(CNN) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter expects the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be held in the winter to avoid the searing heat in the region in the summer.
Qatar won the right to host football's global showpiece last month despite temperatures in the Gulf emirate reaching 40 degrees Celsius in June and July when the tournament is traditionally staged.
Blatter went on record Friday to say that a switch to winter would make more sense, citing health concerns for players.
"I expect it to be in the winter because when you play football you must protect the main people, the players," he told gathered reporters in the Qatari capital Doha ahead of the Asian Cup, which starts later Friday. CNN
