FIFA and Qatar organizers on Friday counted the cost of bringing forward the start of the World Cup by a day as they launched the 100-day countdown to the event.
Football’s ruling body and the wealthy Gulf state both promised action to help fans, sponsors, and broadcasters hit by the change, announced late Thursday, but did not give details.
The sudden move to bring forward Qatar’s match against Ecuador by 24 hours — to make it the gala opening match — has only added to the public relations concerns as the conservative host country counters criticism of its rights record and fan worries about what to expect when they arrive.
It is less than three months from the start. This has come out of the blue. It is not critical but it is a headache, said an executive for one World Cup broadcaster, speaking on condition of anonymity.
FIFA said its president Gianni Infantino and the six heads of the continental confederations had unanimously agreed to make Qatar’s game and the official opening ceremony a “stand-alone” event.
Qatari organizers, who have spent billions of dollars preparing for the event since winning hosting rights in 2010, welcomed FIFA’s gesture for their “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to host the event.
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, organisers added in a statement, without giving details.
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