Qatar 2022 winter switch 'makes sense' - FIFA

A senior FIFA official has said that moving the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament to the winter would "definitely make sense".

Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, the FIFA vice president with responsibility for Asia, which includes the Gulf state, has spoken out in support of plans first suggested by UEFA president Michel Platini.

Concerns about soaring summer temperatures in Qatar has led to the idea of moving the competition from its traditional slot in June and July to December and January.

In comments published by CNN, the FIFA chief said: "It would definitely make sense... I mean they have had the Asian Finals in the winter but again that goes back to them as organisers and we will be there to support them."

Last month, organisers of the Qatar 2022 World Cup said they had no intention to switch the tournament from summer to winter.

A statement from the Gulf state's organising team said it was continuing with plans to deliver a World Cup in the summer.

"Our position hasn't changed... We've always reiterated that we entered the bidding race with the intention of hosting in the summer and are continuing with our plans to deliver a World Cup in the summer unless there is a unified consensus among the international football community for alternative plans."

Hussein, president of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), also said he believes that the region can match the achievements of the leading European leagues in the future.

"I think of course, if we work as hard as we can, both as officials, as team managers, as players all across the spectrum then definitely I think in the future we can be the best," he told CNN.