FIFA rules out Qatar redress

FIFA’s general secretary Jerome Valcke claimed Uefa and most of the confederations want December 23 as the date for the Qatar 2022 World Cup final — but no decision has been made and no compensation will be paid.

A FIFA task force on Tuesday recommended the 2022 tournament should be played in late November to late December to avoid the heat of the summer. The Premier League and FA say a final that close to Christmas will cause havoc with the traditional festive club programme and will campaign for an earlier final date ahead of the decision by Fifa’s executive committee on March 20.

December 18 remains a strong possibility – it is Qatar’s national day and also falls on a Sunday, and would be early enough for the festive club programme to take place. Valcke also confirmed the 2022 World Cup will be four days shorter as a “concession” to the league and clubs, 28 days instead of the usual 32, and that the African Nations Cup in 2023 will be moved to June from January.