Doha friendly risks ire of clubs

London: England risk angering Premier League clubs by taking part in a friendly against Brazil in the Qatar capital Doha in November.

The Football Association (FA) was unable to comment with England's qualification for the 2010 World Cup yet to be confirmed, but the Guardian understands that a lucrative match against Brazil has been discussed, and would be played between November 14 and 18.

Those dates would coincide with the World Cup qualifying play-off matches for second-placed teams - Fabio Capello's side could win Group 6 in their next game, Croatia at Wembley on September 9.

That would leave dead rubbers against Ukraine and Belarus during October, but the plan to add another match to an already crowded calendar is likely to vex the Premier League's managers.

England are to play friendlies against Holland in August and Slovenia during September, and if the meeting with Brazil goes ahead, the number of games for the season would sail into double figures. Further concerns will be raised about the wisdom of agreeing to play in a country where, even in one of the cooler times of the year, temperatures rise above 30C. It is also a seven-hour flight away.

That is unlikely to deter the FA from contesting the game in return for a share of the considerable fee and a chance to market England in a wealthy area where demand for football is huge.

While the ruling body will justify the Doha fixture as a World Cup warm-up, the game clearly promises a tempting financial incentive.