Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who was in charge in 2010 when Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup hosting rights, has agreed with critics that it was the wrong decision.
He told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger today that “Qatar is a mistake,” adding that “the choice was bad.”
The decision to award the tournament hosting rights to Qatar has been marred by severe criticism and controversy, including allegations of corruption and human rights violations.
Blatter, 86, was FIFA president for 17 years, and he has also been embroiled in accusations of corruption during his tenure.
He was cleared of fraud by a Swiss court in June but the prosecutors have appealed the verdict.
“It is too small of a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for it,” Blatter said of Qatar, which will become the first country in the Middle East to host the tournament.
Blatter explained that in 2012, FIFA amended the criteria it used to select host countries due to concerns over the working conditions at World Cup stadium construction sites in Qatar.
“Since then, social considerations and human rights are taken into account,” he added.
The tournament will be held from November 20 to December 18 across five cities in Qatar, with 32 teams participating.
