to mark the start of the FIFA World Cup with an opening ceremony on the occasion of the first match featuring either the hosts or the defending champions,” the letter read, “a factor that is considered to have significant value from a ceremonial, cultural and commercial point of view.”

It’s still unclear why Qatar was not scheduled to play in a standalone opening match of the World Cup in the first place.