Madrid –The European Club Association (ECA) will on Monday submit proposals to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in April and May rather than the traditional time of June and July.
According to documents seen by dpa, the ECA will suggest precise dates of April 28 to May 29 for the competition at a FIFA meeting in Zurich. Group matches would kick off at 6pm, 8.30pm and 11pm local time, with knock-out games taking place at 7pm and 10pm.
The proposal would prevent players taking to the field at times of peak temperature in the Gulf region.
“We believe it is the best option,” said ECA president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The World Cup being played in April and May would mean less disruption to domestic seasons than it taking place in November and December. However, some leagues would then have to stage domestic cup finals in June.
Hosting the tournament in January and February is unlikely to be possible due to a clash with the 2022 Winter Olympics. – Sapa-dpa