FIFA said Friday the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be played over 28 days, starting Nov. 21.

    FIFA had decided in March to switch the 2022 tournament from June-July to avoid Qatar’s summer heat. A 28-day World Cup is four fewer than usual and is designed to cause less disruption to clubs and leagues, which must shut down for several peak midseason weeks.

    FIFA had delayed choosing a kickoff date in Qatar while it held talks on the 2019-2024 schedule of national team fixtures. The international calendar mandates when clubs must release players for national-team duty.

    No national team match dates — either qualifiers for continental championships or friendlies — have been set for October 2022.(SD-Agencies)