It is not impossible, to rearrange the fixture list to accommodate the World Cup in November
Kieran Maguire is an Economics, Finance and Accounting Lecturer in the University of Liverpool’s Management School:
“The World Cup in 2022, taking place in Qatar, has been confirmed as taking place in November instead of the traditional June. Already the cries of anguish from vested interests are occupying the airwaves. There will be winners and losers from this decision, but that is always the case when a major change occurs.
Disruption to Leagues
Realistically there will be a 6-7 week break in domestic football in the major European leagues in October/November 2022.
This is likely to affect the Premier League and Championship in England. Some European leagues, such as Germany, cope with a winter break every year, so if this is shifted to November then there is less likelihood of disruption for these countries.
In England, Leagues 1 and 2 should be able to continue unaffected. Those fans truly desperate for a weekly fix of coordinated singing, cups of scalding hot Bovril and shouting obscenities at slightly overweight middle aged blokes carrying a whistle and some coloured cards can swap Old Trafford for Oldham, Anfield for Prenton Park, and the Emirates for Dagenham.
Logistics
There will be an impact on logistics for the Premier League and Championship, but historically they have always started and finished the season early in the year of a World Cup. In 2022 this adjustment is likely to be more pronounced, and have an impact on two, or perhaps three seasons in terms of starting and finishing.
It is an inconvenience and irritation, but not impossible, to rearrange the fixture list to accommodate the World Cup.
In 2022/23 expect to see a kick off in late July, and a finish in June 2023, with perhaps a late start in 2023/24. Expect also to see perhaps no replays in the FA Cup and the higher ranked teams not joining the League Cup until later in the tournament.
Affect on players
The accusation that players may be tired and this will devalue the competition does not stand up to much scrutiny, as the World Cup will now be played far earlier in the season than usual.
Therefore players should in theory be less exhausted when it commences. English players, on the basis of the last few tournaments, may have 2-3 weeks free now in November 2022 if they are knocked out as early as they were in Brazil this summer, or perhaps they might not even qualify for the tournament anyway.”
Hi Linda
Thanks for your comments. The final is currently scheduled for 23 December, although there is pressure to bring it forwards to the 18th.
The tournament was awarded for financial and geo-political reasons to Qatar, football itself didn’t come into the consideration, although there is a case for bringing the finals to the Middle East as it has never taken place there before.
As for human rights and inequality issues, if you take a look at previous hosts of the World Cup and some of their misdemeanours against their own and other citizens, few come out of it particularly well.
A really good article – one thing that you failed to mention – this falls just before a major festival. Final a couple of days before Christmas – not for me I am afraid. It is not just a winter break – there are greater implications with Qatar anyway – human rights for one, inequality for another.