The Swiss was at the helm of the governing body when the two editions of the tournament were awarded back in December 2010.

Blatter, who is currently serving a six-year ban from all footballing activity for a series of ethics breaches, was interviewed in Switzerland last week as a "witness".

According to Le Monde, the probe, initiated by the Parquet National Financier (PNF), is looking into private corruption, conspiracy, trading in influence and concealment of influence peddling.

The French Newspaper claims the investigation has been ongoing since last year.

Former UEFA President Michel Platini, who has also been banned for six years, has not been questioned.

The revelations mean the bid processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, due to be held in Russia and Qatar respectively, are now being investigated in three different countries.

The two World Cups are also the subject of enquiries in Switzerland and in the United States, who criminal investigation into widespread corruption within FIFA has so far seen over 40 officials and companies indicted.

Last month, FIFA submitted reports consisting of over 1,300 pages alongside 20,000 exhibits to the Swiss Attorney General after they concluded their 22-month internal investigation into alleged wrongdoing.

In 2015, Attorney General Michael Lauber opened criminal proceedings against Blatter for his "disloyal" CHF2 million (£1.6 million/$2 million/€1.9 million) payment to ex-UEFA head Michel Platini.

Blatter has always insisted he is innocent of wrongdoing.

"I have had very little contact from my American lawyers because I was never a person of interest under scrutiny by the American justice," he said last week.

"I have been investigated in two or three matters, but there is no wrongdoing."

Former secretary general Jérôme Valcke, who is French, is also under investigation on suspicion of offences including criminal mismanagement.