FIFA to delay Qatar World Cup decision until 2015

A FINAL decision on when the 2022 Qatar World Cup will be played is to be delayed until 2015, according to FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Picture: Getty

Blatter said he “cannot contradict” FIFA executive committee member Michel D’Hooghe, who said that a decision was expected in 2015 “at the earliest.”

Blatter’s ruling board ordered a “very deep consultation” into moving the dates in Qatar to avoid the hot summer months.

The consultation, involving football leaders, sponsors and broadcasters, will report after the World Cup finishes in Brazil next July.

All 54 members of European governing body UEFA agreed last month that the World Cup should be played in the Qatari winter.

The FIFA president said: “Let us first play the World Cup in 2014 with an easy conscience.”

Blatter also reiterated that “the 2022 World Cup will be played in Qatar,” dismissing speculation the tournament could be moved out of the tiny desert nation.