国际足联讨论世界杯日期

FIFA has opened a two-day board meeting to discuss whether to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from the traditional summer dates.

It wants to make a change from the usual June-July slot to avoid the extreme heat in the tiny desert nation. FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been pushing for it, but is likely to meet opposition from Europe and the United States. They want FIFA to consult widely before agreeing. Blatter has raised the possibility of starting the tournament in November, while UEFA President Michel Platini prefers January. A FIFA-appointed task force will study the potential impact of changing the dates.