sport news IAN LADYMAN: The decision to start the 2022 World Cup a day early is ... trends now

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FIFA’S sudden decision to start a World Cup 12 years in the planning a day earlier than publicised so close to the starting line is both ridiculously late and — for supporters at least — wildly impractical.

Qatar’s opening game with Ecuador is set to move a day earlier to Sunday, November 20, having initially been scheduled for the Monday evening slot after three other matches had been played. It is a move entirely typical of a world body long out of touch with the real needs and values of the game. It is also a move that cuts right to the very heart of the illegal, unethical and, to this day, utterly bemusing decision to award the World Cup to Qatar in the first place.

As everybody but FIFA seemed to know back in 2010 when their executives’ votes were bought and sold, it is impossible to play competitive football in the Middle East in the summer. It is too hot. So the tournament was moved, to the inconvenience of just about every domestic league and competition in the world, to the depths of this coming winter.