Fifa vice-president proposes late kick-offs at Qatar World Cup

Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce believes that the organisation is obliged to consider any idea that might reduce the effects of the blistering heat during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including later-than-usual kick-offs.

Ever since the Arab state was confirmed as the venue for the game's showpiece event, the debate has been raging over how best to protect players from temperatures that could rise as high as 50 degrees Celsius during the midday summer sun.

It has been suggested that the tournament should be switched to winter, but there is now talk of the games kicking off close to midnight, a proposal that Boyce feels Fifa must evaluate.

"Anything should be considered to try to alleviate the severe heat conditions," he told Press Association.

"We have heard that there is an intention to provide air conditioning in the stadiums but we should also look at anything that will improve spectator comfort and player comfort.

"People cannot play in 50 degree heat so if that's to be one of the compromises then that's something we will have to look at."

Qatar beat off competition from United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia for the right to stage the 2022 World Cup.