FIFA indecisive over 2022 Qatar World Cup

FIFA seems to be indecisive over holding of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar during summers.

In fact, FIFA quickly moved to play down claims from its own general secretary that the Qatar 2022 World Cup will not take place in the summer.

The sport's governing body stressed no final decision will be taken until after the 2014 World Cup and only after lengthy consultation, reports BBC.

The statement came after Jerome Valcke told Radio France: "The dates for the World Cup will not be June-July." A FIFA spokesperson said the general secretary had only been expressing "his view".

It may be added that FIFA president Sepp Blatter had already said the tournament would take place in November or December, with organisers in Qatar still hopeful of hosting it in June and July.

The reason for not holding the World Cup in summers is the extremely hot summers of the Gulf State - but if the World Cup does go ahead at the end of 2022, it could pose problems for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled for January 2023.

Read more about it at: BBC Sport/Football
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World Cup 2022 likely in Qatar Winters

A 54 member UEFA sitting has agreed in principal that World Cup 2022 can be held in Qatar Winters.

Qatar, where summer temepratures soar to 50C, the alternative can wina World Cup venue for the Gulf State in winters instead.

"The World Cup cannot be played in Qatar in the summer," said FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce. "Everyone was certainly in agreement about that."

Foregoing in view, Boyce, a former president of the Irish Football Association, added that the debate was now whether the tournament would be played in January of 2022 or in November and December of that year.

However, UEFA favours January so that it does not impact on the Champions League, but British associations want to ensure their domestic festive fixtures are protected.

It may be added that FIFA's medical chief, Michel D'Hooghe, had already advised that the risks posed to supporters by extreme heat were too great, while FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted the governing body may have made a "mistake" in awarding the competition to Qatar.

Read more about it at: BBC Cport/Football
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