By Chris Wright
It’s been nothing but an abject palaver since the decision was made, but now a FIFA task force has specifically recommended that the 2022 World Cup be played in November/December to prevent players shrivelling like sun-dried tomatoes in Qatar’s 40°c summer heat.
Average temperatures in Qatar in November are usually around 29°c, dropping down to a positively bone-chilling 25°c by the middle of December.
After spending the last six months mulling over their options, the task force has also recommended that the tournament be shortened by a few days…just because.
The final vote still lies with the FIFA executive committee, who are scheduled to meet in Zurich on March 19th to make the call after their in-house task force recommended “end-November/end-December as the most viable period for the 2022 Fifa World Cup”, as per the official FIFA statement released this morning.
Now, it’s going to cause one holy hell of a logistical nightmare for the European leagues and traditionalists will no doubt sniff at the prospect of a World Cup not beginning in June and ending in July but Pies must admit that we’re not totally repulsed by the thought of a one-off novelty Christmas World Cup – providing it is a one-off, of course.
Any thoughts on the matter, Pies fans?