Qatar World Cup to begin one day earlier than planned

COVETED: The World Cup trophy. The tournament could begin a day earlier than scheduled if FIFA agree to a plan to hold the opening ceremony and the host nation's first match on Sunday, November 20.

The World Cup in Qatar will kick-off a day earlier than scheduled if FIFA's ruling bureau agree to a plan to hold the opening ceremony and the host nation's first match on Sunday, November 20, a source close to the discussions told Reuters.

The original plan was for the opening ceremony to be held before Qatar's game on Nov. 21 against Ecuador -- which created the unusual situation of two matches being held before the ceremony.