Source: Reuters

Sports and heat do not mix well together. At least not the Qatar type of heat ... in the summer.

The searing of summer in Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup is set to be held, is already leading to hot debates as early as now. IFA President Sepp Blatter anticipates his executive committee to provide a final decision soon whether the World Cup will continue to be held in Qatar on these hot months.

Blatter had shared with The Associated Press on Sunday that by the meeting on Oct 3 and 4 in Zurich, a decision would have been approved to change the months on which the sweaty games will be held. One of the agenda in this meeting should be what the best time for Qater to host the tournament as well.

In an interview held on the sidelines of the annual charity football tournament, Blatter shared, "I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in summer in Qatar. Moreover, he also answered, "What will be following, this would be then decided later."

Blatter said the decision would depend on consultations involving leagues, clubs, national associations and players, through their international union FIFPro. No definite timetable has been set yet.

This is not a new issue. Qatar's suitability to host the 2022 Olympic games in June and July has already been questioned in December of 2010. The decision of the FIFA's board to choose the country over the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Australia was wracked with criticisms.

However, Qatar's World Cup organising committee defended the country by claiming they would develop a stadium air-cooling technology. However, very few in the board has confidence on this technology. Instead of changing the venue, a change in the months when the games would be held is the more suitable solution.

"What will be the ongoing situation with such a decision, we have to look on the international calendar," Blatter said. "We have to look if and how it is possible, when we don't play in summer, when is the best time to play in winter?"