FIFA has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar will be held in the winter, with the final scheduled for December 18.
Concerns
were raised about the prospect of a summer tournament when the Gulf
nation was initially awarded the hosting rights, with temperatures
regularly exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in July and August.
FIFA
agreed provisional dates for a winter tournament back in March despite
some concerns over the impact of the domestic calendar in European
football, especially the Premier League, which does not operate a
mid-season break.
And the Executive Committee ratified the
decision on Friday, meaning the finals will begin on November 21 and
will conclude on December 18, making it a shorter tournament than the
usual 32-day programme.
FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said earlier
this year: "I think it could be a tremendous World Cup because I think
players will be fresher than they have ever been.
"It's going to
be 28 days, it's not a lifetime. It means [domestic leagues] starting
three weeks earlier and finishing three weeks later for one year."
FIFA
confirmed a number of other decisions by the Committee, including "a
vow to improve governance" and an increased support for women in
football.
It was also stated that clubs will not be placed under
pressure to release players for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
next year.
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