FIFA president Joseph Blatter believes a new international fixture list can be put in place by the end of 2014 to facilitate a proposed switch of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter because of high summer temperatures.
“The provisional fixture list for the 2022 World Cup will be ready by the end of 2014. That gives us eight years, which is more than enough time,” Blatter told DPA on Thursday.
Blatter, who voiced his determination on Wednesday to have the 2022 World Cup played in winter to avoid the intense Qatari summer heat, said he did not expect to face compensation claims from the US, Australia or South Korea, who lost out to the emirate in the fight to host the event.
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“I don’t believe we will face complaints. FIFA regulations make clear that the FIFA Executive Committee has the power to make changes for a World Cup,” the 77-year-old explained.