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World Cup schedule reveals clashes with reality TV and soaps

Katie Archer
·Contributor
·2-min read
SAN MARINO STADIUM, SERRAVALLE, SAN MARINO - 2021/11/15: Harry Kane of England looks on during the 2022 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier football match between San Marino and England. England won 10-0 over San Marino. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Harry Kane will be travelling to Qatar with the England team for the World Cup. (Getty Images)

Football is set to play havoc with TV schedules again this year when the World Cup clashes with reality TV and soaps on both BBC and ITV.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will air on BBC and ITV from 21 November and the schedule for the group stage matches has been announced.

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It shows that there will be a clash between Spain vs Germany, which the BBC will air from 7pm on Sunday 27 November, and their usual slot for the Strictly Come Dancing results show.

Over on ITV, there look set to be various clashes between World Cup coverage and the usual weeks that I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! airs from mid-November to early December - including the England vs USA match at 7pm on 25 November.

<em>Strictly Come Dancing</em> could clash with the World Cup coverage. (BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing could clash with the World Cup coverage. (BBC)

This year, I'm A Celebrity is due to return to its usual production base in Australia, although exact air dates have not been announced.

Evening matches on both channels will also clash with soaps schedules, with EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street all set to be affected by coverage.

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Last summer's coverage of the Euros also caused a shake-up to soap schedules and led to the soaps being released in week-long box sets on both channels' streaming services.

A generic photo of the Rovers Return, the pub in <i>Coronation Street</i>. (ITV)
Coronation Street is looking at another clash with the football. (ITV)

Although broadcast information for the semi-finals and World Cup final has not been announced yet, the third place play-off match is due to take place on Saturday, 17 December, which would usually be the date of the Strictly final, and the World Cup final will be played the day after on Sunday, 18 December.

The World Cup has been moved to later in the year this time to take account of the very high temperatures in Qatar during the summer.

Competition usually takes place in June and July, with the previous 2018 event having been hosted by Russia and the 2014 World Cup was in Brazil.

Watch: Ant and Dec hope I'm A Celeb returns to Australia in 2022