No Qatar 2022 World Cup compensation for European clubs

There will be no compensation for European clubs over the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, FIFA has confirmed. UEFA has also confirmed that it has suggested the final should be played on December 23 - the preferred date of most of the confederations according to FIFA - with the tournament getting under way on 26 November. But no final decision has been made on the dates. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Clubs’ Association, said the leading European clubs would demand compensation from FIFA if the 2022 World Cup was played in November and December, as has been recommended by the FIFA task force. The former Germany international claimed such a move would cause “great damage” to domestic football due to the rescheduling of match calendars.

There will be no compensation. There are seven years to reorganise. We are in agreement with the clubs.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke called on European clubs to accept the scheduling switch - which is expected to be confirmed at FIFA’s executive committee meeting in Zurich on 19/20 March - even though “it’s not perfect”. The final looks likely to take place on 18 December as it is Qatar’s national day and also falls on a Sunday. The other option of 23 December is preferred by the confederations despite opposition from the Premier League and Football Association due to the disruption it would cause to the festive programme in England.

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