FIFA confirms 2022 WC will not be held in summer
10 Jan 2014 5:13 AM IST
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.
‘The dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July,’ Valcke, the second most powerful man in international football’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.’ However, FIFA itself reacted to Valcke’s comments by saying they were his personal views and that no formal decision to move the date of the tournament would be taken before this year’s World Cup finals in Brazil starting in June.
‘Secretary General Jerome Valcke explained today in the Radio France interview - as he had already mentioned previously - that in his view the 2022 FIFA World Cup must take place in winter and the best possible time frame would be 15 November to 15 January,’ said FIFA. ‘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 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil as agreed by the FIFA executive committee.’ 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.
World Cup organising committee officials in Qatar have insisted they were prepared for all eventualities concerning the 2022 showpiece. ‘From the beginning, we’ve always said we can stage the World Cup in summer,’ said Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General.
‘The cooling system for the stadia will be very much part of our legacy. But we are happy for it to be held in winter time.’
‘The dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July,’ Valcke, the second most powerful man in international football’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.’ However, FIFA itself reacted to Valcke’s comments by saying they were his personal views and that no formal decision to move the date of the tournament would be taken before this year’s World Cup finals in Brazil starting in June.
‘Secretary General Jerome Valcke explained today in the Radio France interview - as he had already mentioned previously - that in his view the 2022 FIFA World Cup must take place in winter and the best possible time frame would be 15 November to 15 January,’ said FIFA. ‘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 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil as agreed by the FIFA executive committee.’ 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.
World Cup organising committee officials in Qatar have insisted they were prepared for all eventualities concerning the 2022 showpiece. ‘From the beginning, we’ve always said we can stage the World Cup in summer,’ said Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General.
‘The cooling system for the stadia will be very much part of our legacy. But we are happy for it to be held in winter time.’
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