Winter World Cup dates will have biggest effect on African confederations: Sky News Arabia's Ali El Garni
Tuesday 24 February 2015 14:30, UK
A shortened World Cup in winter is the best way to make the tournament work in the Qatari conditions, according to Sky News Arabia's Head of Sport Ali El Garni.
A FIFA task force has recommended playing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in across November and December to avoid the summer heat that hits the United Arab Emirates, and has suggested a shorter tournament to ensure the final would be held before Christmas.
El Garni said that while the European leagues could make the winter tournament work, albeit with some rescheduling, it is the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Janaury 2023, which faces the biggest challenge.
“The problem is not with the big European leagues like the Premier League but rather with the African confederations because the tournament is held in January, in 2023, “ El Garni said.
“The African football chiefs will try to stick to their guns and not shift the tournament to a later stage. They don’t want it to be a precedent because it if happens once maybe others will ask them to shift the date of the tournament once again.
“But the Qataris, they have some good relations with Issa Hayatou, the head of the African confederations, and they can use all the means to convince the Africans to shift that tournament. “
El Garni said the biggest concerns were how the later date would impact fan attendance.
“They are worried here, especially in Qatar, who will come to watch a World Cup in November and December, given the fact that the kids will be at school, people at work, and the Christmas holidays just coming a few days later."
The winter timing of the schedule is the only workable solution, according to El Garni, as soaring temperatures would make for unbearable playing conditions.
“Conditions-wise it will be really nice (in November-December): we’re talking about 25 degrees, not humid at all, so it’s kind of perfect for playing football unlike in the summer where it gets too hot, sometimes to 45 or 50 degrees and high levels of humidity,” he said.
“But the Qataris are very happy; even it’s a tournament of only 15 days, they will be happy as long it’s held in Qatar.”
