Sepp Blatter, who headed FIFA when the organisation selected Qatar to host the upcoming World Cup, now admits the choice was a "mistake".
Blatter has made the comments in an interview with Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger.
The World Cup begins later this month in Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country to host the global event.
"Qatar is a mistake," Blatter told the newspaper. "The choice was bad."
Qatar has been panned for lacking enough infrastructure, as well as allegations of corruption, human rights violations and poor working conditions.
"It is too small of a country," Blatter said. "Football and the World Cup are too big for it."
Qatar is less than five percent the size of New Zealand in square kilometres and has fewer than 3 million residents.
Blatter's 17-year reign as FIFA president ended in 2015, when he abruptly resigned, amid myriad corruption scandals. He is banned from participating in FIFA activities until 2027.
He was cleared of fraud by a Swiss court in June, although prosecutors have appealed the ruling.
Reuters
