London, June 5 (RHC)-- Britain has expressed its readiness to host 2022 World Cup if the world’s football governing body, FIFA, takes the venue away from Qatar. Cultural Secretary John Whittingdale made the announcement while answering ministerial questions in the House of Commons on Thursday. He, however, conceded that it is ‘very unlikely’ a European country would be chosen for the game.

Whittingdale also called for major change within FIFA following a decision by Sepp Blatter to step down as its president. “In order to achieve the reforms that all of us believe are vitally necessary for FIFA the first requirement is a change of leadership,” he said.

Blatter’s decision to resign as the FIFA chief came amid growing corruption allegations within the governing body and questions over the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 event to the tiny Persian Gulf state.

The 79-year-old Blatter was re-elected to a fifth term last Friday, two days after Swiss police arrested seven FIFA officials, including two vice-presidents, at a Zurich hotel.

The arrests were launched on behalf of U.S. prosecutors who accuse the seven, and eight other suspects, of involvement in $150 million of bribes. The U.S. move, however, drew angry reactions from both Blatter and the Russian president. They both slammed the U.S. for its interference in affairs which do not concern Washington.