Qatar could share 2022 World Cup matches – FIFA

It will be up to Qatar to decide if they want to share 2022 World Cup matches with neighbouring countries, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke announced on Thursday.

“It’s Qatar who must express their wish and it will be Qatar who will make the decision in the first instance. Qatar must decide and then seek the authorisation of the (FIFA) executive committee,” said Valcke, who is in Abu Dhabi ahead of this weekend’s Club World Cup final.

“We have bids like those of Spain and Portugal (for the 2018 World Cup), with a well-defined distribution of matches, and others where it is less so.

“In the weeks to come an agreement will be signed between the local organisers and FIFA and more details can be determined.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed last week that it could be possible to have some of the 2022 World Cup matches played in neighbouring countries to Qatar.

The time of year when the tournament will take place will also be examined by world football’s governing body, Valcke said, although he added that it was still “too soon” to make any decisions.

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer has suggested that the tournament take place in January to avoid the searing summer heat in the Gulf country.

One of Qatar’s neighbours who could be interested in hosting World Cup matches is the United Arab Emirates, who are bidding for the 2013 under-20 World Cup and other FIFA events in the future.

But Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, chairman of the United Arab Emirates Football Association, said that he had not been contacted by Qatar on the subject.

“We know that Qatar are the hosts and that the question is in their hands,” he said.