Sepp Blatter: FIFA made mistake awarding 2022 World Cup to Qatar FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted the governing body's decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a mistake. Qatar's suitability as hosts has been scrutinised and debated since they won the right to stage the tournament
after beating off competition from the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan.
Concerns have been raised over the infrastructure in the tiny Gulf state, as well as rights for migrant workers and searing temperatures during the summer months. And, speaking to reporters from Swiss TV station RTS in Lausanne, Blatter has conceded that, in hindsight, awarding the showpiece event to Qatar was an error.
"Yes of course, you know everyone makes mistakes in life," he told reporters when asked if it was a mistake choosing Qatar due to high temperatures in the summer months. "The technical report into Qatar said clearly it was too hot but the executive committee - with a large majority - decided all the same to play it in Qatar."
The time of year that the tournament will take place has yet to be decided but Blatter added that
there was a high probability that the tournament would take place during the winter. The 78-year-old also shot down suggestions that Qatar had "bought" the World Cup.
"No, I have never said it was bought, but that it was due to political considerations," he said.
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