Gareth Barry: 'Let's be positive towards Qatar 2022 World Cup'

Former England international Gareth Barry has called on football to embrace the prospect of a winter World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA's task force this week recommended that the 2022 tournament be moved to November and December to avoid the soaring summer temperatures.

Everton midfielder Barry has experienced the conditions first hand and believes that not changing the dates would risk damaging the spectacle.

"I played a friendly in Qatar in really tough heat and the level of football wasn't there because of it," he told a Wednesday press conference.

"Let's be positive towards it and be excited about something different."

The Premier League are concerned over the proposed changes as it jeopardises their traditional festive fixtures.