Jérôme Valcke, the secretary-general of FIFA, has made a significant announcement, suggesting a major shift in the schedule for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In an interview aired on France Info radio, the French leader declared that the tournament would not take place “in June-July” as traditionally held but would likely occur “between November 15 and January 15 at the latest.” This statement follows FIFA’s consultation in October regarding the dates of the 2022 World Cup, considering the extreme summer temperatures (up to 50°C) in Qatar.
If the tournament indeed takes place during the mentioned period, it would bring about a substantial disruption to the usual football competition calendar. The final decision on the dates is expected to be announced in December 2014 during a FIFA executive committee meeting. This move reflects FIFA’s acknowledgment of the challenges posed by the extreme heat in Qatar during the traditional summer months.
