WC should never have gone to Qatar: Lahm

Germany's former World Cup winning captain Philipp Lahm has said the award of this year's edition to Qatar was a mistake and called for a modification of the bidding process, reported dpa.

"In principle, I think it is indispensable that in future, when the World Cup is awarded, watertight criteria are laid down and then you stick to them," the 38-year-old told the German publishing group Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland on Monday.

"The selection procedure must be transparent."

And Lahm was highly critical when asked if Qatar should have been awarded the 2022 tournament back in 2010.

"No, it shouldn't have," it said. "If you look at the FIFA (world football governing body) evaluation report, it advised against it, among other things because of the human rights situation and sustainability.

"So of course you ask why they voted for Qatar anyway. I find that strange."

But a German boycott of the November 21-December 18 competition is not something he would consider. "I find it absolutely correct that we enter," said Lahm, who does not consider Hansi Flick's side among the favourites.

"We'll need to see if we can now manage to play right at the top," he said. "There's been good steps in the development that now have to be confirmed."

Lahm is tournament director of Euro 2024 which is being held in Germany.