Disgraced former International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) president Sepp Blatter is back, and this time he’s upset that England hasn’t hosted the World Cup since 1966.
But let’s be real, what he’s really mad about is that Saudi Arabia, not him, is calling the shots now.
In an interview carried by Reuters on 25 February, the 88-year-old claimed that England “should have had it before Saudi Arabia,” which is set to host the 2034 edition.
“England has done a great job for the game of football and they should be rewarded,” said Blatter.
Yes, the same Blatter who was in charge when Russia and Qatar secured back-to-back World Cups in 2018 and 2022 now suddenly has an issue with how host nations are selected.
England will have to wait until at least 2038 for another chance, but Blatter seems more bothered that the Middle East is now running the show.
The Middle East has significantly increased its influence in sports like football and Formula One through substantial investments by countries in the region.
FIFA awarded the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia in an uncontested process with the formal selection announced in December 2024.
The association also decided to split the 2030 World Cup between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, plus a handful of one-off matches in South America.
The 2030 plan has already drawn criticism from climate activists due to the massive carbon footprint of playing across three continents.
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid has also faced scrutiny over its desert climate and human rights record, echoing concerns that surrounded Qatar 2022.
However, Saudi Arabia denies suppressing rights.
The ex-FIFA boss also used the opportunity to complain about the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams starting in 2026, warning it will dilute the quality.
“It’s become too big. Will it become like in grand slam tennis where everybody goes to the World Cup? What next – 128 teams?” he said.
This, from the man who never had a problem with football’s rapid commercialisation when it benefited him.
Blatter, who stepped down in disgrace in 2015 after a massive corruption scandal, now warns that football’s obsession with growth could backfire.
“But one day there will be a stop – you cannot go and develop more football, and more players and have more money and more spectators and more stadiums,” said the Swiss.
Yeah, Sepp, there was a stop – when you were pushed out.
MAIN PHOTO: AP