2022 Soccer World Cup

Fifa’s executive committee is expected to ratify to recommendation to host the 2022 World Cup in November and December next month. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

When is the 2022 Soccer World Cup? It’s NOT when you think!

But before you start booking your flights to the Middle East thinking the tournament will take place in its ‘usual’ June-July time slot – think again!

2022 Soccer World Cup

Fifa’s executive committee is expected to ratify to recommendation to host the 2022 World Cup in November and December next month. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Bafana Bafana are in the midst of their qualifiers for the 2022 Soccer World Cup in Qatar.

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But before you start booking your flights to the Middle East thinking the tournament will take place in its ‘usual’ June-July time slot – think again!

Due to the extreme heat in Qatar and the unbearable playing conditions at that time of year, FIFA has moved the spectacle to 21 November to 18 December.

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That means the tournament will not take place for another 14 months.

Instead of the tournament finding a home in the traditional off-season, leagues around the world will have to adapt their fixtures to cater for a month-long break prior to Christmas.

Bafana Bafana have already played two of their six Group G qualifiers – against Zimbabwe (A) and Ghana (H).

They will next be in action away to Ethiopia on 6 October before the return clash on home soil on 10 October.

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Hugo Broos’ men will wrap up their qualifiers at home against Zimbabwe (11-13 November) and away to Ghana (14-16 November).

The 10 group winners will then be drawn into five home-and-away ties. The winners of those five matches will be the five countries to represent Africa at the 2022 World Cup.

The dates for those ties have at the time of publishing not been confirmed.

Good luck, Bafana Bafana!

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