‘Qatar World Cup in Nov-Dec done deal’

FIFA task force to make its recommendations next week, says report

NEW YORK: Staging the 2022 Qatar World Cup in November and December to avoid blazing summer heat is "a done deal," Sports Illustrated reported on its website.

Citing multiple sources, the magazine's report said the decision has been made, saying a FIFA task force will make the November-December timing recommendation next week at a meeting in Doha and FIFA's executive committee will finalise the plan when it meets next month in Zurich.

Just three weeks ago, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke told France-Info radio the World Cup in Qatar should be staged in winter but clashing with the 2022 Winter Olympics in February was also a concern.

The report said the current plan was to impact only one European club season, with clubs hoping to trim some international match dates to achieve, but there was no firm plan regarding the FIFA Confederations Cup, typically staged the year before the World Cup in the host nation as a test run for the global football showdown.

In December, the European Clubs Association and European Professional Football Leagues indicated a strong preference for playing the 2022 World Cup from May to June.

 

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