SYDNEY - Prince Ali of Jordan has called on Fifa to switch the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar from summer to winter and to allow neighbouring Arab nations to host games.
Ali told the Australian Associated Press he understood concerns expressed by England and other nations at Fifa's decision to award the tournament to the Middle East for the first time.
Concerns have been expressed around the ability of tiny Qatar to host such a mammoth event, particularly during its summer when temperatures can reach 50°.
Ali, on a tour of Asia and Oceania, said he understood Australians were upset at having lost the chance to host the 2022 Cup but was not surprised Fifa awarded the tournament to a nation of 1,7million people.
The 2018 tournament went to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.
Ali said he supported calls to move the 2022 tournament in Qatar to the cooler month of January to allow matches to be played in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and possibly Saudi Arabia.
"I think they have to incorporate the people of the region."
'Switch Qatar Cup to winter'
SYDNEY - Prince Ali of Jordan has called on Fifa to switch the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar from summer to winter and to allow neighbouring Arab nations to host games.
Ali told the Australian Associated Press he understood concerns expressed by England and other nations at Fifa's decision to award the tournament to the Middle East for the first time.
Concerns have been expressed around the ability of tiny Qatar to host such a mammoth event, particularly during its summer when temperatures can reach 50°.
Ali, on a tour of Asia and Oceania, said he understood Australians were upset at having lost the chance to host the 2022 Cup but was not surprised Fifa awarded the tournament to a nation of 1,7million people.
The 2018 tournament went to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.
Ali said he supported calls to move the 2022 tournament in Qatar to the cooler month of January to allow matches to be played in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and possibly Saudi Arabia.
"I think they have to incorporate the people of the region."
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