Blatter: England Deserved World Cup Hosting Before Saudi Arabia

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has stated that England should have been granted the hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup before Saudi Arabia, which is set to host the tournament in 2034. Speaking on Tuesday, Blatter expressed disappointment that England, despite its rich footballing history, has not hosted the World Cup since 1966.

Missed Opportunities for England

"England has done a great job for the game of football and they should be rewarded," Blatter told Reuters. "They have been trying to bring the World Cup back since 1966, and it's a shame they haven’t succeeded."

Blatter criticized the process by which Saudi Arabia secured the 2034 hosting rights, suggesting it was strategically arranged to eliminate any opposition.

"They should have had it before Saudi Arabia, but it was organized in a very clever way so nobody was in opposition," he remarked.

The decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia was made in December 2023 in an uncontested bidding process. Meanwhile, FIFA had already granted the 2030 edition to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with additional matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay—a move that has drawn criticism, particularly from climate activists concerned about the environmental impact of increased travel across three continents.

Criticism Over Saudi Arabia's Hosting

Saudi Arabia’s selection as host has sparked debates, with concerns raised over its desert climate and human rights record. The decision mirrors the controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which faced scrutiny for similar reasons. While Saudi Arabia denies allegations of human rights suppression, critics argue that awarding the tournament to the country contradicts FIFA’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness.

With 2034 secured, the next available World Cup slot is in 2038, leaving England with another long wait for a potential second opportunity to host the tournament.

Blatter Urges England to Try Again

Despite England’s past failures in bidding for the World Cup, Blatter encouraged the country to remain persistent.

"They should wake up and apply again," he said, urging the English Football Association to take another shot at securing the prestigious event.

Blatter also voiced concerns about the growing influence of Middle Eastern countries in global sports, particularly in football and Formula 1, both of which have seen significant investment from the region.

Concerns Over World Cup Expansion

In addition to hosting controversies, Blatter criticized FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, beginning with the 2026 edition in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

"It’s become too big," he said. "Will it become like Grand Slam tennis, where everybody goes to the World Cup? What next—128 teams?"

According to Blatter, the tournament’s increasing size is diminishing its quality.

"There are too many teams, and the standard is not the same. Who loses out? The spectators," he argued.

He warned that FIFA’s continuous expansion of the competition could eventually backfire.

"As long as football has 2 billion followers, FIFA believes they are happy. But one day, this will stop—you cannot keep expanding football, adding more teams, more money, more spectators, and more stadiums indefinitely."

A Changing Landscape in World Football

Blatter’s remarks highlight ongoing debates about football governance, commercial influence, and the integrity of the World Cup. With FIFA's decisions increasingly favoring financial gains over sporting merit, questions continue to be raised about the future direction of the world’s most popular tournament.