If Summer 2022 World Cup Is Moved to Winter, Australia Wants Compensation From FIFA

Australia’s soccer federation chairman wants his country to be compensated by FIFA if the World Cup 2022 in Qatar is moved from summer to winter.

This follows on yesterday’s story that FOX Sports in the United States is also opposed to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being moved. Plus, we already know that the Premier League is vehemently opposed to the tournament date being changed.

Frank Lowy, Football Federation Australia chairman, said yesterday:

“Since December 2010 Australia has been careful not to let its misgivings about the process be interpreted as sour grapes.

“But now, with increasing speculation about a change that will impact on us as one of the bidding nations, and because our competition will be affected, we have made our position public.

“Australia, like other bidding nations, was required by FIFA’s own rules to pitch for a World Cup in the June and July window.

“Changing the dates is tantamount to changing the rules after the contest is over. If that happens, compensation should be paid to those nations that invested many millions, and national prestige, in bidding for a summer event.”

Australia spent US $40million on its bid. Embarrassingly, the bid committee only received one vote from the FIFA Executive Committee.

FIFA is expected to rubber stamp the decision next month to move the tournament from the summer to the winter.