And the world cup goes to...Qatar?

[boholikeu]

I can't say I understand people's disbelief that Qatar will have everything build and ready in time for the world cup. The country has tons of money. Apparently, they give a free house and car to every citizen that gets married.

Now maybe the country doesn't deserve it for other reasons, but they have a pretty solid infrastructure. It is hardly the 3rd world country some people here seem to be implying it is.

They're planning on building these stadioums in Qatar:

http://www.skysports.com/gallery/detail/0,20501,11096_6460734,00.html#photo=12

Even if they pull only one of those off I'll be impressed.

Have you seen the skyscrapers that have already been built in Qatar? Those stadiums seem conservative after you've seen some of their city skylines.

 

[Donald L]

When I saw Mother Russia won, I thought: 'Okay. Cool.'
When I saw Qatar won, I thought: 'Wait. What?'

 

[Hashandir]

I think that the main, real, reason the world cups went to these countries was that they have the money that FIFA needs and wants. They will spend whatever amount of money they're asked to. It's simply business, though I do wonder how they'll get good fields over in Qatar with all the sand and shit.

 

[Lizardon]

I'm just pissed that the Australian Government wasted $45 million on our bid. I've seen the video presentation we made. Where the hell did all the taxpayers money go?

 

[lostzombies.com]

I imagine some of you are paying attention to the World Cup 2018 and 2022 announcements that have just been made in Zurich. Russia will host in 2018, which I can understand (this coming from an Englishman who has just watched his country lose the bidding). But Qatar in 2022? That is surely a risk too far. Its fair enough to take football to the Middle East, but a nation with 1.5 million inhabitants and no footballing history to speak of? I'm astounded. Maybe things will change in 12 years, but if you'd told me yesterday that Qatar would win I'd have had you packed off to the asylum.

Since most English football forums will currently be exploding in apoplectic fury (and this is the only forum I'm actually on regularly) I was just wondering what other, perhaps more sensible people think about this (well maybe not sensible, but you know what I mean). Are Russia and Qatar the best choices?

I for one can't wait for football in 50 degree heat, no alcohol for any of the fans, and all the female fans having to cover their arms, legs and heads so not to offend the locals.

 

[The Long Road]

The biggest problem I have with this is the meatheads on ESPN keep pronouncing Qatar 'cutter', not the proper pronunciation 'kah-tar'. I wish I could post in the Arabic alphabet on here, but both vowel sounds in 'Qatar' are short A.

 

[zHellas]

<img src="http://umop.com/images/comics/dailies/20071125_q-is-for-qatar.jpg" border=0>

Yeah, I'm sure they put a great amount of thought into that decision process!

Obviously Qatar is the best choice for a football game in the summer, what with the 32+ Celsius/100+ Fahrenheit summer weather, no drinking laws (I'm guessing that from what others here have said), and that during the games there will be people in strenuous activity in 32 C/100 F AND ABOVE TEMPERATURE so they'll be fine!

/sarcasm

OT:

Why Qatar, exactly?

Not much sense.

I mean, the U.S. or Japan would be much better choices.

Preferably Japan. High-tech World Cup, with a secret bonus round with the winning team having to play against Robots!