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Jordan’s Prince Ali Calls for Winter Cup in Qatar
December 13, 2010

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Prince Ali of Jordan has called on FIFA to switch the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar from summer to winter and to allow neighboring Arab nations to host games.

Ali said he understood concerns expressed by England and other nations at FIFA’s decision to award the world tournament to the Middle East for the first time.

Concerns have been expressed regarding the ability of tiny Qatar to host such a mammoth sporting event, particularly during summer when temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius.

On a tour of Asia and Oceania, Ali said he was not surprised FIFA awarded the tournament to the nation of 1.7 million people.

The 2018 tournament went to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

Both were seen as surprise choices but Ali said he was not surprised to see Qatar chosen over the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia, which had been seen as “safer” choices.

“I am sure there are concerns, but what has been done has been done and now what we have to do is make sure [the World Cup] is a success,” Prince Ali said.

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,” he said.

“Also, in terms of capacity they will have to reach out to some of the neighboring countries to help with people coming from outside who want to experience this event.”

The 34-year-old prince is attempting to become the youngest member of the FIFA executive committee, succeeding South Korea’s Dr Chung Mong-joon. AP