Football fans will have to adjust to more than just the sweltering desert heat when the 2022 World Cup event goes to the Middle East.



Fifa President Sepp Blatter says gay supporters should not have sex in Qatar, with homosexuality banned in the Gulf State.



Asked whether gays and lesbians should worry about attending the tournament because of the Middle Eastern country's hostile attitude towards homosexuality, Blatter quipped: "They should refrain from any sexual activities."



But Blatter hopes there will be an "opening" of the Islamic culture for World Cup.



"It's another culture and another religion, but in football we have no boundaries," Blatter said from Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa overnight for the official closing of the 2010 World Cup.



"We open everything to everybody and I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings, being on this side or that side, left or right or whatever.



"Football is a game that does not affect any discrimination. You may be assured ... if people want to watch a match in Qatar in 2022, they will be admitted to matches."



Having praised South Africa's tournament as an example of the success a first-time host can achieve, Blatter added he thought there was "too much concern" for the World Cup in Qatar.



Fifa has faced criticism for choosing Russia and Qatar over more traditional footballing countries on December 2, a vote that took place without two members of the executive committee who were suspended for allegedly agreeing to take money for their support.



In his first public address since the vote, Blatter defended FIFA's choices.



"We go to Eastern Europe, to Russia where the World Cup has never been. And later on, we go to the Middle East, we go to the Arabic world, we go to the Islamic world," Blatter said.



"This is the development of football and don't speak about money. This has nothing to do with money, as it had nothing to do with money here in Africa. It has to do with the development of the game," he said, bringing his fist down on a podium for emphasis.



Blatter also announced a $US100 million ($101.8 million) legacy fund for South Africa. He said $US20 million had already been used to build a new South African Football Association headquarters and for part of the organising of the competition, but promised the remainder would go to "social and community projects".



Fifa earned an estimated $US3.5 billion from this year's World Cup.

-with AP