By Andrew Warshaw
December 4 – The 2022 World Cup in Qatar should take place in January or February to avoid the scorching temperatures of the summer, according to FIFA Executive Committee member and German legend Franz Beckenbauer (pictured).
Beckenbauer, who won the 1974 World Cup as West Germany captain and also coached his nation to the 1990 title, said hosting the tournament during the winter would be the best alternative.
Qatar, which beat Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States to the 2022 tournament, say they will deploy innovative cooling techniques to keep the temperature on the pitch to 27 degrees Celsius.
But outside, it could still be a scorching 50 degrees.
“One should think about a different solution,” Beckenbauer told the Bild newspaper.
“Plans for the biggest leagues would have to change for 2022 but that would not be a major undertaking.
“It would be an alternative to using climate control at great expense for stadiums and fanzones.”
Qatar, which has never qualified for the World Cup finals, will be the smallest nation – and the first from the Middle East – ever to host the World Cup.
Meanwhile, controversial CONCACAF chief Jack Warner explained why he voted for Russia, having apparently pledged his support to England for the 2018 World Cup.
Warner, who wielded three CONCACAF votes, said he backed both Russia and Qatar as an exercise in fair play and equality.
“As President of CONCACAF I am disappointed over the fact the United States did not win,” Warner said back in his native Trinidad.
“But, like football, there can only be one winner.
“In the final analysis, I am certain that a CONCACAF nation will host the World Cup in 2026.”
“By taking our flagship tournament to new territories we are signalling to the world that we live by our principle of fair play.
“This tournament will now be held on virgin territories.
“For too long we have seen the Middle East though our tainted perceptions.”
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