England has seen its odds of hosting the 2022 World Cup tumble after Michel Platini was arrested in France on Tuesday morning.

Former UEFA president Platini is being questioned by French anti-corruption officials over how Qatar was awarded their hosting rights.

Qatar is due to host the Soccer World Cup in three years’ time but there is an investigation into how they won their bid back in 2010.

There is controversy over the bidding process, with allegations of corruption, as well as concerns over the time of year the tournament will be hosted, allegations of slavery in the Gulf state and the fact homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.

Platini was UEFA president at the time of the World Cup bids, and his arrest is said to be in relation to the bidding process.

England Hosting Odds Drop

England bid for the right to host the 2018 World Cup and missed out to Russia. The FA are open to staging the 2022 competition if Qatar lose their hosting rights.

And Coral have slashed their odds on England hosting the 2022 World Cup from 10/1 (+1000) to 6/1 (+600) in light of events in France on Tuesday.

“If a new host is required, England are likely to be one of the favourites as they are one of the few countries who could hold the tournament at short notice with their infrastructure and transport,” Coral spokesperson John Hill told the Daily Star.

America would also likely put their name forward to host the tournament at short notice, although the US has already won the rights to host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.

Who Else Could Stage WC 2022?

Platini was banned from football in 2015 for four years due to ethics breaches.

His arrest this week is the latest development in a series of twists regarding the next World Cup hosts’ methods during the bidding process for the 2022 tournament.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia all made bids for the right to host the tournament, with all four countries arguably boasting greater infrastructure and fan-friendly environments compared to Qatar.

There are allegations of corruption surrounding the Qatari bid, which eventually beat the USA’s efforts by 14 votes to eight. Prosecutors are investigating suspected corruption and bribery.

However, FIFA cleared Qatar of any wrongdoing following a two-year inquiry.