Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter stated that England should have been awarded hosting rights for the World Cup before Saudi Arabia, which won the 2034 edition. Blatter criticized the decision-making process and expressed concerns about the increasing influence of the Middle East in sports and the expansion of the tournament. He urged England to apply for future hosting rights, highlighting the potential dilution of World Cup quality due to growing team numbers.

England should have secured the hosting rights for a future FIFA World Cup before Saudi Arabia, according to former FIFA President Sepp Blatter. In an interview, Blatter emphasized that England has made significant contributions to football and deserves to be rewarded, highlighting their consistent attempts since 1966 to host the tournament again. He noted that the decision-making process that led to Saudi Arabia being awarded the 2034 World Cup was orchestrated in a manner that minimized opposition.

FIFA officially granted Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup hosting rights in December, during a process that faced no competitors. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will co-host the 2030 tournament, which has drawn criticism from climate activists due to the necessary travel across three continents. Concerns have also been raised regarding Saudi Arabia’s plans for the 2034 edition, including its extreme climate and the country’s human rights record, drawing parallels to issues faced during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which Saudi Arabia denies.

In conclusion, Sepp Blatter contends that England qualifies rightfully for World Cup hosting before Saudi Arabia due to their historic contributions to football. He expressed concerns regarding FIFA’s growing reliance on Middle Eastern nations and warned against the ongoing expansion of the tournament, which may affect its quality. Ultimately, Blatter encourages England to pursue hosting the event once again, reinforcing their enduring legacy in the sport.

Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com