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Hurdles? It's not the Olympic games, but the soccer world cup.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has refused to rule out the possibility of Qatar co-hosting the 2022 World Cup but believes that such talk is a little bit premature.

The debate over Qatar hosting the World Cup rumbles on as question marks continue to be raised about workers' rights in the country following the revelation that dozens of Nepalese workers have died in the country this year.

The Gulf state are expected to stage the most prestigious tournament in world football during the winter for the first time in the event's history due to concerns about the extreme heat in June/July.

A consultation process was established by FIFA's executive committee last month to examine potential impacts of moving the World Cup to winter and Blatter hinted a co-hosted tournament might become a consideration in the future.

"I keep a big question mark on this, Blatter said. "I have just passed through Iran and, even on a political level, people told me they would be happy to host some of the matches.

"So not even in the Gulf state but in the Middle East in general people care about this.

"The UAE would also be very eager, but let's go step by step.

"The first step is to see how it can be played in November and December and this shall be until the next World Cup: we have six, nine, months' time to do so."

The 77-year-old added: "I want to avoid all of this criticism concerning workers' rights, but this is

another problem.

"To have the finals in different countries is not a new fact and I am sure it is something on the table at a certain time."

World Cup games in Iran this is getting silly.

With qatar troglodyte laws it should not have been awarded to them.

If it was won with a fair bid it would have been moved by now, corruption in fifa is beyond sickening.

FIFA has held talks with the Premier League over a proposed Qatar World Cup switch from summer to winter in 2022.

The Premier League has declined to comment on quotes attributed to FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke that world football's governing body was "close to an understanding" on the possible change.

Frenchman Valcke is leading a review into whether the tournament should be moved to avoid the high temperatures during the summer in Qatar.

The Premier League are contributing towards the debate, as FIFA meets all major stakeholders affected by any switch, and Valcke revealed that the Football Association and Premier League wanted to preserve their game's traditional Christmas schedule.

Valcke told the Daily Telegraph: "That was part of the discussion, that we have to protect your specific period, which is Boxing Day and these very specific 10 days, which are part of the history of English football."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said last month it would be "morally reprehensible" for FIFA to move the World Cup to winter without meaningful discussions with the rest of the game.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed earlier this month that the 2022 World Cup will not be moved to January or February because of the Winter Olympics.

Last month FIFA set up a task-force to look at alternative dates for the tournament and will consult with medical experts, broadcasters, sponsors and influential European leagues.

Bunch of bloody very rich idiots,the things you have to go through for a big payday eh Sepp.

I dont understand what are the criteria for a country to stage a world cup? Arent they; current popularity and participation of/in football, capacity to stage the tournament including climatic, political and cultural conditions, international tv viewing times relative to game times, accommodation and living conditions for fans outside of time spent in stadiums, the after effects of staging the tournament i.e. growth of the game locally.

Qatar offers none of these things, just boot loads of cash for FIFA.

How in hell can the UK or Australia not be better candidates for the World Cup. Jesus no world cup in England for 50-60-70? years says Blatter hates the brits, no question.

i hate that guy.

He must hate a lot of people then, as England aren't the only country not to host the world cup for 50+ years. Most countries have never hosted it at all. Besides, what most people don't realise is that we have only ever made a bid to host it twice!

both times we got stabbed in the back.