Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup - which is scheduled to take place in Qatar - will not be held during the summer.
Long-standing fears over soaring temperatures in Qatar had prompted debate over the ideal date for the tournament and Valcke has now made it clear that the 2022 World Cup will not be held in its traditional mid-year slot.
“The dates for the World Cup in Qatar will not be June-July,” he 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.” (Goal)
