Soccer:Fifa president Sepp Blatter expects the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be held in January. The game's showpiece is traditionally held in the northern hemisphere's summer but the stifling heat in the Middle East at that time of year has led to calls for a rethink.

Concerns regarding the conditions were initially tempered by the promise of air-conditioned stadiums and training venues but Blatter now believes Fifa could change tack for the well-being of the players.

And Blatter, speaking at the launch of the Asian Cup in Doha, told reporters: “I expect it will be held in the winter. We have time to look at this question, it is still 11 years away but we must decide the most adequate period for a successful World Cup which means January or the end of the year.

“When you play football you have to protect the main people, the players.”

Any change to the World Cup calendar would play havoc with domestic schedules, especially in Europe where the majority of leagues play through the winter.