PARIS, Oct 13 — Players from the European leagues will only be released to their national team a week before the start of the 2022 World Cup, French sports daily L'Equipe reported on Tuesday.

L'Equipe is citing a letter sent by European governing body Uefa to the 55 national federations in Europe.

It says that the players will be freed from club duties on Nov. 14, 2022.

The World Cup is usually held during the northern hemisphere summer, when most of the European leagues are in close season. However next year's edition in Qatar is being held from Nov. 21-Dec. 18 as the weather will be cooler in the host country.

Uefa declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. — Reuters