Will Qatar 2022 Have a Drastic Impact on Football’s Calendar?

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We’re a year away from the next football World Cup which will be significant for many reasons. Qatar 2022 will be held from November 21 to 18 December 2022, making it the first World Cup to be held in winter. That was a decision not many clubs or even players agreed to, but due to the scorching heat, it must be held in winter.

So far, the Qatar 2022 World Cup has been mired in many controversies. From the schedule to the dreadful construction conditions that have led to hundreds of workers dying, it’s already a tournament to remember. One thing’s for sure – the next World Cup will go down in the history books, but we’re yet to see if that happens on a positive or negative note.

Disruptions to the Calendar

Disruptions to regular football schedule are a major problem that hasn’t been even addressed before FIFA decided on the dates. To the dismay of many, the leading football organization just decided that the next World Cup will be held over the winter in Qatar, citing the heatwave in the summer as the main reason behind the decision. Of course, this would also mean a mandatory 6-week break in the middle of the season that could spell injuries to key players and bad results.

The decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in the winter will have numerous implications on club football. It would likely mean that clubs won’t schedule preseason tours that have been an ample source of income. Another big problem will be the performance of star players. The biggest ones such as Messi, Neymar, Mbappe, and Ronaldo, will be expected to perform regularly and in tip-top condition for their clubs from August or September, with a World Cup looming just months after. It will surely lead to controversial decisions and possible problems with club managements, as many players won’t showcase their talents in fear of injuries. Playing for their countries will be a priority next year, and with tight deadlines, it could mean a mediocre season for many clubs.

When Qatar was awarded the winning bid for the 2022 World Cup in football, it was under the premise that it’ll be held regularly in June-July. However, concerns over high temperatures prompted FIFA to consider another period. Years of speculation came true last year when the world’s governing body in football announced November-December 2022 dates for the World Cup.

The decision immediately created troubles for club football. The regular season is played from August to May, with the final few months a very busy time in European football. That will all be disrupted due to the 2022 World Cup, and the implications will follow even a year later.

Player Workload a Great Concern

Right now, the top players in the world play over 60 games per season, some even more. If their clubs are successful on the big stage, a player can easily play in over 70 games. With the World Cup held next winter, player workload will be a problem. While some players are ‘magically’ protected from injuries, others are not. Players who carry their national teams on their backs are likely to play with a lesser intensity before the World Cup, which can lead to bad club results.

As a result, doctors will have their hands full as next season arrives. What’s most concerning is that FIFA and football organizations are yet to agree on possible solutions. There’s no contingency plan for the obvious problems, and there’s almost no sign of season extension in 2023. The UEFA 2023 Champions League final is already scheduled for May 27 in 2023 (in Istanbul), which is just a day earlier than the 2022 final. It’s clear that the biggest football governing bodies have not given player workload a though or answered clubs’ numerous questions.