The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations had been scheduled to start in the middle of January, with the 2022 World Cup set to finish in late December following the recommendation earlier this week of a FIFA task force.

Valcke claimed the postponement was a concession to clubs who do not want to lose their African players for back-to-back tournaments.

"The African Confederation has automatically, and I would say nicely, agreed that they will not organise [the African Cup of Nations] in January 2023," said the Frenchman in Doha. 

"They will have to postpone the African Cup of Nations to June to avoid there being a release of African players for the World Cup, and again two weeks after."

Confederation of African Football (CAF) spokesman Junior Binyam said he was not yet aware of FIFA's decision to move the tournament, but insisted the governing body is "100 per cent behind the proposals of the task force and will adjust its calendar accordingly".

The move could cause issues however, as the monsoonal rainy season in Guinea normally begins in June.

"It is not perfect, we know that," added Valcke.

"We are all making a number of concessions to make sure that this World Cup can be played, for the players, for the fans, for the media, for whoever is attending the World Cup in the best conditions."

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations had been scheduled to start in mid-January
©Getty Images




Meanwhile, Valcke has ruled out providing compensation to clubs and leagues unhappy about the decision to move the 2022 World Cup to the European winter. 

"Why are we talking about compensation?" he said.

"It's happening once, we're not destroying football.

"Why should we apologise to the clubs?

"We have had an agreement with the clubs that they are part of the beneficiaries.

"It was $40 million (£26 million/€35 million) in 2010 and $70 million (£45 million/€62 million) in 2014.

"We are bringing all our people to enjoy the sporting and financial results of the World Cup."

But The Times in London has reported today that FIFA is considering trebling the cash pool that will be distributed to clubs for releasing players for the 2022 World Cup to roughly £135 million ($209 million/€184 million).

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