FIFA executive member thinks 2022 Qatar World Cup will be moved

FIFA’s mistake to pick Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup is becoming more obvious, even if it is over eight years away. Soccer’s international governing body continues to have reservations about their pick, with the latest concerns brought up by an executive committee member.

Theo Zwanziger of Germany told Sport Bild this weekend that it would be impossible to hold the tournament there because of the tiny Middle Eastern country’s oppressive heat. While officials have already said it would be moved to winter 2022, Zwanziger suggested that it would be impossible to have it there any time of the year.

“I personally believe that in the end the 2022 World Cup will not take place in Qatar,” he told Sport Bild, reports the Daily Mail. “Medical experts say that they cannot accept responsibility for a World Cup taking place under these conditions.”

Zwanziger noted that indoor stadiums can have all the cooling devices possible, but the fans coming from around the world will not be prepared for the heat outside the stadiums. After all, people have to go outside at some point.

“Fans from all around the world will be coming and travelling in that heat and the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state prosecutor,” he continued. “That is not something that FIFA executive committee members will want to be responsible for.”

Qatar, which has also been dogged by international criticism of work conditions there as they build the stadiums, has insisted that air conditioning systems in the venues will make it possible to still host the tournament. But if FIFA executives - including FIFA president Sepp Blatter - continue calling for changes to 2022, there might have to finally be some.

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