DOHA: A FIFA World Cup task force on Tuesday recommended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar be shortened and held in November-December to avoid the scorching summer temperatures.
“There is one solution, November-December,” said FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke after a meeting of the task force in Doha.
FIFA’s executive committee will make a final decision at a meeting in March. But a FIFA statement said, “The proposed event dates have the full support of all six confederations.”
The international governing body said the task force had also recommended a shorter competition. But it did not say by how much the tournament would be shrunk.
“The outcome of the discussions is also a proposed shortening of the competition’s schedule, with the exact dates to be defined in line with the match schedule and number of venues to be used for the 22nd edition of football’s flagship event,” further read the statement.
A shift to November-December faces resistance from European clubs who fear major disruption to the Champions League and championships in England, Germany and Spain.
Traditionally the World Cup is played in June and July and if the competition is shifted to November and December, it is likely the European clubs will seek compensation.
However, European football’s governing body, UEFA, has already accepted a switch to winter.
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