"The 2022 FIFA World Cup will kick off with an even bigger celebration for Qatari fans and fans around the world. On Sunday, November 20, the hosts will meet Ecuador at 7:00 p.m. (GMT+3)," the sports body said in a statement.

It further noted that the opening ceremony and match of the competition at the Al Baitt stadium had been brought forward by one day following a unanimous decision by the "Bureau" of the FIFA Council on Thursday.

"As a result, the kick-off of the Senegal-Netherlands match, initially scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, November 21, has been moved to 7 p.m. on the same day," the same source said.

"This change ensures the continuity of a long-standing FIFA World Cup tradition, whereby the hosts or the reigning champions play the first match of the competition, which is held in conjunction with the opening ceremony," FIFA explained.