Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter said that England, or a joint U.K. and Ireland bid, "would deserve to host the 2030 World Cup," according to SKY SPORTS. Blatter thinks England and the Home Nations "will be strong candidates." England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup failed, "receiving just two votes in the opening round of voting" in '10 as the tournament was awarded to Russia. Speaking at the tournament in Russia, where he is a guest of President Vladimir Putin, Blatter said, "I think that England deserve to organize the World Cup. They have had it in 1966 so it is a long time ago. With Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland they will be candidates I am sure. With 48 teams [in a World Cup], you need more than one country [to host]." Blatter was also "highly critical of the bidding process" for the 2026 World Cup -- awarded to the joint bid from the U.S., Canada and Mexico -- in which "each nation's choice was made public for the first time." Blatter: "Elections should be made by secret ballot, this is in the statute of FIFA and in the regulations. you should not announce who votes for who" (SKY SPORTS, 6/20). REUTERS' Christian Lowe reported Blatter said that he felt the ongoing World Cup was a little bit like "my World Cup" because he had been "so well received" on his visit (REUTERS, 6/20).
