Qatar 2022

Qatar 2022: Why has the opening match of the FIFA World Cup been changed?

When everyone thought that the 2022 World Cup curtain-raiser would be Qatar vs. Ecuador, FIFA announced changes to kick-off times. Here, find out why the opening match of Qatar 2022 was changed.

Updated on
August 11, 2022 10:23PM EDT

**© Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images**The opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has been changed.

The stage is set for Qatar 2022 after a much anticipated FIFA World Cup draw, where all eight groups have been defined despite there are three berths still up for grabs. 29 teams are already in, while more teams wait to book a place via the playoffs.

In June, Costa Rica will take on New Zealand while Peru will face Australia or the United Arab Emirates in the otherinter-continental playoff. Besides, Wales are taking on the winner of Scotland-Ukraine in the pending UEFA playoff final.

However, the World Cup has sort of begun for most as the route to the grand final is set with the group stage already defined. FIFA has announced some modifications to the schedule though, changing the opening match of the tournament.

What will be the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022?

When everyone expected Qatar and Ecuador to kick off the 2022 World Cup, FIFA has revealed new kick-off times for group stage games and that’s why the inaugural match will be different.

With the modifications, Qatar 2022 will still get underway with a Group A game but it won’t be between the aforementioned teams. Instead, Senegal vs. Netherlands will be the opening match of the World Cup on Monday November 21, 2022 at 6 AM (ET).

**On August 11, 2022, FIFA has made another last-minute change to Qatar 2022 World Cup schedule: this one moved up the opening day from November 21 to Sunday, November 20, and also gave back to Qatar vs Ecuador the status of the inauguration match, as this game will be held inmediately after the opening ceremony.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.