The 2022 World Cup is to be played in the winter to avoid the fierce heat of June and July, and it will be a shortened tournament over 28 days instead of the usual 32, starting on or around November 21.

The final on Sunday December 18 is also Qatar's national day.

UEFA had initially pushed for the final to be as late as December 23 but UEFA President Michel Platini claimed he now supported the new date 

"The Executive Committee today confirmed that the 2022 World Cup will be staged in November/December with the final to be on December 18," FIFA said in a statement.

"In principle, it was agreed that the tournament should be played over a reduced timeframe, for instance 28 days.

"The working group for the international match calendar will meet in due course to finalize the international match calendar for the 2019-2022 cycle."

More details are expected to be announced following the second day of the FIFA Executive Committee meeting tomorrow. 

The domestic leagues in Europe are expected have to shut down at the end of October to accommodate countries preparations for the World Cup. 

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