Qatar beats out USA to host 2022 World Cup | Page 3

StOnEy333 · 2010-12-02T09:37:17-08:00

A nation smaller than the state of Connecticut, that battles 130 degree heat, will host the worlds largest sporting event. ZURICH -- The tiny desert nation of Qatar beat out the United States as the 2022 World Cup host, with FIFA brushing aside doubts about blistering heat to bring soccer's showcase event for the first time to the Middle East. The 22 voters on FIFA's executive committee, some accused of corruption in the weeks leading up to their meeting, picked Russia to stage the 2018 tournament, another first-time host. Qatar, an oil-rich nation that has been independent since 1971, has a population of about 1.7 million -- 500,000 less than Houston. At 4,416 square miles, it is smaller than Connecticut. "We go to new lands," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said. Qatar, which has promised to overcome heat of up to 130 degrees with air conditioned outdoor stadiums, won out over the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea in a secret vote Thursday. The U.S. Soccer Federation, which spent millions of dollars on its bid and brought over former President Bill Clinton for its closing presentation, was hoping to bring the World Cup back to America for the first time since 1994 and boost the steady but slow growth of the sport in the U.S. Russia was chosen over England and joint bids by Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium. "We cannot really express how happy we are," said Alexey Sorokin, CEO of Russia's bid. "It's a great victory." Following corruption allegations that led to two executive committee members being excluded from the final votes, the decisions were bound to be controversial even before they were made. And American sports executives will now be left to wonder what they have do to host another major international event. "Basically, oil and natural gas won today. This was not about merit, this was about money," former U.S. national team star Eric Wynalda said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. Qatar "is a country that is really going to struggle to host this event. A successful World Cup would mean the attendance would be twice the population." Qatar, which has never even qualified for a World Cup, used its 30-minute presentation to underline how the tournament could unify a region ravaged by conflict. Presenters also promised to dismantle the stadiums built for the tournament and give them to needy nations. Link to story

Dec 2, 2010 at 5:39 PM

#31

DominantQE
Member
Posts: 252

>Qatar, which has never even qualified for a World Cup

They are currently ranked below 100, lower than S.Africa and they will be a seeded country at the group stage with top 7 countries in the world.

Dec 2, 2010 at 5:42 PM

#32

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by DominantQE:
>Qatar, which has never even qualified for a World Cup

They are currently ranked below 100, lower than S.Africa and they will be a seeded country at the group stage with top 7 countries in the world.

More people live in Houston than Qatar.

Dec 2, 2010 at 7:28 PM

#33

LAFortyNinerfan
Veteran
Posts: 3,644

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
WTF is a world cup?

It's that thing the USA thinks the Super Bowl is. The biggest sporting event in the world.

You know that we only care about what matters to us. I'm not even saying that to be sarcastic. I'm one of the many Americans who couldn't care less about the world cup. That's why I can understand why they wouldn't go with us, but I am really curious as to how they'll sufficiently air condition those stadiums and handle the congestion from the visitors.

Dec 2, 2010 at 9:50 PM

#34

NickV
Veteran
Posts: 13,574

I was kinda hoping England or Portugal/Spain would win. Because I would have definitely gone to see a game there.

I'm already planning my trip to Brasil for 2014.

I'm not sure how the whole quatar thing is gonna work out. Seems like its gonna be a major flop similar to how SA was.

Dec 2, 2010 at 10:35 PM

#35

TonyStarks
Veteran
Posts: 63,018

What bullsh*t.

Fifa just doesn't want the U.S. to succeed in anything mens ' soccer.

Dec 2, 2010 at 11:26 PM

#36

vrabbit
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Posts: 35,953

Originally posted by DominantQE:
>Qatar, which has never even qualified for a World Cup

They are currently ranked below 100, lower than S.Africa and they will be a seeded country at the group stage with top 7 countries in the world.

now HERE is a point people should really be upset about

Dec 3, 2010 at 3:01 AM

#37

Niners99
Veteran
Posts: 44,291

lol i love how many people are pretending to care about this. its simply a turn your head at the TV and listen for 15 secs, say "well thats retarded and it makes no sense", and go on with your day.

Americans dont even care about soccer. we have a ton of better sports to care about. not getting to host it means nothing. we just get greedy to have everything in our spotlight. even if we hosted nobody would care because we suck at soccer. they cover American soccer like were the special kid. "the US might win more than 1 qualifier this time!"

the country they picked didnt make sense, but at least its in a country that cares about the sport. we all know they wont be able to get all those air conditioned stadiums built by then anyways.

[ Edited by Niners99 on Dec 3, 2010 at 03:03:55 ]

Dec 3, 2010 at 8:38 AM

#38

1251alex
Veteran
Posts: 11,460

Originally posted by Niners99:
lol i love how many people are pretending to care about this. its simply a turn your head at the TV and listen for 15 secs, say "well thats retarded and it makes no sense", and go on with your day.

Americans dont even care about soccer. 1.we have a ton of better sports to care about. (2)not getting to host it means nothing. we just get greedy to have everything in our spotlight. 3.even if we hosted nobody would care because we suck at soccer. they cover American soccer like were the special kid.4 "the US might win more than 1 qualifier this time!"

the country they picked didnt make sense, but at least its in a country that cares about the sport. 5.we all know they wont be able to get all those air conditioned stadiums built by then anyways.

1. that's an opinion.
2. But getting to host it means everything. do your research.
3. Where have you been the last 10 years? The U.S. has a legitimate team with many players in Europe. They didn't face Brazil in the 2009 Confederations Cup final for nothing(eliminating the eventual World Cup winner in Spain eventually and current Euro champion in the process).
4.all you need to do is win one qualifying stage to compete in the World Cup in the CONCACAF region so I don't see what the problem is.
5. Am I mistaken or isn't Qatar an oil exporting country? Yeah, im sure they won't be able to build the stadiums by then.

Dec 3, 2010 at 8:49 AM

#39

blunt_probe
Veteran
Posts: 21,313

I don't care, nor does it matter. How many of you were going to go if it was in the US? The sport is not popular here, so might as well let a country that cares host it even if it is a desert.

Dec 3, 2010 at 8:59 AM

#40

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by blunt_probe:
I don't care, nor does it matter. How many of you were going to go if it was in the US? The sport is not popular here, so might as well let a country that cares host it even if it is a desert.

Dec 3, 2010 at 9:01 AM

#41

blunt_probe
Veteran
Posts: 21,313

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by blunt_probe:
I don't care, nor does it matter. How many of you were going to go if it was in the US? The sport is not popular here, so might as well let a country that cares host it even if it is a desert.

I'll save my time, and use your own words.

Originally posted by StOnEy333:

Humor fail. Nice try, though. Not really

Kthanksbye

Dec 3, 2010 at 9:01 AM

#42

boast
Hella Fame
Posts: 156,357

at this rate, the US (as we know it) won't exist in 2022.

Dec 3, 2010 at 9:17 AM

#43

sincalfaithful
Veteran
Posts: 27,712

Originally posted by boast:
at this rate, the US (as we know it) won't exist in 2022.

you don't like chinese food?

Dec 3, 2010 at 12:29 PM

#44

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by blunt_probe:
Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by blunt_probe:
I don't care, nor does it matter. How many of you were going to go if it was in the US? The sport is not popular here, so might as well let a country that cares host it even if it is a desert.

I'll save my time, and use your own words.

Originally posted by StOnEy333:

Humor fail. Nice try, though. Not really

Kthanksbye

But your post was pure nonsense. Not only have I played/ watched soccer for over 30 years, I indeed was planning on going to games if we were awarded the tournament. I went to multiple games back in 94, and was on the field for the brazil/USA game at Stanford.

Not only was your post laughable, your reapplication of my post really isnt fitting here. You should try to come up with some material of your own, since you have issues using other peoples.

Dec 3, 2010 at 12:34 PM

#45

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

A guy on Espn made a good point, earlier. Qatar practices extreme Muslim religious beliefs. That means no alcohol, and woman are expected to dress in traditional modesty outfits. That means no hot chicks wearing bikini tops and things of the like. Both of these circumstances are going to give many many visiting fans problems.

How are you going to tell the English and Germans (among others) that there will be no drinking while they are in the country?