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FIFA looks to start World Cup in Qatar 1 day earlier

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks before the 2022 soccer World Cup draw at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, on April 1, 2022 AP

Host nation Qatar is set to play in the opening game of its own World Cup tournament after all - and on a stand-alone day being added to the schedule barely 100 days before kickoff.

Soccer's marquee tournament is now set start one day earlier than originally scheduled seven years ago in a move that would allow Qatar to play Ecuador on Nov. 20, a person familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

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