Qatar World Cup may be in Winter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21644726

The World Cup ruined by Blatter and co. What a joke 2022 will be. I can't see the top European leagues stopping their season or letting their best players go off to the World Cup, so I suppose the 2022 World Cup could be played by second-string teams. I guess with 2018 being held in racist Russia, 2014 in Brazil will be the last proper World Cup. R.I.P. Football.

It has to be played in the winter because playing in 40 degree heat at the end of a long season would be shambolic. The quality of football already in the last few major tournaments has been poor in comparison to champions league football, so playing in that heat would just make it a farse. I can see a comparison with the rugby six nations with this one, where the top players selected will indeed have to leave the clubs mid-season and go and play in the world cup. Of course, those players leaving their clubs could and probably will have a dramatic effect upon the club's fortunes over that period which could eventually cost clubs millions come may. It's a messy, messy subject and I can't see anything being agreed.

Just move it to a proper country

Absolute pain in the backside moving it to winter, I appreciate the reasons why that must be done because of the heat, but just change it to a country that can host a World Cup when its meant to be hosted.

Like John said its going to result in players having to leave their teams in the middle of a campaign and that just doesn't work for me. I hate England, always have, always will, and if United suffer as a result I don't thik I'd be the only one who'd be cheesed off

Would managers be able to refuse to release their players? I couldn't see Ferguson being happy to lose pretty much a teams worth of players, especially when the likes of Jones, Smalling, De Gea couuld make their respective squads but not get the starts, or even the appearances off the bench

Absolute joke if true. Will the Premier League money machine seriously let there top players go in the middle of the season? No chance

I just hope that when Blatter goes from the Head of Fifa and retires or whatever, the 2018 and 2022 bids are redone. Not much chance of that though, FIFA is rotten to the core.

It should have been a condition when applying to host the tournament that it has to be held in summer, if the country could not meet that requirement they should never have been given it.

Just look at it this way. FIFA want to have at least one World Cup in every continent and in new parts of the world. It was going to happen at some point and now we know we can get it out of the way with in 2022.

gazzyD wrote:Just move it to a proper country

Absolute pain in the backside moving it to winter, I appreciate the reasons why that must be done because of the heat, but just change it to a country that can host a World Cup when its meant to be hosted.

Like John said its going to result in players having to leave their teams in the middle of a campaign and that just doesn't work for me. I hate England, always have, always will, and if United suffer as a result I don't thik I'd be the only one who'd be cheesed off

Would managers be able to refuse to release their players? I couldn't see Ferguson being happy to lose pretty much a teams worth of players, especially when the likes of Jones, Smalling, De Gea couuld make their respective squads but not get the starts, or even the appearances off the bench

1. Why isn't Qatar a 'proper country'?

2. Are you English? I've never understood this attitude, of the club taking precedence over the national side. It has often seemed to be United fans that hold this view though, in my experience. Fans of lesser clubs are pleased for their player when they get selected. For those lucky enough to follow a successful team, it's an inconvenience. Arrogance maybe.

When your manager signs international class players, he can't act all indignant when they get called up for international games. It's always been the case so it shouldn't come as a surprise. Either live with it or sign players who aren't good enough to play for their country. Can't have it both ways I'm afraid.

Il Gialloblu wrote:

gazzyD wrote:Just move it to a proper country

Absolute pain in the backside moving it to winter, I appreciate the reasons why that must be done because of the heat, but just change it to a country that can host a World Cup when its meant to be hosted.

Like John said its going to result in players having to leave their teams in the middle of a campaign and that just doesn't work for me. I hate England, always have, always will, and if United suffer as a result I don't thik I'd be the only one who'd be cheesed off

Would managers be able to refuse to release their players? I couldn't see Ferguson being happy to lose pretty much a teams worth of players, especially when the likes of Jones, Smalling, De Gea couuld make their respective squads but not get the starts, or even the appearances off the bench

1. Why isn't Qatar a 'proper country'?

2. Are you English? I've never understood this attitude, of the club taking precedence over the national side. It has often seemed to be United fans that hold this view though, in my experience. Fans of lesser clubs are pleased for their player when they get selected. For those lucky enough to follow a successful team, it's an inconvenience. Arrogance maybe.

When your manager signs international class players, he can't act all indignant when they get called up for international games. It's always been the case so it shouldn't come as a surprise. Either live with it or sign players who aren't good enough to play for their country. Can't have it both ways I'm afraid.

I think he means a proper footballing country. I think I'm right in saying, the Falklands are bigger than Qatar.

Quite how a countries bid can win when the time of the year hasn't been decided (or for that matter the stadium!!!!) is beyond me.

I do seriously believe that it's time we look at an alternative away from Fifa. Other sports have had successful break away groups. A lot of important countries were let down by the voting system last time around I'm sure others would be interested. It might not come off but by not at least looking at another way we just let Blatter win. He's already looking in to altering the voting system of presidency to make it an 8 year duration.

Things need to be done.

Olly,

I think there's a rule that even if managers don't let there players go, then FIFA can ban them from playing for there clubs during the tournament anyway, so the managers etc will not get a say in it.

Agree that its a joke, the reason it's played in the summer is so it dosn't effect leagues and Europe competitions, so put it slap bang in the middle disrupts everything through them into chaos.
Imagine that they would just stop the league's, and then extend them at the end of the season.
But then again, given that 2020 Euros are being held in cities rather than a country, shows that neither FIFA or UEAF, care about the fans or the tournaments, just how much cash they can get, and trying to get a legacy. To the detriment of football and fans.

Il Gialloblu wrote:

gazzyD wrote:Just move it to a proper country

Absolute pain in the backside moving it to winter, I appreciate the reasons why that must be done because of the heat, but just change it to a country that can host a World Cup when its meant to be hosted.

Like John said its going to result in players having to leave their teams in the middle of a campaign and that just doesn't work for me. I hate England, always have, always will, and if United suffer as a result I don't thik I'd be the only one who'd be cheesed off

Would managers be able to refuse to release their players? I couldn't see Ferguson being happy to lose pretty much a teams worth of players, especially when the likes of Jones, Smalling, De Gea couuld make their respective squads but not get the starts, or even the appearances off the bench

1. Why isn't Qatar a 'proper country'?

2. Are you English? I've never understood this attitude, of the club taking precedence over the national side. It has often seemed to be United fans that hold this view though, in my experience. Fans of lesser clubs are pleased for their player when they get selected. For those lucky enough to follow a successful team, it's an inconvenience. Arrogance maybe.

When your manager signs international class players, he can't act all indignant when they get called up for international games. It's always been the case so it shouldn't come as a surprise. Either live with it or sign players who aren't good enough to play for their country. Can't have it both ways I'm afraid.

im sorry but thats an awful response

Il Gialloblu wrote:

gazzyD wrote:Just move it to a proper country

Absolute pain in the backside moving it to winter, I appreciate the reasons why that must be done because of the heat, but just change it to a country that can host a World Cup when its meant to be hosted.

Like John said its going to result in players having to leave their teams in the middle of a campaign and that just doesn't work for me. I hate England, always have, always will, and if United suffer as a result I don't thik I'd be the only one who'd be cheesed off

Would managers be able to refuse to release their players? I couldn't see Ferguson being happy to lose pretty much a teams worth of players, especially when the likes of Jones, Smalling, De Gea couuld make their respective squads but not get the starts, or even the appearances off the bench

1. Why isn't Qatar a 'proper country'?

2. Are you English? I've never understood this attitude, of the club taking precedence over the national side. It has often seemed to be United fans that hold this view though, in my experience. Fans of lesser clubs are pleased for their player when they get selected. For those lucky enough to follow a successful team, it's an inconvenience. Arrogance maybe.

When your manager signs international class players, he can't act all indignant when they get called up for international games. It's always been the case so it shouldn't come as a surprise. Either live with it or sign players who aren't good enough to play for their country. Can't have it both ways I'm afraid.

I know I certainly am! #sayYestoWes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2415974/FIFA-President-Sepp-Blatter-admits-Qatar-2022-World-Cup-mistake.html

Yes we all realised it at the time you fool

I honestly think they're better off taking it off Qatar and giving it to another country, I'm not sure how far Qatar have gone in preparing for the World Cup, but I imagine they probably have done very little considering the confusion of when it's supposed to happen. Just take it off of them, hold a quick bidding process and give it to a country with the infrastructure nearly all in place, so a country where football is actually big, and where the World Cup can be played in the summer, as it is supposed to be.

Crimey wrote:I honestly think they're better off taking it off Qatar and giving it to another country, I'm not sure how far Qatar have gone in preparing for the World Cup, but I imagine they probably have done very little considering the confusion of when it's supposed to happen. Just take it off of them, hold a quick bidding process and give it to a country with the infrastructure nearly all in place, so a country where football is actually big, and where the World Cup can be played in the summer, as it is supposed to be.

Here here.  

Blatter is a complete idiot.

I think the idea of spreading football across the world and taking it to places not necessarily 'football' countries is a fair enough idea, but taking it to places where the temperature is simply too dangerous to play football in is just a stupid idea, plain and simple. To re-arrange the whole club season to fit around an international tournament that has to be played in the winter due to temperatures was always going to be a silly idea.

Russia, if you remove the racism and homophobic problems wasn't that controversial and you're taking the competition to a country that loves its football and has never staged an international competition. Although the apparent racism and homophobic abuse there is appalling and fifa need to seriously consider those problems in the lead up to 2018.

Crimey wrote:I honestly think they're better off taking it off Qatar and giving it to another country, I'm not sure how far Qatar have gone in preparing for the World Cup, but I imagine they probably have done very little considering the confusion of when it's supposed to happen. Just take it off of them, hold a quick bidding process and give it to a country with the infrastructure nearly all in place, so a country where football is actually big, and where the World Cup can be played in the summer, as it is supposed to be.

Well Brazil were told they would host the 2014 World Cup in 2007, so time certainly won't be an issue if the bid was to be redone in autumn 2014.

I think the world cup should be hosted in Iraq, would be great for their economy and would hel to boost ties between the middle est and western countries.

The cost of building all the stadiums, the security and the added infrastructure it would require would be really good for their economy.

The Terror of Tylorstown wrote:The cost of building all the stadiums, the security and the added infrastructure it would require would be really good for their economy.

I think it is worrying that you took my above comment seriously.

You spout so much rubbish it's hard to find the serious posts.

The Terror of Tylorstown wrote:You spout so much rubbish it's hard to find the serious posts.

Yet you always seem to reply.

I post a comment that the world cup should he held in the most dangerous country on the planet where on average a 1000 people are killed a month and where religious extremists are at war with the government and western forces and yet you reply and takr my comment seriously  .

TBH this is one thing I agree with on blatter- i have no problem with making this common sense decision and taking the world cup around the world..

However What I hate is the way this was supposed to be a tendered games for the summer!! Other countries prepared and spent money based on this and lost out . They were clearly a better option in the first place. It is ethically criminal from FIFA..

But i have no problem with a winter world cup.. The PL have a long enough time to sort it out. I JUST WISH this was what was proposed at tender/bidding!!!

mystiroakey wrote:TBH this is one thing I agree with on blatter- i have no problem with making this common sense decision and taking the world cup around the world..

However What I hate is the way this was supposed to be a tendered games for the summer!! Other countries prepared and spent money based on this and lost out . They were clearly a better option in the first place. It is ethically criminal from FIFA..

But i have no problem with a winter world cup.. The PL have a long enough time to sort it out. I JUST WISH this was what was proposed at tender/bidding!!!

In my mind - they should reopen the bidding, and let Qatar bid for a Winter World Cup. Along with everyone else.

I suppose.

It riles me that all these countries spend millions(including england for the 2018) and yet never have a chance in the first place.. This decision only reinforces that paranoia about FIFA!!

They don't even look at the bids do they!!

Just imagine Blatter was in charge of the winter olympics. I have a feeling Australia would win out !!

Just checked average temperatures for Doha, and its 40ish for July, wasn't USA 94 and Mexico 86 around that heat?

OK then, Uefa have given backing to a winter world cup. It seems like it will be held in January 2022, or November/December 2022. How will it fit around the domestic leagues, and the European club competitions is anyone's guess.

Hope Australia sue FIFA for every penny, and hopefully the world cup gets moved to Australia in due course.

It has to be held in Winter, otherwise, fat, bald, tattooed fans are going to die of heat exhaustion.
Actually, might be a bonus. in fact, hold it in summer.

Gold, remember that those temperatures quoted in forecasts and weather records are temperatures for the shade. Pitchside and in isolated areas it will be MUCH higher. An old boss of mine works there and out in the sun, it's frequently 50c+
This years Wimbledon final was 40c courtside. It would be naive to think a Qatari summer wouldn't be much hotter for the fans and players.

I heard the risk assessment rated Qatar as a high risk location due to the exremem heat before it was made eligible as a venue, and FIFA took no notice of the report whatsoever. just like in every day health & safety!!!!! Genius.

Fifa always planned for Qatar to win and they always planned to move the world cup to the winter.

The Times have wrote a possible schedule today, for how the 2022-23 season might work if the Qatar World Cup is held in winter. They reason that the World Cup will be held in November/December 2022, to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics. So according to the Times:

June 23 2022 - PL season starts.
July - League Cup starts.
August 9-10 - Champions League Group Stages start.
September - Euro 2024 Qualification begins.
Late October - Clubs release their players. 8 week break for PL till Boxing Day.
Early November - World Cup warm-ups.
November 17-December 18 - World Cup held.
Boxing Day - PL resumes.
May 28 2023 - Champions League finishes.
June 11 - PL finishes.
June 17 - FA Cup Final.

Whilst I appreciate the effort, it's all just a mess isn't it? How would the Football League and Non-League structure their seasons? How would the short break of just over a month between the 2021-2022 season and 2022-2023 season be realistic or feasible?

Throw it in the bin FIFA, and give the World Cup to Australia.

Just build completely closed stadiums with massive air conditioning units?

Ill imagine every non league side, will just have the standard season from Augest to May.

We only have to start the season a few weeks earlier. And finish a week or two later. It will be easy as pie to deal with.. we might even switch to a winter break by then anyway

NickisBHAFC wrote:Ill imagine every non league side, will just have the standard season from Augest to May.

I think the FA Cup will have to start earlier though. Or maybe it won't.

The FIFA carnival is very fun!

mystiroakey wrote:We only have to start the season a few weeks earlier. And finish a week or two later. It will be easy as pie to deal with.. we might even switch to a winter break by then anyway

I think an 6-8 week break has to be lumped in somewhere mid-season to accomodate the World Cup. 4 weeks for the tournament itself, and 2-4 weeks for warm-ups/preparation.

So on average 1 man a day is dieing on sites in qatar!

ermmmm..

Seems crazy doesn't it.

It's just so retarded how this has all happened. Just completely stupid.

How do you ruin the best sport in the world?

Money. And lots of it.

and with all that money they can't even provide basic health and safety!

Right not summer or winter, but spring. April to be precise. That's the latest suggestion from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Club Association, and executive chairman of Bayern Munich.

November and December will interfere with America, and their silly game of handegg. So April it may have to be!

What a jolly laugh.

What does the World Cup have to do with the NFL? Are they worried nobody in America would watch it in November/December because if they have it in April it'll be passed on in favour of the end of the NHL season and race for playoff spots, the start of the MLB season and the end of the NBA season.

Just googled it. The NFL don't give a damn about November/December. It's February they're concerned about because they don't want the final to clash with the Super Bowl.

American broadcasters are the concern for FIFA. The latter are concerned with the amount of money (aren't they ever!) they will lose out on from American broadcasters if they have the World Cup in Nocember/December.

I'd be interested to know what the American viewership would be either way.
They are too parochial and don't really give a toss about football and/or international sport.

9/10 Americans probably wouldn't be able to tell you there was a World Cup on.

We mentioned some figures up the other day.

Average of 6 m in 2006 and 11m 2010 but that is only for there games.

More are watching but it's still not massive compared to there population.

I cannot see how they would watch a WC game over a super bowl or whatever.


However that isnt there concern. The concern is 'foreign' ratings'. And they would be murdered . This clearly is a massive to them. Ratings in the USA are very important

I doubt it would make much difference really. No one is saying the WC will clash with a one night event which will also happen in a different time zone to the WC, and even if it did, it only affects ONE night of viewing out of 3 weeks of a world cup.
Not likely to make a massive difference, and I'm sure if it did coincide with the Super Bowl, I'm sure they could ensure that any USA "soccer" match could be played on a different day. There is 9 years to plan this

I would make a massive difference to foreign ratings(from the USA perspective) if world cup games clashed with the super bowl.

Oakey, The Super Bowl is one night.
I'm sure if it was going to make a massive commercial difference to the football mad nation of America they would re-arrange so that some less attractive fixtures were played on the same night, or no match at all.
Furthermore, Superbowl is the last Sunday in Jan, I assume the WC will be played way before that.