FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks during a news conference at the Club World Cup in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi December 17, 2010.REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed

DOHA (Reuters) - The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will probably be staged in January rather than June or July, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said for the first time on Friday.

Speaking to a media roundtable in the Qatari capital before the opening match of the Asian Cup, he said: “I expect it will be held in the winter.

“We have time to look at this question, it is still 11 years away but we must decide the most adequate period for a successful World Cup which means January or the end of the year.”

Summer temperatures in Qatar can soar to over 40 degrees Celsius while those in the winter months are far more comfortable.

Blatter said that the Qatari football association is now responsible for organising the World Cup and they would work closely with FIFA in the years ahead to guarantee a successful tournament.

“Do not forget there is still 11 years to go and although we have the basic conditions of their bid for a June and July World Cup, the FIFA executive committee is entitled to change anything that was in the bid.

“When you play football you have to protect the main people, the players.”

When the decision was announced last month to award Qatar the 2022 finals -- the first time the event has been held in the Middle East -- many observers were concerned the intense temperatures there which can top 50 Celsius would be unbearable for players and fans alike.

In January, the temperatures are usually between 20 and 30 Celsius.