Blatter: 'England deserves World Cup'

England did put together a competitive bid for the 2018 tournament, but lost out to Russia after a bidding and voting process that has since been widely criticised after charges of corruption. 

Blatter, who was head of FIFA at the time, was forced to leave his post as president years later after he too was caught up in FIFA's growing corruption scandal. 

However, despite being banned from all footballing activities, he is in Russia as a guest of Vladimir Putin's and could attend games. 

"I think that England deserve to organise the World Cup. They have had it in 1966 so it is a long time ago," Blatter said to 'Sky Sports'. 

"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]."