FIFA FARCE MEANS WORLD CUP IS JUST ABOUT ONE THING... QATAR

PUT it in your diaries, book the Monday off work, just in case.

It was the news you have all been waiting for – Qatar versus Ecuador will now be the stand-alone game to kick off World Cup 2022.

Get the street-party bunting ready.

Little more than three months to go and there is already an element of farce to a tournament that was farcically awarded to its hosts.

A World Cup allocated 12 years ago and then moved from June/july to November/ December has now had its fixture schedule altered only 15 weeks before it is due to begin.

FIFA likes to consider itself some world superpower, its president has always liked to consider himself on a par with a world leader. But this is amateur hour.

There has been a FIFA countdown clock, marking the time elapsing until Monday, November 21.

Well, it’s now the time elapsing until Sunday, November 20.

The games that remain on November 21 have had their timings changed and there are all sorts of logistical implications.

But want to know what has really happened here? At first,

Qatar has clearly been very accommodating, bowing to demands that the tournament has few wasted days.

But now, they want the pageantry and the pyrotechnic nonsense that goes with a host’s opening ceremony to be undisturbed by other matches.

And Qatar now hold all the aces.

If they have had to toe some sort of line for the last decade, those days are over.

If they have had to play the role of a nation grateful to have been given the honour of hosting a World Cup, that time has gone. Why has it taken this long for Qatar to flex their muscles and decide they want the exposure and the kudos of taking part in the opening match?

Because, now, what they say goes.

So, let’s see what happens to the vague promises of tolerance and a World Cup for everyone.

So, let’s see what happens to the grainy idea that supporters from around the world will be able to get a beer if they want one.

So, let’s see what happens to the notion that this World Cup will not be solely about the VIPS and sportswashing.

And whatever happens in Qatar, does anyone think there will be any sort of legacy?

Nothing will change in Qatar. And now they have their showcase opening match, there will be no stopping them. The host nation taking part in the first match is par for the course. But changing the schedule three months ahead of a tournament is not.

And whatever FIFA says in its statement – and however insignificant you might find this fixture rejigging – this development tells you one thing.

Qatar are now calling the shots.

Forget any guff about promoting the game in new territories, forget any legacy stuff, forget any talk about the beautiful game in a new environment.

There will probably be some decent football played, there will probably be some drama.

But this year’s World Cup has only ever been about one thing – and that is putting Qatar on the global stage.

And if you are comfortable with that, enjoy.