Awarding the 2022 soccer World Cup to Qatar was a "mistake" and the tournament will may have to be held in the winter because of the heat, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said.

"Of course, it was a mistake. You know, one comes across a lot of mistakes in life," he said during an interview with Swiss television station RTS.

Asked whether the World Cup was likely to be held in the European winter, Blatter replied: "It's probable, yes. In fact, it's more than probable."

FIFA later issued a "media advisory" noting that Blatter was in no way questioning whether the tournament would be held in Qatar.