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Former Dutch football star Ronald de Boer, who was one of the Qatar 2022 World Cup ambassadors, feels May 1 is the best date for the start of the World Cup in Qatar.
The Ajax-Amsterdam legend, who was seen as playing a key role in delivering the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, said June will be a bit hot to stage the events.
“I have played here. I have also played in pre-season here in August. It is obvious that the World Cup in June and July is not beneficial for Qatar. I think it can be moved to the beginning of May. I have played in May. It is perfect at night. Even if we use cooling technologies, football is not only about the players, most of it is about the fans to get a great experience,” de Boer said at the Aspire4Sport Conference yesterday.
“For me it’s a ‘been there done that feeling’ as I have stayed in Qatar for a long time of nine years,”, de Boer added.
De Boer, who has played for Al Rayyan and Al Shamal in the Qatar Stars League, said: “Ever since the 2022 tournament was awarded to Qatar in December 2010, a debate has raged over whether it should be moved to the winter to avoid searing summer temperatures that reach 41C.
“In May, I know for sure because I have played here that everybody will enjoy, the fans the footballers, everyone. I personally think first week of May and by first week of June everything will be fine. In 1994, in Orlando at 3 o’clock, it probably felt like 45-50 in the stadium. So I think we won’t have that experience for sure.
“I hear some people have said November. I like to see change personally. We don’t know now but maybe later we may see a winter World Cup is a great thing. If we don’t try we won’t know. That’s not for me to decide. I think if you want to be closer to the normal football schedule, beginning of May is a good option.”
His view might not chime with those of UEFA president Michel Platini, who has angered some of the European leagues by repeatedly suggesting that the 2022 World Cup should be played in the winter – an option which would cause significant disruption to their season.
