Fifa disown official’s statements on timing of 2022 World Cup in Qatar

The Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke stated definitively on Wednesday that the 2022 World Cup would not be played in the summer, more likely 'between November 15 and January 15 the latest'.

Jerome Valcke said on Wednesday the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would be held in the winter months. Alessandro Della Bella / EPA
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Fifa, football’s world governing body, has stepped in to absolve itself of any stir caused by general secretary Jerome Valcke, who said the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will not be held in June and July but would best be held in the winter time.

“The dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July,” Valcke, the second most powerful man in international footbal’s governing body, told Radio France.

“To be honest, I think it will be held between November 15 and January 15 at the latest.

“If you play between November 15 and the end of December that’s the time when the weather conditions are best, when you can play in temperatures equivalent to a warm spring season in Europe, averaging 25 degrees.

“That would be perfect for playing football.”

It led to a shocked response from Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce, who said that only the world governing body’s executive committee could decide when the World Cup would be played.

In a subsequent statement Fifa said Valcke was giving “his view”, and added: “The precise event date is still subject to an ongoing consultation process which involves all main event stakeholders, including both the international football community (Fifa, confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs, players) as well as commercial partners.

“As the event will not be played until eight years’ time the consultation process will not be rushed and will be given the necessary time to consider all of the elements relevant for a decision.

“Consequently, no decision will be taken before the upcoming World Cup Brazil as agreed by the Fifa Executive Committee.”

The scheduling of the tournament has been hotly debated ever since Fifa controversially awarded it to Qatar in December 2010, especially over fears that the summer heat in the Gulf emirate would be dangerous for players and fans alike.

Valcke did not say whether he favoured a World Cup in the winter of 2021/22 or 2022/23, but the deciding factor could be the timing of the Winter Olympics in early 2022.

The awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been beset by criticism, especially over the searing heat that bakes the Gulf emirate in the summer when the tournament is traditionally held.

Calls had grown increasingly strident to switch it to the winter time to accomodate players and supporters.

But this ran into opposition from European clubs, who would lose their top players for several weeks in the middle of the season and from the International Olympic Committee fearful of any competition with the 2022 Winter Olympics.

World Cup organising committee officials in Qatar have insisted they were prepared for all eventualities concerning the 2022 showpiece.

In October Fifa said they would listen to the views of all concerned parties – players, clubs, leagues, federations and sponsors – with a view to taking a final decision on dates in December of this year.

It remains to be seen what the reaction to a possible winter World Cup will be from top European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich who risk having to do without their top players at a key period for domestic leagues and the Champions League.

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