Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has slammed the plan to hold the 2030 World Cup across six countries as 'absurd'.
This week, the global footballing body confirmed that they intend to hold the World Cup in just under seven years time across three different continents, to mark the centenary of the first edition of the tournament.
But Blatter, who was in charge of FIFA from 1998 until 2015, criticised the move by current FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The 87-year-old administrator told Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick: 'It is absurd to tear the tournament apart in this way. The World Cup finals must be a compact event.'
In 1930, the first World Cup was hosted - and subsequently won - by Uruguay, and whilst the country has been selected to host one of the opening trio of matches, Blatter believes the continent should be hosting all the matches.
'For historical reasons, the 2030 World Cup should have belonged exclusively in South America', Blatter said.
In recent years, Blatter has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons for his involvement in one of football's most infamous corruption scandals during his time as FIFA president.
In 2015, Blatter and former UEFA chief Michel Platini were both banned from football for eight years over claims the former had unlawfully paid the Frenchman £1.7million back in 2011.
The bans were later reduced - and last year the pair were cleared of corruption charges by a federal criminal court in Switzerland. Blatter had claimed the payment followed a 'gentleman's agreement' from when Platini was a technical advisor in 1998.
Since leaving FIFA, Blatter has spoken out about proposed changes to the World Cup, including the decision to expand it to 48 countries from the 2026 World Cup onwards.
Alongside Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the opening games of the 2030 World Cup, before the action switches to Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
All six host countries will qualify automatically for the 48-team tournament, with South America’s allocation of automatic qualifiers set to be cut down.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco were the favourites to host in 2030 since announcing their joint bid earlier this year, but Uruguay and Argentina wanted to mark the centenary of the first World Cup final between the two nations 93 years ago.
In an unprecedented move, FIFA have explained the bidding process for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups with a question and answer session.
Mail Sport's Nick Harris previously reported that it was a 'done deal' that the 2034 World Cup would be heading to Saudi Arabia, as FIFA confirmed it would have to be held in either Asia or Oceania.
muebdilsu
0
Listen to all these absurdities European stand with their big mouth n deluded all the way ...always dictating like the old days ..funny but i smell pure corruption with a bet of enormous money on a plate under the table.. Like people say u xabt fake originally.. The 1st workd cup was played in the south America n uruguay beat argentina n won it by 4-2..so how can this president who see only money as a survival think that the fan will fly to 6 different countries..rubbish absurd n disgusting..Just to remind u that the European players are outdated n full of ego's..it the south American Era..so stop that ongoing comedy let's these 3 country in the south host it like it should be SHAME FIFA SHAME UEFA N SHAME SHAME THIEVES N ROBBERS OF THE VALUE OF THE WORLD CUP DYNASTY Aks..🇲🇺
futaekorsy
0
corrupt EPLhe said the truth,which is bitter
Android 17
1
Giving qatar the world cup due to financial gain is more absurd.
Yet the Qatar world cup was the best
Android 17
0
European countries are broke and no one of them can single handedly host the WC but they don't want other continent hosting it
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Miwbdinpsz
0
The hypocrites made sure he is made to lose credibility
Mitchello2
0
European countries are broke and no one of them can single handedly host the WC but they don't want other continent hosting it
Mupdekz
0
🐻❄️🐻❄️🧐Blatter belongs to the old order of world football where elitism was the bye word. in this dispensation, every nation will get to have a feel of the global event once you are part of the football fraternity. So let Blatter allow the predecessors to work.
Rocdeilnt
0
Nuts
DennIsra
3
it's Absurd, I agree
Citizens721
1
Give him money he will shut his mouth😂😂
Carama
3
me too, two countries at most
Zibcdnptyz
4
Giving qatar the world cup due to financial gain is more absurd.