The global impact of the winter World Cup

The FIFA World Cup has historically been a competition tailored for the European summer, but this year that has changed.

In the past, the tournament has been a time when family and friends can get together during the holidays and enjoy watching their nations strive for international victory on the biggest stage in football.

However, due to the extreme weather conditions in Qatar in the summer, this year’s World Cup is scheduled to start later this month on November 20.

This scheduling change has created several inconveniences for both football clubs and fans all over the world and is one of many issues regarding Qatar 2022.

It would be an understatement to label the timing of this year’s competition as an inconvenience.

Former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, also spoke on the matter ultimately labelling their decision to award Qatar the World Cup as a “mistake”.

Viewer Impact

From a spectator’s point of view, it is an element that will perhaps distance viewers from the competition. In the UK the timing of the games means many will take place mid-day during the working week.

Many can expect to be tuning into the World Cup at university, work or even on the train home.

Fans in the UK will also struggle to travel to Qatar for the beginning of the tournament due to planned strikes at Heathrow.

Additionally, during the winter months people are less likely to have remaining holiday days, travelling to the World Cup would perhaps require scheduling changes and delays of work many cannot afford.

League Impact

Not only will the World Cup interrupt all of the most respected football leagues across the world, but it will also mean that mid-season injuries and other minor injuries now hold more weight than ever.

Several players across Europe have been put in a position of either rushing their recovery and risking long term injury or sitting out a tournament that only comes around every four years.

Due to the World Cup taking place in winter, the momentum of clubs like Arsenal and Real Madrid who have started the season so well, may also be met with extra challenges.

Despite the problems, the World Cup is a competition that brings people together and regardless of the timing, it will continue to be a uniting force.