THE prospect of a mid-season World Cup is not something that has previously been considered.

Now, following the news that FIFA’s taskforce is recommending the Qatar tournament be staged in November and December 2022, it seems an increasing reality.

Everyone knows that awarding the jamboree to the Gulf state in the first place was a fundamentally flawed process.

Putting aside any allegations of corruption and wrong-doing, choosing a nation in which it is not unknown for summer temperatures to hit 50C was totally bonkers.

Since then, reports into the process have been composed and accusations dismissed.

Whether we like it or not, barring the most remarkable of U-turns, Qatar it will be in seven years time.

In an ideal situation, the world’s leading leagues and organisations would continue in their criticism of FIFA and demand the bidding process be re-run. But, when push comes to shove, that’s sadly not going to happen.

So, we might as well try to make the most of a bad situation.

Who knows, playing a World Cup in the middle of the European domestic season might actually be good.

It would certainly be novel, even though it would also set a precedent for other countries to make future bids based around different dates (as, crucially, Qatar’s was not).

Consider the possibilities. Instead of watching Premier League matches played out in the wind and rain, we could be enjoying the world’s best battling it out in the sun pre-Christmas. It would almost be like a second summer.

Also, many of the players would be in peak physical shape, given that the major European leagues will only be a few months old.

There would be no more excuses for England being burnt out before a tournament.

Of course, some of this is in jest but such things may as well be considered now FIFA have made up their minds.