News Digest

2022 World Cup final ‘no later than’ December 18, says FIFA chief Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter (pictured) insists the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar will be played no later than 18 December. Blatter’s suggestion comes after a FIFA task force recommended the tournament be played in November and December to avoid Qatar’s summer heat. The task force also suggested the event be shortened from the current 32 days. European football leagues and clubs had called for the event to be staged in May and June to reduce the impact on their playing schedules. But that suggestion has been ruled out due to the extreme summer weather in Qatar.

The 23rd, definitely not (for the final). We have to stop at the 18th.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter

The Premier League, which always plays a full set of games on December 26, wants the World Cup to remain in its traditional June-July slot. Chief executive Richard Scudamore said earlier this week that a November-December tournament “disproportionately impacts the sporting integrity of our competitions.” FIFA has the backing of UEFA and other continental federations for the switch in dates despite what the Premier League wants. FIFA has also announced that clubs will not receive any compensation if the World Cup goes ahead during winter. The organisation’s secretary general Jerome Valcke said: “There will be no compensation. I mean, they have seven years to reorganise football around the world for this World Cup.

They are not so very happy and it’s so good now to make a little bit of noise about FIFA and about the World Cup in Qatar.

Sepp Blatter