By Andrew Warshaw
March 12 – The exact dates for the first ever winter World Cup in November and December 2022 leads a packed agenda for next week’s FIFA executive committee meeting.
Four and a quarter years after Qatar won the right to host the tournament, fans across the globe will at last discover when it will take place.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has made assurances that the final will be no later than December 18 but clubs and leagues, especially those in Europe anxious not to have their calendar squeezed too much, will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the exco meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
Although a FIFA-appointed task force has recommended November-December to avoid the searing Gulf summer heat, the clubs and leagues fear having to shut down for several weeks in the middle of their customary season. The clubs are demanding greater compensation and although FIFA initially ruled this out, recent reports suggest a compromise may have been reached.
Interestingly, “participation of clubs in the benefits of the FIFA World Cup” is another item on the agenda. FIFA has already suggested a 28-day tournament instead of the usual 32 to reduce the time clubs must hand over players for international duty.
A timeline for candidates to stage the 2026 World Cup is also up for discussion. The CONCACAF confederation believes it will be their turn and Canada and the United States could be among the bidders. For the first time, the 2026 hosts will be selected by the full congress of FIFA member federations rather than the exco as part of the reform process put in place following the fallout from the joint ballot that sent 2018 to Russia and 2022 to Qatar.
Qatar’s promise to improve the treatment of migrant construction workers is also due to be discussed as is the ongoing impasse between Palestine and Israel. Among other items, FIFA are expected to decide between France and South Korea as hosts for the 2019 Women’s World Cup .
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