DUBROVNIK, Croatia — Europe's 54 football nations are prepared to support switching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from the summer heat, and prefer playing in January. European football leaders tell the Associated Press they gave UEFA President Michel Platini a mandate Wednesday for change, which FIFA President Sepp Blatter suggests his ruling board should agree in principle next month. Estonia Football Association President Aivar Pohlak says the switch should be a “one-off” for Qatar. Platini will announce UEFA's position in the winter debate after further meetings with his strategy council and executive committee end Friday. Belgium's football president Francois de Keersmaecker says “it seems the 2022 World Cup. can't be played in the months of June and July.” Politics influenced World Cup decision: Blatter FIFA President Sepp Blatter has admitted that the choice of Qatar as 2022 World Cup host was partly influenced by political and economic interests. “Yes, there was definitely direct political influence,” Blatter told Thursday's edition of German weekly Die Zeit, Blatter. “European leaders recommended to its voting members to opt for Qatar, because of major economic interests in the country.” He made the admission when asked if Qatar had been chosen by world football's governing body FIFA based on considerations other than sport. While rumors of corruption still circulate around FIFA's decision in 2010 to award the 2022 tournament to the Arab state, Blatter said: “We have just set up a new, independent ethics commission to re-examine the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar.” Brazil interested in hosting women's World Cup In the midst of preparing for next year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, Brazil could also be in line to hold the women's World Cup as early as 2019. Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo told reporters he's already talked with FIFA President Sepp Blatter about the idea. “I proposed the idea,” Rebelo said at the launch of a new Brazilian women's league Monday. “I think other countries are interested in holding the event. We'll have to look at the calendar. If we don't get it for 2019, then we'll have to look at another year (2023).” That would make for a very crowded calendar since Brazil is also slated to hold the Copa America in 2019 — the men's continental championship. Canada will hold the 2015 women's World Cup. — Agencies
