FIFA announced on Thursday the long-awaited date for the conclusion of the Qatar-helmed 2022 World Cup, which is on Dec. 18, coinciding with the host country’s national day.
"Finally we know the end of the tournament. It's a Sunday and, by the way, it's the national day in Qatar, so it fits perfectly," FIFA Director of Communications Walter de Gregorio remarked.
However, the director did not reveal yet the date of the World Cup's kickoff. According to him, the governing body's executive committee will be the one to announce the schedule.
FIFA said in a statement that "the 2022 World Cup will be staged in November or December." The world football's governing body decided to hold the event on such period to avoid intense summer temperatures in Qatar.
FIFA has furthermore agreed that the 2022 edition of the World Cup will be shortened to 28 days from its usual 31- or 32-day period.
Qatar became record-holder when it was given the right to be the first Middle East state to host the World Cup back in Dec. 2010. However, since then, controversies have surfaced stating the unsuitable Qatari condition to stage the world's biggest sports tournament.
Though accused of corruption in the voting process, together with Russia who will host the 2018 World Cup, FIFA clarified that both countries have not done any wrongdoing.
Earlier, European clubs and leagues have lobbied FIFA, stating that the World Cup should not be scheduled midway through their season.
The governing body, however, emphasized that the tournament could not take place in January or February to give way to the 2022 Winter Olympics.