FIFA President Sepp Blatter has admitted that FIFA made a mistake by awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Speaking to Swiss broadcaster RTS, Blatter conceded that the decision to hold the finals in the Gulf state may not have been the soundest - solely on the basis of the high summer temperatures in the region.
He said:
Yes of course, you know everyone makes mistakes in life.
The technical report into Qatar said clearly it was too hot but the executive committee - with a large majority - decided all the same to play it in Qatar.
Even with that act of astounding wisdom on the part of the executive committee, he still refuted the suggestion that the Qataris bought the hosting rights to the tournament.
No, I have never said it was bought, but that it was due to political considerations.
The time of year that the tournament will take place has yet to be decided, but FIFA have not ruled out a winter tournament. Qatar's average daytime high temperature in January is a bracing 22 degrees Celsius, as opposed to 40 degrees in June.
