UEFA chief urges Gulf World Cup in 2022

By Andy Sambidge
  • Sunday, 30 December 2012 9:56 AM
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UEFA president Michel Platini

UEFA president Michel Platini

UEFA president Michel Platini has renewed his call for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be switched to the winter and shared with neighbouring countries.

A winter tournament would be "good for everyone", the head of European football's governing body told the Dubai International Sports Conference, AFP reported.

"It would be a good thing" if the tournament were shared with neighbouring Gulf states, Platini added.

Last month, Qatar 2022 chief Hassan Al Thawadi was quoted as saying a decision on whether Qatar will host a summer of winter World Cup tournament should be made in the next two years.

He said he was happy to accommodate either date for the tournament but was continuing to plan for a summer event.

The UEFA chief has previously called for the tournament to be played between November and December 2022, to avoid a clash with the January 2022 Winter Olympics.

Platini first suggested the winter switch to avoid Qatar's searing summer temperatures after a UEFA executive committee meeting in Limassol, Cyprus in September 2011.

In December, former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, whose playing career ended in Dubai, said it would not be possible to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the summer.

Construction of Qatar's first air-conditioned stadium for the 2022 World Cup tournament will start next year.

The first stadium will be developed in conjunction with Qatar Foundation at Education City. Five other stadiums are currently in the process of planning or tender.

In December 2010, Qatar saw off competition from the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan to win the right to stage the 2022 World Cup.

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Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: Magpie1961 Monday, 31 December 2012 12:20 PM[UAE] - UAE

Should be spread around the region ? - cannot wait to see how Budwieser get on in Riyhad.....

Reply to this comment.

Posted by: Red Snappa Sunday, 30 December 2012 4:05 PM[UAE] - Ireland

While winter is undoubtedly the ONLY season in the Gulf when you can logically play and watch football, unless it is held indoors like ice hockey.

Even with airconditioned stadia, with every spectator contributing half a KW of body heat, it will be dangerous for the weaker constitutioned watcher. Should we really have to take a medical before deciding whether we can withstand a World Cup?? Realistically the roof will have to be closed.

Spreading the tournament across the Gulf States would just make it more complicated still and costly for spectators, then landed with inter-gulf air fares. Also in unfair as the remainder of the GCC have not invested in the original bid or infrastructure.

However, the football clubs will go ballistic, if they have to release their players at what is the midpoint of the traditional season in the northern hemisphere at least, and Michel Platini can go whistle as far as they are concerned. I can tell you now, all European Clubs would refuse.

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Posted by: Grant Holt Sunday, 30 December 2012 4:05 PM[UAE] - UAE

I thought the decision to host in the summer was made when the bid was submitted, all as part of the bidding criteria!

So your going to stop all the European leagues for 6 - 8 weeks in mid season? Thats 4 weeks WC competion, plus the preparation and rest etc. before some idiot says its only a month long comp!

This is getting stupid now.

Posted by: procan Sunday, 30 December 2012 9:01 PM[UAE] - canada

And of course the emerging Football countries, viewer ship in North America . NHL NBA NFL WJH will impact a large viewing audience here and at the very least be a revenue hit. EU Football in still trying to grow there sport here this would not help. Qatar said they would play in the summer I believe they will find a way even if it is Night games eh!

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Posted by: MikeDeLonghi Sunday, 30 December 2012 11:50 AM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

This makes all the sense in the world, just no way Summer WC in Qatar will work.

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