(MENAFN- QNA) FIFA President Sepp Blatter has reiterated the world's football governing body stance that the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be held in Russia and Qatar respectively.
Speaking in a recorded interview with the U.K.'s Daily Mail that was shown on the sidelines of the opening of Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, Blatter said awarding the 2022 World to Qatar "was a democratic decision by a secret ballot," adding that "a small country can deliver a World Cup."
On the timing of the tournament and whether to move it to the winter, Blatter said the organization and the game's stakeholders are discussing the issue during this week in relation to possible rescheduling of European league competitions. "Now we bring them together and will identify what is the best possible solution and when is the best moment to play, but that decision is not yet taken. Definitely not."
Meanwhile, Blatter revealed that he would contest the FIFA presidency when vote takes place next year as he seeks a fifth term in charge. The Swiss official was elected to FIFA's top post in 1998 but has been the subject of severe criticism from some European football officials in recent months.
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