FIFA has launched a consultation process to decide whether to stage the 2022 World Cup in Qatar outside the traditional June-July slot and will not make a decision until next year, president Sepp Blatter said on Friday. ‘The executive committee decided to launch a consultation process among main stakeholders for Qatar 2022 dates,’ Blatter said on Twitter. ‘No decision will be taken before 2014 WC (World Cup)’.
Qatar was awarded the right to host the competition in December 2010 in a decision based on its plans to stage the event in June-July using air-conditioned stadiums to combat the fierce heat. Despite Qatar’s assurances that the plan is viable, there has been widespread concern over the health of the players and visiting fans in the searing conditions of the desert summer.
Blatter said in July that he would propose a move to a cooler time of year and that he expected the executive committee to agree with him. European soccer’s governing body UEFA agreed last month that the World Cup should be moved, with all 54 member associations backing the proposal. However, there have been demands for greater consultation from the ECA.