The World Cup moves a step closer on Friday when the draw for the group stage is made.
England have known for some time they will be among the 32 teams while the full line-up is now close to completion following this week’s play-off games. There is one more European spot up for grabs, with a date yet to be confirmed for Scotland’s postponed play-off semi-final against Ukraine. The winners of that tie will face Wales.
It will be a World Cup with a difference for several reasons. First, it will take place in the winter, with the tournament opener on Monday, November 21 and the final just a week before Christmas. It will also be held in the Middle East for the first time, with Qatar controversially being awarded the tournament back in 2010.
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The winter World Cup will therefore have an impact on the 2022/23 season for Nottingham Forest, whether they are in the Championship or Premier League next season. Here are the key dates you need to know in both situations.
Championship
The Championship will begin a week earlier than usual over the weekend of July 30. The final round of fixtures will take place on May 6, 2023. The league will pause after the weekend of November 12, giving players involved in the tournament little time to prepare for their opening group games.
The second tier will resume on December 10, when the World Cup will be at the quarter-final stage. League One and League Two will play on through the World Cup. The dates will be a little different in the Premier League though.
Premier League
The Premier League will also begin a week earlier than usual, but a week after the Championship. The first games being played over the weekend of Saturday, August 6. The final round of fixtures will take place on May 28, 2023, three weeks after the Championship finishes.
The top-flight will pause after the weekend of November 12. The Premier League will resume on Boxing Day, just eight days after the final.
Key dates
April 1: World Cup draw
July 30: Championship starts
August 6: Premier League season starts
November 12/13: Final round of Championship games before World Cup
November 21: World Cup starts
December 3/6: Round of 16
December 9/10: Quarter-finals
December 10: Championship resumes
December 13/14: Semi-finals
December 18: World Cup final
December 26: Premier League resumes
May 6: Final day of regular Championship season
May 28: Final day of Premier League season
