FIFA opens talks on 2022 WCup dates

Zurich — FIFA will host its first consultation meeting next week to agree dates for playing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA says its six confederations plus clubs, leagues and players' unions from around the world will be represented at talks led by Asian Football Confederation President Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain.

A second session is scheduled for November, FIFA says.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has suggested his executive committee should make a decision next March.

Blatter said it is "not rational" to play a traditional June-July tournament, when temperatures in Qatar rise above 40 C (104 F).

Blatter and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke have said only a November 2022 kickoff works.

Europe's top club competitions face a two-month stoppage, and fixture calendar changes over three seasons.