Blatter has previously been cautious about commenting on the disputed vote that led to Qatar's surprise hosting of the championships, which begin on November 20 in Doha.
In an interview with the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia, which several news agencies refer to, he is critical.
Blatter claims he himself wanted the US to win the World Cup in 2022, four years after Russia 2018. He says he himself voted for the US bid.
"Too small a country"
About Qatar he says:
- It is too small a country.
Soccer and the World Cup are too big for that.
Blatter believes that Michel Platini, then president of Uefa, had a decisive role when Qatar managed to get more votes than the United States in the decisive vote.
Platini succumbed to the pressure put on him by his countryman, then French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Sarkozy wanted Qatar to win the World Cup.
It would benefit French interests.
Platini and Sarkozy met in Paris a week before the vote on 2 December 2010. Also present at the meeting was the current emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
"Sarkozy never asked me to vote for Qatar"
"Blatter claims in the interview with Tamedia that in a telephone conversation with Platini after the meeting he made it clear that the Frenchman would support Qatar and try to get other voters with him.
- Thanks to the four votes from Platini and his (Uefa) team, the World Cup went to Qatar rather than the USA.
That is the truth, says Blatter.
Qatar won the vote 14–8.
Platini has previously confirmed that the meeting with Sarkozy was important for the outcome of the election.
In an interview with AP seven years ago, he said:
- Sarkozy never asked me to vote for Qatar, but I knew what would be good.
CUT: This is how Qatar has spread its name in the sports world
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This is how Qatar has spread its name in the sports world Photo: SVT