World Cup 2022: Premier League and Championship could stop just nine days before tournament in Qatar

It has been reported that the top flight could resume on Boxing Day 2022

The Premier League and Championship seasons could stop just nine days before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins.

It is understood that a draft calendar proposes the last round of top-tier matches would take place on November 12, with the tournament starting on November 21.

The World Cup final will take place in Doha on December 18.

No dates have yet been confirmed, with Premier League clubs understood to be looking at the scheduling issue at their next shareholders' meeting on November 14.

It has been reported that the top flight could resume on Boxing Day 2022, but it is understood that there may be a shorter break in the Championship.

If Premier League fixtures did resume for the Christmas period, it would mean a very short lay-off for any players involved in the latter stages of the World Cup.

Clubs and national associations will also need to come to an agreement over player release dates for World Cup training camps with domestic fixtures due to be played just over a week before the finals begin.

League One and Two are set to continue as normal during the finals.

The mid-season player break, which comes into effect for the first time this season, is set to be scrapped for the 2022-23 campaign while the season may begin early and finish late as a result of the mid-season World Cup, but the calendar remains a work in progress at this stage.

PA