World Cup winner wants Qatar 2022 switched to winter

By David Gold

December 26 – Italy’s 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro says that the 2022 World Cup, being held by Qatar, should be held in the winter because of the intense heat.

Cannavaro’s playing career ended this year after he played for Al-Ahli Dubai, so he is aware of how hot the conditions are for players to play in during the summer months.

The Italian said: “They have enormous economic resources to be able to do anything, but between June and September it is really hot, so FIFA will surely consider other dates.”

His call echoes that of UEFA President Michel Platini, who earlier this month re-iterated his desire to see the competition staged in winter, suggesting he would move domestic European competitions to accommodate such a switch.

Qatar is committed to creating air conditioned stadia to ensure that the intense heat does not stifle players during the competition, as temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees celsius during the summer months.

The Qatari capital of Doha is also bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said they would allow to take place between September 20 and October 20 in order to avoid athletes competing in such heat.

Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee general secretary Hassan Abdullah al-Thawadi insisted once more though that there were no plans in place to move the dates of the World Cup, but he hinted that they would be open to hosting the event in winter.

“Right now, the plans are on to host the World Cup in summer itself,” he said.

“However, if FIFA asks the organisers to postpone the championship to winter, we won’t oppose the proposal.”

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