Qatar set for November-December World Cup after FIFA task force recommendation

A FIFA task force has recommended that the 2022 Qatar World Cup be held in November and December.

The 2022 Qatar World Cup is set to be held in November and December following a recommendation from a FIFA task force.

Fears had been raised over the risks of playing the tournament in the country’s summer months, when temperatures reach around 40 degrees centigrade.

But, following a six-month consultation process, the last two months of the year have been put forward as the proposed dates.

Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the head of the task force, said: “We are very pleased that, after careful consideration of the various opinions and detailed discussions with all stakeholders, we have identified what we believe to be the best solution for the 2018-2024 international match calendar and football in general. 

“It was a challenging task and I want to thank all members of the football community for their productive input and constructiveness in helping to find a solution that we believe can work for everyone.”

The decision is expected to be confirmed at the next meeting of the FIFA executive committee, which will take place in Zurich on March 19 and 20.

Various suggestions had been made regarding a rearranged date for the competition, which was awarded to the Arab nation in 2010.

However, the staging of other events throughout the sporting calendar meant potential clashes, with the 2022 Winter Olympics due to be staged in February.

With many in Qatar observing the tenets of Islam, Ramadan – which begins on April 2 in the year of the World Cup – was considered an inappropriate time to stage the event.

Furthermore, FIFA said that, for legal reasons, the tournament must be held wholly in 2022.

Qatar was cleared in November of any wrongdoing in relation to the bidding process for the World Cup.

An investigation led by former United States attorney Michael Garcia confirmed there would be no action taken against the 2022 hosts.