FIFA are set to announce the final dates for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Friday, with much controversy surrounding the decision to host the competition in the winter, and Britain’s FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce has provided an update on the situation.
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Boyce is a key member of the committee that will decide the final tournament dates, as the scorching heat of June and July in Qatar is desperate to be avoided.
He said: “There is no way you can have a World Cup final on December 23 and then have a lot of people all trying to get home for Christmas,” as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“December 18 has to be the absolute deadline and in Britain that would allow the club programme to resume their fixtures on Boxing Day.”
According to reports, the tournament is set to take place from Sunday 20 November to Sunday December 18 – allowing players and supporters to return with plenty of time ahead of Christmas.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter declared that the final must be held no later than December 18 – to protect Britain’s festive period – which would also be fitting given this Qatar’s national day.