Sepp Blatter was the former President of FIFA but was forced to resign as a result of corruption cases. (Image: AFP)
The former President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter has criticised the decision of FIFA to host the 2030 World Cup in six countries.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has criticised the decision by world soccer’s governing body to hold the World Cup in six countries across three continents.
• Morocco , Portugal and Spain bid is the sole candidate to host 2030 @FIFAWorldCup.• Centenary celebration and celebratory games to take place in Uruguay , Argentina and Paraguay .
• Member associations from AFC and OFC invited to bid for the 2034 edition. pic.twitter.com/vr2zXTn44m
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) October 4, 2023
Morocco, Spain and Portugal were named hosts of the 2030 tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will also host the opening matches to mark the tournament’s centenary, FIFA said in a surprise announcement on Wednesday.
The decision was criticised by Sepp Blatter, who was FIFA President from 1998 to 2015, before being forced out after a corruption investigation.
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“It is absurd to tear the tournament apart in this way,” Blatter told Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick.
“The World Cup finals must be a compact event,” he said, adding this was important for the identity of the event, for the organisation and for visitors.
Blatter, once one of soccer’s most powerful figures, has previously criticised FIFA for awarding the 2022 tournament to Qatar, saying the Middle East country was too small.
The 87-year-old said the 2030 tournament should take place in South America, marking the 100th anniversary of the first event which was hosted and won by Uruguay.
“For historical reasons, the 2030 World Cup should have belonged exclusively in South America,” he told the newspaper.
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The last time the World Cup was hosted by a South American nation was back in 2014 when Germany defeated Argentina to win their fourth World Cup with a goal from substitute, Mario Gotze to win their fourth World Cup.
The latest World Cup in 2022, which was hosted by Qatar was won by Argentina making it 20 years since a South American nation managed to win football’s prestigious trophy.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Reuters)