Doha: A FIFA World Cup taskforce yesterday called for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be shortened and held in November-December.
A tournament from the end of November to the end of December was “the most viable period” for the World Cup, the taskforce decided, according to a FIFA statement.
A source later said that the dates proposed would see the tournament begin on November 26 with the final held on December 23.
“The proposed event dates have the full support of all six confederations,” said a FIFA statement.
A final decision will be made by the FIFA executive committee at their meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, on March 19-20 and looks likely to be approved. If the move goes ahead, it will be the first time the World Cup has been played in these months and away from its traditional northern hemisphere summer format.
“There is one solution, November-December,” said FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke after a meeting of the taskforce in Doha. “It is clear there are pros and cons for all but there is one solution coming out from this discussion, which is November-December 2022,” said Valcke.
AFC head and taskforce chairman, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, said there was also a recommendation for a shorter competition.
The move to shift the tournament was backed by the Qataris. “We have always committed ourselves to what the football community decides,” said the country’s World Cup chief, Hassan Al Thawadi. “We are onboard whatever the executive committee decides.”
Officials from football’s global governing body, top leagues and players’ representatives attended the crucial meeting in Doha.
AFP
