Sunderland's return to Championship action against Millwall could be given a new kick-off time as a result of the World Cup.
The Championship is currently on a four-week break because of the international tournament that gets under way in Qatar on Sunday. However, Sunderland will return a week earlier to face Millwall at the Stadium of Light, a rearranged fixture that was originally scheduled for Saturday, 10 September, but was postponed following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Black Cats will host the Lions on Saturday, December 3, for what is currently scheduled to be a 12.30pm kick-off. However, if England finish runners-up in Group B, they'll be set to face the winners of Group A on the same day, with kick-off at 3pm - which should still leave enough time to watch the Three Lions.
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With that in mind, the EFL have granted special permission for clubs to move their kick-off times to earlier that day should they wish, and only, of course, if both clubs agree to it. The EFL prefer that any match rescheduling takes place as soon as possible, and while there is no strict deadline for changes, they usually work on a preference of at least five days' notice, with changes potentially impacting supporters for travel arrangements.
So far in the Championship, only Rotherham and Bristol City have agreed to the move, with their previously scheduled 3 pm clash now kicking off at 12.30 pm. Blackburn and Preston meet at Ewood Park at 12 pm that day, though that move was due to Sky Sports selecting it for live broadcasting coverage.
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