It follows the recommendation by the FIFA task force on Tuesday (February 23) to move the World Cup to from its traditional time slot of June and July, due to concerns about the searing heat of Qatar during those months, to November and December.

The move opened up the prospect of the World Cup final being held on December 23.

Blatter, currently attending the International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland. however, has ruled the plan of holding the final only two days before Christmas. 

"The World Cup will not go on until the 23rd definitely not, we have to stop at the 18th," he said. 

"I am against going to the 23rd."

The FIFA Executive Committee are expected to confirm the decision to move the tournament at their next meeting in Zurich on March 19 and 20.

The decision to move the event to the end of the year means the World Cup avoid a clash with that year's Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games which will be held in either Almaty of Beijing in February 2022.

As a consequence of the World Cup being moved to November and December, the Africa Cup of Nations in Guinea will be moved from January to June and European football leagues will suffer some disruption, having to shut down as early as the end of October to allow countries to prepare to compete in Qatar. 

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke confirmed earlier this week that the Africa Cup of Nations would be moved to avoid it coming straight after the World Cup in Qatar
©AFP/Getty Images






Blatter, though, claimed that, although some organisations are unhappy about the proposed changes, "goodwill" remains regarding the 2022 tournament.

"It's so good now to make a little bit of noise about FIFA and about the World Cup in Qatar," Blatter said.

"There are more than six years - particularly seven years - to prepare."

Blatter was one of four representatives from FIFA to take part in the 129th IFAB Annual General Meeting, along with members of the Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Among the items discussed were video replays, substitutes and sin bins.

The IFAB decided proposed introduction of a fourth substitute, in the event that a match goes into extra-time will be discussed at advisory panels before a further decision is made and have delayed trials for video replays.

The International Football Association Board meeting saw potential law changes discussed ©AFP/Getty Images



They have however agreed "in principle" on a proposal to remove an automatic one-match ban regarding the triple punishment rule, which would see a player avoid a suspension in the event they concede a penalty and are sent-off for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.

At recreation and amateur level the IFAB have allowed return substitutions to be made following trials in England and Scotland.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
February 2015: Africa Cup of Nations to be moved to suit proposed 2022 World Cup dates
February 2015: FIFA task force officially recommends November and December dates for 2022 World Cup 
February 2015: FIFA Task Force chief promises Qatar World Cup will not clash with Winter Olympics
January 2015: Almaty and Beijing pledge February 2022 Winter Olympics dates - risking World Cup clash
November 2014: Exclusive: Qatar 2022 will be held in winter whatever others suggest, claims Sheikh Ahmad