DOHA/ZURICH: The organisers of the Qatar 2022 World Cup have pledged to continue developing stadium cooling technology, despite confirmation from FIFA that the tournament would be moved to November-December writes CHRISTIAN RADNEDGE.

FIFA’s executive committee approved the recommendation to alter the dates of the 2022 showpiece because of searing temperatures in the usual June-July World Cup slot in the Gulf region.

Following the decision by world football’s governing body in Zurich, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy for the Qatar 2022 World Cup released a statement embracing the change.

“We welcome the decision of FIFA’s Executive Committee in relation to the timing of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” the statement said. “We are satisfied the process has reached its conclusion.

“Regardless of the change in dates, we will continue to develop the cooling technology promised during the bid, ensuring our commitment to deliver a true legacy as a result of the first World Cup in the Middle East remains.”

Critics argued that while Qatar could air condition a stadium, spectators would be at risk while outdoors during the course of the tournament.

Qatar had maintained previously that its cooling technology plans formed part of their national strategy and had promised, once completed, to share the technology with the world.

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