FIFA urged to finalise 2022 dates

FIFA are running out of time to change the start date of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, according to tournament organisers.

Hassan Al Thawadi, chief executive of the 2022 Qatar organising committee, has championed the World Cup being held in July the month in which the tournament traditionally takes place.

However, FIFA have already expressed concerns about the soaring temperatures in the Gulf state at that time of year, citing the need to stage games during a cooler period in the year.

Our bid was always based on a summer World Cup, Al Thawadi said.

Our legacy promises in terms of the coolant technology was always based on a summer World Cup, and, accordingly, we are proceeding ahead with a summer World Cup.

Having said that, I know there are pr…