ZURICH, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticized the world soccer governing body’s decision to host the World Cup in six countries on three continents.
Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been selected to host the 2030 tournament, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay also hosting opening matches to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary, FIFA announced in a surprise announcement on Wednesday.
The decision was criticized by Sepp Blatter, who served as FIFA president from 1998 to 2015 but was forced to resign following a corruption investigation.
“It’s ridiculous to tear up the tournament like this,” Blatter told Swiss newspaper Sontagsblick.
“The World Cup final has to be a compact event,” he said, adding that this was important for the event’s identity, organization and audience.
Blatter, once one of soccer’s most powerful figures, previously criticized FIFA for awarding Qatar the 2022 tournament, saying the Middle Eastern country was too small.
The 87-year-old said the 2030 Games should be held in South America to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first edition, which Uruguay hosted and won.
“For historical reasons, the 2030 World Cup should have been held only in South America,” he told the newspaper.
Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle
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