Qatar 2022 set for winter?

The 54 member associations of UEFA have voted in favour of staging the 2022 Qatar World Cup during the winter.

Amid concerns about the heat and humidity of a summer tournament, European nations want the event moving after a meeting in Croatia.

FIFA Vice-President Jim Boyce stated: “What has come out of this meeting is that the World Cup cannot be played in Qatar in the summer.

“Everyone was certainly in agreement about that.

The 54 member associations of UEFA have voted in favour of staging the 2022 Qatar World Cup during the winter.

Amid concerns about the heat and humidity of a summer tournament, European nations want the event moving after a meeting in Croatia.

FIFA Vice-President Jim Boyce stated: “What has come out of this meeting is that the World Cup cannot be played in Qatar in the summer.

“Everyone was certainly in agreement about that.

“There are still nine years to go and people feel FIFA should sit down with all the major stakeholders and come up with a solution that would cause the minimum disruption to football.

“There is plenty of time to do that in my opinion – and hopefully football will be the winner.”

Although countries are in favour of the switch, it is as yet unclear whether the tournament would be played at the start or during the last two months of the year.

UEFA are thought to be in favour of a January event given that would not interfere with the Champions League or Europa League calendar.

FIFA’s executive committee will meet next month to discuss their options.