20 Sep 2013

Europe football backs winter world cup

11:03 am on 20 September 2013

European football chiefs have agreed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should be played in the Northern Hemisphere winter.

The backing from UEFA's 54 members makes it much more likely the tournament will be moved from summer, when temperatures in the Gulf can reach 50°C.

The decision provides a boost to world football chiefs at FIFA who are also expected to agree in principle to a winter tournament when they meet in Zurich next month.

European football associations now want FIFA to discuss with them whether the tournament should be played in January 2022 or November/December that year.

British officials want to protect their Christmas domestic schedules while UEFA favours January to minimise the impact on the Champions League.