FIFA official: Qatar will not host 2022 World Cup
The 2022 World Cup will not be held in Qatar because of the scorching temperatures in the Middle East country, a FIFA official said on Monday.
"I personally think that in the end the 2022 World Cup will not take place in Qatar," Executive Committee member Theo Zwanziger told Sport Bild.
"Medics say that they cannot accept responsibility with a World Cup taking place under these conditions," the former German football (DFB) chief said.
Zwanziger is now a member of the world football's governing body FIFA that awarded the tournament to Qatar in 2010.
Qatar has insisted that a summer World Cup is viable thanks to cooling technologies it is developing for stadiums, training areas and fan zones.
However, there is still some concern over the health of the players and visiting supporters.
"They may be able to cool the stadiums but a World Cup does not take place only there," Zwanziger said.
"Fans from around the world will be coming and travelling in this heat and the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state prosecutor.
"That is not something that FIFA Exco members want to answer for."
FIFA are looking to shift the tournament to a European winter date to avoid the scorching summer where temperatures routinely rise over 40 Celsius.
However, talk of a potential change away from the usual June-July dates has resulted in plenty of opposition from domestic leagues around the world, worried the schedule switch would severely disrupt them. [Reuters]
Jealousy will get him nowhere. Sounds like he is being bribed by someone to speak against Qatar. Maybe Theo needs to be investigated. Qatar will be glorious! Go Q-'22!
“Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, despite comments of FIFA Executive Committee member Dr. Zwanziger, which reflect his personal opinion and not that of FIFA," said Nasser Al Khater, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy.
you obviously don't see the sun that often.
Sports are all about challenges, heat is one of them.
and this man is just 1 man among 28 membered executive committee... this is not the final word yet.
But FIFA should first Punish such guys sitting in Executive committee and commenting about the venue, even before the investigation committee comes out with their verdict.
Agree with keeppurathu.
Its a stupid arrogant European attitude only. If they cant afford the weather in another part of the world its their problem. Let them withdraw their teams . Qatar is doing their level best to provide air conditioned stadiums and all other facilities to the players and spectators and we offer our full heart support to Qatar .
"Fans from around the world will be coming and travelling in this heat and the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state ......
This is not fair...do these guys mean to say that those staying in Qatar are from mercury?..what do they mean by "Life threatening" How can such nonsense comment be even be tolerated... WAC 2022 shud stay...
Shifting the World cup to the cooler months isn't that easy as it sounds. Most of the domestic leagues have been played from August to May for years. Its almost a tradition in those countries. And they wouldn't want the World Cup to overlap or postpone the leagues. As such, it's almost impossible to have the World Cup during the cool season. And with the heat during the June-July season its uncomfortable for fans to enjoy football as a whole. When its a football world cup, The whole country would be upbeat, with the love of football and unity spread among fans & spectators. Its a culture where everyone should be dancing in the isles with pride. There is so much you'll miss if the World Cup is held in Qatar. Hopes look bleak!
World Cup in Qatar can be held in cooler months between September to December - What is the problem
This is only *bla bla bla bla bla beisbsuwnzkzbzysg* sounds. QATAR deserves more than worldcup, i visited many countries around the world and i noticed that Qatar has a nice life mood and the most safest place in the world. For the temperature it is not bad that much. Stop sharing idotism.