Qatar 2022 World Cup Move To November Is "Done Deal" Per Report [UPDATE]
By Ty Duffy
The 2022 World Cup will require neither artificial clouds, nor futuristic air conditioning systems. Grant Wahl is reporting it as “a done deal” that the tournament will move from traditional June/July to Nov/Dec that year. That will mean average highs in the low 80s rather than north of 100 degrees.
FIFA had to move the tournament. Though it means negotiating with leagues to adjust calendars (probably by cutting mid-season international dates) and placating TV networks, those battles will be less costly than moving the tournament away from Qatar would have been. Sad as it is, FIFA can probably weather the human rights concerns.
The 2026 tournament is almost definitely heading to the U.S., with Europe and Asia out of the running. China is the logical choice for 2034. Going back to South America for the centennial in 2030 would make sense. But, that could also mean 34 years between tournaments held in Western Europe.
UPDATE: FIFA has confirmed. The 2022 World Cup will be played in Nov/Dec. The final will be played on Dec. 18.