Roughly three months separate us from the start of the most prestigious soccer event around the globe. With exciting European league soccer keeping us busy, it’s going to be here before we know it. Qatar will be a unique addition to the list of World Cups. It will be the last to feature the original format ahead of major changes in 2026. Moreover, we will tackle the 2022 FIFA World Cup Opening Date Changes recently announced to the public.

Date Information for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

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The date changes in the 2022 FIFA World Cup mean the first-day action takes off earlier. Host country Qatar plays Ecuador on Sunday, November 20, as part of a stand-alone event. The opening clash and ceremony of the 22nd edition of the tournament will happen at Al Bayt Stadium. The schedule was advanced one day following a unanimous decision settled by the Bureau of the FIFA Council. Consequently, the game between Senegal and the Netherlands will happen a few hours earlier on Monday, November 21.

Encouraging the changes keeps the continuity of an established tradition marking the start of the FIFA World Cup with opening rituals on the occasion of the opening game featuring either the hosts or the defending champions. The agreement came after an assessment of the competition and several logistical implications. Furthermore, thorough consultation procedures and settlement with key stakeholders and the host country make for a more traditional start to the event.

FIFA reiterated that “ticket holders will be duly notified by email that the relevant matches have been rescheduled and their tickets will remain valid irrespective of the new date/time.” They also added, “The impact of this decision on fans was assessed by FIFA. We will work together to ensure a smooth tournament for the supporters affected by the change.”.

It’s worth noting that the opening game could be a close one. The host country takes on Ecuador as +232 underdogs, while the challengers are not too far at +122 favorites. There’s also a sound +224 chance that the game ends in a draw.

Where to Bet on the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Bitcoin

Adding to the thrill of league soccer, Nitrobetting keeps the action going with the latest 2022 FIFA World Cup odds. We house early futures odds for the winner, with more game odds as the tournament draws closer.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022 FIFA World Cup previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest soccer betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.