Despite impressively modern stadiums, some fear Qatar's desert heat will make games unplayable in the summer
11 April 2012
FIFA were today urged to reschedule the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to January or February to avoid the desert state's sweltering heat.
The call was made by Peter Velappan, former general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation, who fears that some European teams could boycott a summer tournament when temperatures would top 40°C.
Qatar was controversially awarded the tournament last week after reassuring FIFA's executive committee that air conditioners would be used to cool stadiums and training grounds but Velappan insisted this was not a solution.
Velappan's comments echoed those by FIFA member Franz Beckenbauer, who suggested making a one-time change to the European league schedules to allow the Qatar games to be played in winter.
