ZURICH: National team football may not resume until early next year according to  Canadian Victor Montagliani, the FIFA vice-president who chairs a working group on the world federation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Montagliani, who is also president of the central/north American confederation CONCACAF, has raised doubts about whether any international football can be played in the remainder of this year.

In European terms this would include the Nations League which is due to take up the autumn fixture slots.

Montagliani said: “I think that might be a bit of a challenge, not so much because of just the health issues around the world and the various degrees of preparedness but also committing to international travel as soon as we come back.

“I think that domestic football is a priority. September is still in the books, but I would garner to say that I’m not sure it’s there on solid ground the way things are trending right now.

“I’m fairly confident the March fixtures window in 2021 will be fine but the priority is to help our national leagues, then look at our events.”

Montagliani also suggested that the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, set for China next year, would be postponed until 2022 In fact, whether this is ever takes off at all is open to question.

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