Qatar is in danger of losing their bid to host the 2022 World Cup as four of Europe’s football elite wants to take away the rights of Qatar in hosting the FIFA world cup in the country. Qatar was awarded the hosting three years ago. However, because the FIFA may be held in summer, Qatar’s dangerously high temperatures could make it a big problem for the country.
FIFA is considering to change the 2022 World Cup to winter, but the problems rise as Fox said that it only agreed to pay $1 billion for the rights to screen the World Cup during the summer of 2018 and 2022 and they will not conform to a seasonal “switch” with the price they paid.
Qatar is legally bound to host the football event regardless of season and weather and they have no legal contracts regarding hosting the event during winter.
Experts said that only a change of venue is the option if there is no winter event switch. However, other Europe football elite, including Premier League Richard Scudamore, said that he will not support moving the event to winter. FIFA Chairman Greg Dyke also said that Qatar cannot efficiently host the event during the summer, making the situation problematic for all sides.
The EPFL said that an extensive consultation process will be done before any confirmation of the final 2022 FIFA World Cup will be moved seasonally or location-wise.