The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is slated to create a great deal of controversy as FIFA President Sepp Blatter asserts that the tournament will not take place in the summer.
Since its announcement in 2010, many wondered whether players and fans would be able to deal with the intense climate conditions of the summer in Qatar. For the last few weeks, FIFA has made it known that the organization plans to shift the schedule of the tournament from summer to winter. FIFA is scheduled to meet in October to get the change approved.
"I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in summer in Qatar," Blatter said, according to ESPN. "What will be following, this would be then decided later...Those that have taken the decision at the time, they knew there is problems with the heat. They knew it, because it was in the [technical] report. It was wrong to say, 'Now we have to play in summer,' because in summer you cannot play there."
Moving the World Cup from the summer to winter months will interrupt league campaigns and the UEFA Champions League. Moreover, wealthy teams will likely be upset by the risk of seeing their top stars injured in the middle of the season.
"What will be the ongoing situation with such a decision, we have to look on the international calendar," Blatter added. "We have to look if and how it is possible, when we don't play in summer, when is the best time to play in winter?"