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"I think that England, or the islands, they
deserve to organize the World Cup," Blatter, in Russia to attend
the World Cup as a guest of President Vladimir Putin, told Sky
Sports.
"They had it in 1966 so it's a long time ago. (I was told that)
it could be with Wales and Scotland together but I said why not
Ireland altogether?
"With 48 teams you need more than one country to host it."
England bid for this year's tournament but lost out to Russia
despite being one of the favorites.
Blatter, who led soccer's world governing body for 17 years, is
serving a six-year ban for unethical conduct after FIFA was
rocked by a global corruption scandal in 2015.
The ban on Blatter from "all football activities" was imposed
shortly after the Swiss attorney general's office began criminal
proceedings against him on suspicion of criminal mismanagement
and misappropriation.
No charges have yet been brought and Blatter has repeatedly
denied any wrongdoing.
His appearance at the World Cup in Russia is potentially
embarrassing for FIFA and its new head, Gianni Infantino, who
has promised to clean up the organization.
However, Blatter pointed out that the new 'one person one vote'
ballot system that resulted in the U.S., Canada and Mexico being
chosen as joint hosts for the 2026 World Cup on the eve of this
year's finals was one of his legacies.
The vote for the 2018 World Cup and the 2022 tournament, which
will be played in Qatar, was made by the former executive
committee, several members of which were later banned for life
from the sport after they were caught up in the FIFA scandal.
"This is what I introduced in 2011," said Blatter. "But the
elections should be made by secret ballot, this is also in the
statutes of FIFA and the regulations and you should not announce
who votes for whom."
The result of each ballot and related votes by members of the
FIFA Congress for the 2026 hosts were made public.
Swiss Blatter, who was suspended in 2015, also said he felt
'abandoned' by FIFA and that he should have stepped aside
earlier.
"I should have stopped after the 2014 World Cup which was a
wonderful World Cup," he said. "I went for re-election again but
I would have preferred to have had a better departure in 2014."
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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