Next FIFA World Cup to happen...in a desert?

Desert state Qatar hopes to convince Fifa officials to stage the World Cup in the Middle East for the first time - with air-conditioned pitches. The super rich nation has promised to keep players cool in summer temperatures of up to 50C by blowing cool air over them. Qatar - one of the world's wealthiest countries - will show Fifa officials plans for multi-billion pound stadiums shaped as boats and sea shells.

Organisers of the bid for the 2022 tournament are proposing to ferry fans to some matches on boats and provide sea views from seats at matches. Strict alcohol laws will be relaxed with dedicated fan zones where beer will be available, said Nasser Al Khater from the organising committee.

A delegation of Fifa officials is visiting the state to look at the facilities, including a five-a-side prototype of one of the air-conditioned stadiums. The solar-powered cooling system keeps temperatures in the stadium and on the pitch at a constant temperature of 27C, compared to the summer average of 41C.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter gave Qatar's bid a boost when he said earlier this year that the Arab world deserves to stage a World Cup. Mr Blatter said Qatar's successful hosting of the 2006 Asian Games showed it was capable of organising big international events. Experts consider it the outsider among bidders including the USA, Australia, South Korea and Japan.

It is the smallest bidding country but amongst the richest and would spend £2.6bn on stadiums and £26bn on infrastructure.

"Qatar has a good chance to win the bid and it is not only Qatar's bid but that of the whole region," Mr Al Khater said.

"Our aim is to bring the world's greatest football event to the Middle East for the first time."

Fifa will announce the hosts of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December. England is in the running for 2018, but will go into the hat for 2022 if its bid for the earlier tournament fails.


/Sky News/