FIFA has confirmed that it will make a decision on when to stage the 2022 Qatar World Cup at the start of next year.
Figures from around the world of football have called for the tournament to be moved to winter amid fears over searing summer temperatures in the Arab state.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced last year that a task force would be set up to discuss whether the World Cup should be switched to the cooler months of November and December.
Following a meeting on Monday, world football's governing body revealed that talks over the tournament's future are ongoing.
"This is the first meeting and there will be future meetings on this matter," Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa is quoted as saying by The Guardian.
"As the FIFA executive committee has emphasised, the consultation process should not be rushed but instead be given the necessary time to consider all of the elements relevant for a decision. We have made progress at today's meeting and will continue to work together to find the best solution for football."
FIFA's task force is due to meet again in November, ahead of more discussions in February 2015.
Jack Prescott
