FIFA Clarify Qatar’s World Cup Position

March 21, 2013

FIFA has clarified Qatar’s position as hosts of the 2022 World Cup after concerns were raised about when the tournament should be played.

Because of the extreme heat in June and July, cheap buy suggestions of the Qatar World Cup being played in winter has been suggested.

However, this would affect the majority of European domestic leagues and could even cause a knock-on effect that would impact three domestic seasons rather that one.

And FIFA President, Sepp Blatter said: “”For there to be a change to winter it is necessary that Qatar ask for it. They have not done so yet.

“And they know if they do they risk another of the 2022 candidates bringing a challenge before FIFA, and the vote would have to be repeated.”

Because of these comments and the bid registration tender documents originally stating that the 2022 World Cup would take place in ‘June and/or July 2022,’ the possibility of legal action has arisen.

A FIFA statement read: “FIFA would like to remind as communicated previously that in fact the bidding agreement clearly stipulates that the final decision on the format and dates for both competitions [FIFA Confederations Cup 2021 and FIFA World Cup 2022] is vested with the FIFA Organising Committee which may hear recommendations from the LOC [Local Organising Committee].

“Therefore, nothing has changed to what we have said previously. As it stands today, the 2022 FIFA World Cup is planned to be staged in Qatar in June/July 2022.

“Any potential change would have to be first requested by the competition organisers, ie. Qatar, and then presented to the FIFA Executive Committee for analysis.’