FIFA Claim ‘No Concrete Plans’ for Winter 2022 WC

World soccer’s governing body FIFA have attempted to cool talk of an early decision to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter months.

President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini are both keen supporters of the rescheduling proposal but the idea has not gone unopposed.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed bin Hammam has criticised ‘unnecessary’ talks to alter the plans of the bid at such an early stage and feels that Qatar can still host the event in the usual summer slot. US FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer is also against the plans.

In an emailed statement released on 20 January, FIFA revealed there were “no concrete plans” to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from the summer to winter. This comes despite Blatter stating that a move to January was ‘likely’ earlier in the month.

Any potential move “would have to be initiated by the football association of Qatar and would have to be presented to the FIFA Executive Committee,” the governing body said.