• Fifa president says Qatar will be too hot for 'party' in summer • Concerns were raised when Qatar won hosting rights in 2010

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The Fifa president Sepp Blatter has reiterated his appeal to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter to avoid the searing summer heat.

"If this World Cup is to become a party for the people, you can't play football in the summer," said Blatter. "You can cool down the stadiums but you can't cool down the whole country."

Despite health concerns included in an official report before the vote, the Fifa executive committee opted for the Middle Eastern country's bid in 2010. Blatter has repeatedly refused to say if he backed Qatar.

Speaking during a two-day conference on sports, media and economy set up by Franz Beckenbauer in Austria, Blatter added: "There is still enough time. I will bring this up to the executive committee."