Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham face nightmare scenario over World Cup 2022 fixture changes

The Premier League have drawn up plans that would see matches taking place nine days before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar starts.

The return to action following the competition would take place on Boxing Day just eight days after the final, according to the Daily Mail.

There will be no winter break during the 2021/22 season as well after the Premier League decided to bring it in for the first time this term.

The plans will see the Premier League campaign begin a week earlier and finish a week later to account for the disruption of the World Cup.

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This all raises the potential of stand-offs between countries and clubs over the availability of players for training ahead of the World Cup, and player welfare issues due to the short turnaround between the end of the tournament and the potential return to domestic action.

Premier League teams have reportedly been made aware of the proposals, and the reaction is said to have been positive - though the league is yet to comment on the matter after a request was made.

The 2022 World Cup has been switched to winter due to the intense temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius that would occur in Qatar during the summer.

UEFA has previously confirmed that any decisions in regards to the scheduling of European competition will not be made until 2021.