Since Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup, many have feared the state of playing conditions for the players who would feature in the tournament. As Qatar's summer climate will see temperatures rising to 50C, it was initially suggested the World Cup could be moved to the winter months to protect the players, and now UEFA's 54 member associations have given their backing to send the proposals through. The decision to choose Qatar has been a controversial one. FIFA president Sepp Blatter previously admitted it may have been a mistake, while Australia's Football Chief Frank Lowy said his country's Football Federation will seek compensation if the World Cup is indeed moved to the winter - after Australia lost out to Qatar in the bidding. Britain's FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said the recent meeting between the members has led them in agreement that the 2022 World Cup cannot be played in the summer, so the decision now is between three months in which to hold the tournament - January, November, or December in 2022. FIFA's own medical chief Michel D'Hooghe revealed the players and supporters weren't endangering their health should they be exposed to the Qatar conditions, but it's confirmed the World Cup will not go ahead in the summer months regardless. The Qatar World Cup in 2022 will be a winter tournament, and the relevant authorities will now decide on which month to stage it - with further talks said to be undergoing in the coming weeks. source -
bbc football