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Qatar Faces No Threat To Its Right To Host 2022 World Cup

FIFA will announce on Friday that Qatar faces no threat to its right to host the 2022 World Cup, sources close to the governing body … Continue reading Qatar Faces No Threat To Its Right To Host 2022 World Cup


FIFA will announce on Friday that Qatar faces no threat to its right to host the 2022 World Cup, sources close to the governing body have told BBC Sport.

The Gulf state faces allegations about its treatment of migrant workers, while there are also fears that searing summer temperatures in Qatar of more than 40C could risk the health of players and supporters.

But it appears Fifa will stick by Qatar, which saw off competition from Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States to host the event.

Arriving for day two of Fifa’s meeting in Zurich, executive committee member Jeffrey Webb told BBC Sport: “We have the opportunity to make sure that the programme for Qatar is correct and in good form.

“Today we’ll focus on how we’ll analyse the situation, what’s in the best interests and how do we collaborate with various stakeholders.

“I don’t think that there will be a decision today. I don’t think there should be a decision today.

“The game is about the players, the fans, the experience and Fifa has a responsibility to make sure that we get it right.”

Fifa is also expected to reveal plans to monitor the issue of migrant workers on Friday following revelations last month in the Guardian. 

At the same time, it also intends to form a taskforce – likely to be led by Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa – to examine alternative dates for the tournament.

The body will engage with all significant stakeholders, including domestic leagues across the world, before quickly reporting back to Fifa with a plan of action.