The group games will be played over a 12-day period, with matches not being assigned to particular venues until after the finals draw in March 2022 in order to choose optimal kick-off times to suit television audiences in different countries as well as supporters out in Qatar, Sky Sports reported.

Kick-off times for the first two rounds of Qatar World Cup matches will be 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm and 10 pm local time, and with the stadiums all within a 40-mile radius of each other, it will enable supporters and media to realistically attend two games on the same day.

Kick-off times in the final round of group games and knock-out round matches will be at 6 pm and 10 pm local time.

For all but three games there will be a three-day rest period in between.

The tournament’s opening match will be played at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor on Monday, November 21 in a match that will feature the host country.

The 2022 final venue is the Lusail Stadium in Doha, with the showpiece game to be played on Sunday, December 18, kick-off at 6 pm local time.