FIFA President Sepp Blatter has admitted for the first time that FIFA made 'a mistake' when appointing Qatar as the host nation for the 2022 World Cup.
The revelation came during an exclusive interview with Insideworldfootball.com on issues surrounding the two tournaments set to follow Brazil 2014.
When questioned on whether FIFA were aware that Qatar's climate would prevent a summer tournament taking place before they were announced as 2022 host on December 10, 2010, Blatter said: 'That may well be so, and it may well be that we made a mistake at the time.'
However Blatter confirmed that he will press ahead with plans to switch the tournament to winter, a move which would mean an enforced mid-season break for the Premier League.
Blatter told Insideworldfootball.com: 'First, we need to see whether the owner of the FIFA World Cup - FIFA - actually agrees with my recommendation, one that I shall table at the October 3/4 ExCo meeting, and whether it follows my advice to change the dates from summer to winter.
'Once the Executive Committee of FIFA has agreed to that, we can take the next steps which will include a close look at the international calendar and establish what consequences the change would have. And we would naturally need to speak to and consult with all interested parties and stakeholders.'
Blatter expects his executive committee to agree that the 2022 tournament should be switched from the searing heat of summer.
Speaking to the Associated Press last month, Blatter said: 'I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in summer in Qatar
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