Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched a scathing attack on his old organization, claiming Saudi Arabia’s football takeover has gone unchallenged. His remarks follow FIFA’s uncontested awarding of the 2034 World Cup to the Gulf nation last December.
Blatter, 89, accused FIFA of rolling out the red carpet for Saudi influence. “We offered football to Saudi Arabia, and they took it,” he told German broadcaster ntv. “Surprisingly, FIFA raised no objections.”
Therefore, the criticism comes as Saudi Arabia expands its football empire. In 2023, its Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired four Saudi Pro League clubs—Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad. PIF also owns 85% of Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, FIFA’s $1 billion Club World Cup deal with DAZN—part-owned by PIF’s sports arm SURJ—cements Saudi Arabia’s growing control over the sport’s finances.
Blatter didn’t spare his successor, Gianni Infantino. “Everything is electronic now, and nobody speaks up,” he said, referencing delayed FIFA meetings. In May, Infantino arrived six hours late to a Congress in Paraguay after visiting Saudi Arabia with Donald Trump.
The Swiss also slammed FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup, held in the U.S. this summer. “There’s too much football,” he said. “Players get no rest.”
Extreme heat at the tournament has drawn backlash, with FIFPRO demanding later kickoffs. Blatter called midday games “unhealthy,” though FIFA prioritizes European and Asian TV slots.
Blatter’s own FIFA tenure was marred by scandals, including corruption probes and Qatar’s controversial 2022 World Cup bid—which he later called “a mistake.” In March 2025, he and Michel Platini were cleared of financial misconduct in a Swiss court.
Yet his latest remarks highlight unease over Saudi Arabia’s football takeover. With Aramco, Riyadh Air, and Visit Saudi splashed across major tournaments, critics argue the sport is becoming a geopolitical tool.
As Saudi Arabia prepares for 2034, scrutiny will only intensify. Will FIFA address concerns over sportswashing, or has Saudi Arabia’s football takeover already reached a point of no return? For Blatter, the answer is clear: “Football is no longer ours.”
