It seems like FIFA is going forward with the Qatar plans. This seems like the perfect opportunity for UEFA to get some power back from FIFA. If they scheduled a summer tournament between all the players in Europe (divided by league or by nationality), it would be just as good as the WC if not better (less filler teams). Similar to how the NBA is talking about getting rid of the FIBA basketball WC and running their own international tournament. No reason to share the money when you are paying everyone (reports this week were 75% of WC players play in European leagues).
So lets get our predictions on record - Will the top players in Europe be playing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? Are football fans going to be happy with the WC ruining their domestic seasons? What is more important to fans these days, leagues or WC? What is more important to the sponsors (since they are the only ones that really matter)?
*Question for UKers - who has the TV rights to WC 2022? Is it the same as who has domestic EPL rights (as of now, I know the contracts haven't been signed)? Here in the US, FOX/Sky has the rights but they also have NFL which will take priority. I imagine they will have an issue since they bid on a summer TV show, not winter. Are there similar issues in the UK?