FIFA announced on Friday that the 2022 World Cup, to be held in Qatar, will start on November 21 with the final to be played on December 18 - cutting four days off the length of the competition.

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World soccer`s governing body had previously announced the date of the final but the start date of November 21 means the tournament will be just 28 days in duration -- the shortest since the competition switched to a 32-team tournament in 1998.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was held over 32 days while the shortest 32-team tournament had been 31 days.

The Qatar tournament will mark the first time that the event is held during Europe`s winter months - previously the competition had been held in June and July.