FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that choosing Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup was a "mistake".

The decision was met with widespread criticism due to the extreme heat that players and spectators would be subjected to.

When asked by Swiss channel RTS if it was an error to make Qatar hosts, Blatter said: "Of course, it was a mistake. You know, one makes a lot of mistakes in life.

"The technical report indicated clearly that it was too hot in summer, but despite that the executive committee decided with quite a big majority that the tournament would be in Qatar."

This summer's World Cup in Brazil, which has been marred by construction issues, will get underway on June 12.