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AFC boss says 2022 FIFA World Cup in Winter

Xinhua, January 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa told reporters on the sidelines of the Asian Cup that, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar looks increasingly likely to be played in the winter.

FIFA is contemplating a winter tournament in November and December to avoid unbearable heat in a Qatar summer when average temperatures can soar to nearly 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

"The period best suited for hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be in November and December because for sure it needs to be played in the winter," Shaikh said.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach hoped that the World Cup will not overlap with the Winter Olympic Games. And UEFA boss Michel Platini would like to give FIFA a spring option. Platini liked the World Cup to be played in January 2022, which will not clash with the Champions League but may offend the IOC.

The timing of the World Cup has been difficult since Qatar got the hosting rights in 2010. What's more, Qatar's bidding process has been under investigation when alleged corruption was suggested. Enditem