Qatar 2022 communications chief Nasser Al Khater has claimed that holding the World Cup in the winter could become the "norm" in the future.

FIFA confirmed yesterday that a decision on when to stage the 2022 World Cup will be made at the start of next year, with many quarters suggesting that a summer tournament in Qatar would be impossible due to the searing heat.

Al Khater admitted that there would be "resistance" to switching the World Cup from a summer tournament to a winter one, but believes that Qatar 2022 could act as a "template" for future editions.

"There's obviously some resistance to move to break away from tradition, that's normal, that's natural but a lot of people believe this is the World Cup and belongs to the world," Al Khater told the Soccerex conference in Manchester.

"This could be the first time a World Cup is moved in terms of timings and maybe this becomes the norm for the future and becomes a template that we can move.

"Everyone agrees this is the most important sports tournament in the world and we need to make sure it is as successful as it can be. It does not affect our planning or delivery so long as there is a consensus."

Qatar's bid to host the World Cup has been dogged by accusations of corruption and bribery since they were awarded the tournament in 2010.