2022 Qatar World Cup final date on December 18

FIFA confirmed that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would be played in the winter, announcing Thursday that its governing executive committee had set the date of that year’s final for Dec. 18.

FIFA's communications chief Walter de Gregorio told reporters on Thursday that the decision was made by the executive committee of soccer’s ruling body FIFA following a recommendation by a task force that was set up specifically to discuss the issue.

The announcement ended more than four years of indecision.

Qatar was awarded the 2022 finals in December 2010 on the basis it would take place in the summer in air-conditioned stadiums.

It remains unclear when the tournament will begin. The 2014 tournament in Brazil lasted 32 days, and the 2018 World Cup in Russia is scheduled at the same length. A similar timetable in Qatar would put the World Cup opener around Nov. 17, though FIFA officials suggested Thursday that a 28- or 29-day schedule was under consideration.