FIFA Edge Closer to Agreement with Premier League Over Qatar 2022

FIFA’s secretary general Jerome Valcke has said that the governing body is close to agreeing terms with the English premier League for the switch in schedule of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

The agreement would see the World Cup be played in November and December, order as temperatures in the Gulf state are too high in the traditional summer time, as well as the April/May suggestion that has also been made.

A consultation process was launched last month by FIFA to determine the best time of year for the tournament to be played.

Issues that have arisen include conflicts with domestic leagues and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, which would be competed in February.

Valcke has kicked off the consultation period by meeting Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier League and Alex Horne, the FA’s general secretary.

Valcke told The Telegraph: “I can tell you that, with the Premier League, we are close to an understanding. That was part of the discussion; that we have to protect your specific period, which is Boxing Day and these very specific 10 days, which are part of the history of English football.

“There are a number of things still to work on but the final goal is to try to have either in December 2014 or, at the latest, in March 2015, a final decision. Let’s not lose time on this. April-May is not an option because of the temperature.”