Sunday Mirror

It’s National Sickie Day!

- BY JOHN CROSS in Doha

ENGLAND fans will be ready for a “National Sickie Day” to watch the World Cup kick off.

Organisers have now confirmed the match schedule, with England’s first game against Iran due to kick off at 1pm UK time on Monday, November 21.

It will also be played in the Khalifa Internatio­nal Stadium, which holds 40,000 and is where the final is taking place on Sunday, December 18.

That means England will play at 4pm local time, avoiding the hottest

GROUP B England, Iran USA plus Scotland, Wales or Ukraine

temperatur­es. They will be the second game of the day as Senegal against Holland kicks off the tournament at 10am UK.

Hosts Qatar will face Ecuador at 7pm also on the Monday, but England’s fixture – falling at lunchtime at the start of the working week – might tempt lots of TV fans to stay at home and watch.

England play USA on November 25 at 7pm UK time with the Ukraine/ Scotland/Wales game is at 7pm on November 29.

 ?? ??
 ?? ?? OPENING-DAY CLASH England boss Southgate
OPENING-DAY CLASH England boss Southgate

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom