The group stage of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar reaches its conclusion this week as the final 16 games prepare to take centre stage to determine who will advance to the last 16.
However, that signals the end of being able to watch four games back-to-back each day, with the 10am and 1pm kick-offs no longer part of the tournament, despite there still being four games a day for the final round of group stage fixtures this week.
With that meaning England’s final Group B fixture with Wales will clash with Iran vs USA, Mirror Football tells you all you need to know about why that is and why the World Cup kick-off times have changed.
What are the World Cup kick-off times?
For the first two rounds of group stage fixtures at the 2022 World Cup, there were four games a day which kicked-off at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm (GMT).
However, for the final round of group stage fixtures, as well as the last 16 and quarter-final ties, games will now only kick-off at 3pm and 7pm (GMT).
Why have the kick-off times changed?
The final round of group stage fixtures have been played simultaneously since the 1986 World Cup as a result of the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’ which was played between West Germany and Austria in 1982.
It means no side can gain an unfair advantage by entering their final game knowing what result they need to progress and playing the game accordingly.
What do you make of the final round of group games having the same kick-off times? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
What is the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’?
After the first two rounds of games in Group 2 of the 1982 World Cup, Austria led the way with four points, while West Germany and Algeria sat behind them in second and third-place with one point each.
Algeria defeated Chile 3-2 in their final game to move into second place behind Austria, with a goal difference of zero. However, because they played their final group game a day before Austria and West Germany’s clash, it allowed the two European teams to figure out what they needed to ensure they both progressed.
If West Germany won by four or more goals, they would progress alongside Algeria. As it happened, West Germany secured a drab 1-0 victory to ensure both themselves and Austria still progressed.
What happened next?
West Germany and Austria were accused of fixing the result in order for both of them to still qualify, forcing FIFA into revising the structure of group games for future tournaments and ensuring the final two games in each group would be played simultaneously.
Why are games at 3pm and 7pm in Qatar?
With regards to the specific kick-off times themselves, the two chosen times of 3pm and 7pm ensure that the temperature in Qatar is as cool as it can possibly be, due to the severe heat in the middle east.
The later kick-off times also ensure more people are able to watch fixtures at this time of the day, enabling broadcasters to gain higher viewing figures.
