World Cup 2018 and 2022: Site Selection

[NewYorkExpress]

How about December/January given half the major leagues... have a short winter break... for Qatar.

Then go back to June for Russia...

[Keystone Phil]

How about December/January given half the major leagues... have a short winter break... for Qatar.

Then go back to June for Russia...

You have it reversed. The 2022 World Cup is in Qatar. 2018 is in Russia.

Moving the games to January is a pain because of the Winter Olympics (which people apparently care about).

Eh, plenty of leagues are messed up when the World Cup is held in June: most of the Southern hemisphere leagues, the MLS, the Scandinavian leagues, etc. They seem to get by fine. Why are the Western European leagues unable to adapt to a winter world cup?

Next time, cite leagues that people actually follow if you want to make a good point.




(You have a point about the South American leagues but even they aren't that important. Please don't bring up MLS or Scandinavian leagues though.)

[Lief 🗽]

Why aren't they that important? They're as much a part of FIFA as the other leagues are.

[minionofmidas]

Why aren't they that important? They're as much a part of FIFA as the other leagues are.

They're not where the big $$$$$$$$ are.

And, let's face it, if anything beyond the big $$$$$$$$ were remotely relevant to this conversation, there wouldn't be any decision to host the World Cup in Qatar and thus no need to have this conversation.

[Keystone Phil]

Why aren't they that important? They're as much a part of FIFA as the other leagues are.

Sure, they're a part of FIFA but they're joke leagues. In the grand scheme, no one cares about them. Get out of here with your Seattle Sounders nonsense.

[Keystone Phil]

Blatter has admitted that awarding 2022 tournament to Qatar might have been a mistake.

There's still time to un-do it! Bring the World Cup to the U.S.!

[Хahar 🤔]

2022 is far enough off that there would still be time to move it just about anywhere, but yes, obviously the United States would be an excellent location.

[Keystone Phil]

2022 is far enough off that there would still be time to move it just about anywhere, but yes, obviously the United States would be an excellent location.

Yeah, I meant enough time to strip Qatar of the hosting rights. Obviously there is enough time to move it elsewhere but we're going to reach a point when removing it will be even more controversial considering all of the preparations that will soon (or already are) be under way in Qatar.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Other than bribery, what exactly does Qatar have going for it? It's unbearably hot, a repressive totalitarian regime, and not remotely known for football prowess.

[Keystone Phil]

Other than bribery, what exactly does Qatar have going for it? It's unbearably hot, a repressive totalitarian regime, and not remotely known for football prowess.

"HISTORY!!! BRINGING THE GAME TO 'NEW LANDS!'"

Those were the points in 2002 and 2010 and both tournaments sucked.

[Lief 🗽]

Uh 2010 was good? There's no reason why location would have an impact on the quality of on-field play anyway (other than weather, but the weather was normal in Japan/Korea and South Africa).

[Хahar 🤔]

I'd say that crowd noise significantly negatively affected the 2010 experience.

[Flake]

US and Aussie

[Keystone Phil]

Uh 2010 was good? There's no reason why location would have an impact on the quality of on-field play anyway (other than weather, but the weather was normal in Japan/Korea and South Africa).

No, it wasn't. The atmosphere sucked (that includes the weather, plenty of empty seat stadiums, annoying buzzing, etc.). The play sucked aside from, I'll grant you, Germany's exciting wins.

No one will fondly remember 2010 aside from the Spanish.

[Keystone Phil]

Blatter suggests that Iran could help co-host in 2022 - http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4563/main/2013/11/09/4394230/iran-could-help-qatar-host-2022-world-cup-blatter

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Can it just be hosted anywhere else? If it has to be in the AFC then just give it to the Australians or something?

[Keystone Phil]

Can it just be hosted anywhere else? If it has to be in the AFC then just give it to the Australians or something?

Aside from the brutal match times (which actually would be a pretty big deal unless I went to Australia), yeah, I'd prefer that. Not that it matters. FIFA is clearly not just sticking with Qatar but doubling down on the decision.

[minionofmidas]

Can it just be hosted anywhere else? If it has to be in the AFC then just give it to the Australians or something?

Aside from the brutal match times (which actually would be a pretty big deal unless I went to Australia), yeah, I'd prefer that. Not that it matters. FIFA is clearly not just sticking with Qatar but doubling down on the decision.

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Uh, what? Going senile? Or just courtesy talking?

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Yes. That is doubling down. No one outside FIFA's inner circle even wants that option on the table.

[Lief 🗽]

Blatter was opposed to Qatar in 2010 (Platini was the one pushing it) and is still opposed to it. Platini is Blatter's likely successor but they hate each other. Once you understand these two facts, then all of Blatter's actions make perfect sense.

[Keystone Phil]

Because they just had to have another "history" moment - World Cup will be held in November-December - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2535786/Its-winter-World-Cup-FIFA-confirm-2022-tournament-Qatar-played-November-January.html

Supposedly an official FIFA statement won't be made until after this year's tournament.

[Antonio the Sixth]

The choice of Qatar was one of the most disgusting travesties in the history of sports, for a myriad of reasons.

[Keystone Phil]

The choice of Qatar was one of the most disgusting travesties in the history of sports, for a myriad of reasons.

One of which being that the U.S. was denied the right to host when we unquestionably deserve it.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

UUUUUUUGH

Is FIFA really this out-of-touch? What's next, Fiji 2026?

[Tender Branson]

FIS calls for joint opposition against 2022 winter FIFA World Cup

All International Winter Sports Federations are being urged to oppose any plans to move the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar from its normal summer slot because of fears that it could adversely affect them.

In the long twisted debate over the 2022 World Cup, the International Skiing Federation (FIS) has asked the other six International Winter Sports Federations to stand up and fight against proposed plans to move the competition to the winter, claiming it will be detrimental to these organisations and their sports.

"FIS will submit a proposal to the other six International Winter Sports Federations to sign a resolution against organising the World Cup during the winter sports season in 2022," the FIS said in a statement following a meeting with the other Federations in Lausanne.

http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/football/732-world-cup/1016796-fis-calls-for-joint-opposition-against-2022-winter-fifa-world-cup

[Platypus]

The choice of Qatar was one of the most disgusting travesties in the history of sports, for a myriad of reasons.

One of which being that the U.S. was denied the right to host when we unquestionably deserve it.

*cough*