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Fifa President Sepp Blatter Insists There Are No Plans To Reschedule 2022 World Cup To The Winter Despite Qatari Heat
The governor of world football dismisses ideas of changing the middle-eastern tournament, and insists that no requests have been made to do so from the host nation
25-Nov-2011 8:00:00 AM
By Nathan Lowe
Fifa President Sepp Blatter has reaffirmed that the 2022 World Cup will still be held in the summer months, despite concerns over Qatar's climate.
Questions had been asked of the suitability of the location, with talk of moving the tournament to the winter, but the Swiss chief has admitted that despite some internal dialogue, the host nation have not requested that the competition be rescheduled.
"The decision that has been taken is very clear," Blatter told Fox Soccer. "According to the list of requirements the World Cup has to be played in June and July. It's also according to the international calendar.
"So for the time being there has been no movement," he continued. "There's been some, let's say, information from the right, from the left, up, and down, but Fifa has never received any demand or request from Qatar to change the dates for this World Cup."
Currently Qatar plans to build air-conditioned stadiums for the event as temperatures can eclipse 104 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months.
Vocal proponents of a shift to a winter schedule include Uefa president Michel Platini, former German great Franz Beckenbauer, and current England manager Fabio Capello.
Questions had been asked of the suitability of the location, with talk of moving the tournament to the winter, but the Swiss chief has admitted that despite some internal dialogue, the host nation have not requested that the competition be rescheduled.
"The decision that has been taken is very clear," Blatter told Fox Soccer. "According to the list of requirements the World Cup has to be played in June and July. It's also according to the international calendar.
"So for the time being there has been no movement," he continued. "There's been some, let's say, information from the right, from the left, up, and down, but Fifa has never received any demand or request from Qatar to change the dates for this World Cup."
Currently Qatar plans to build air-conditioned stadiums for the event as temperatures can eclipse 104 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months.
Vocal proponents of a shift to a winter schedule include Uefa president Michel Platini, former German great Franz Beckenbauer, and current England manager Fabio Capello.
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