TELL Magazine

FIFA has offered January and November in 2022 as alternative kickoff dates for the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA said it presented the two options on Monday when its consultation group first met to seek ways to avoid playing in the desert heat of June-July.

FIFA’s executive committee will confirm the 2022 World Cup dates at its meeting in March 2015 in Zurich.

However, the January to February tournament option probably could not happen if the 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled in the traditional February slot.

Sepp Blatter, FIFA President, has repeatedly said the World Cup cannot be played in the Qatari summer, even though the organizing committee has stood by its pledge to build air-cooled stadiums and play in summer.