Qatar 2022

[YankeeFan]

Will Qatar actually host the World Cup in 2012?

So far, FIFA appears to be full steam ahead with its plan, including holding a vote to move the timing. But, the idea is absurd on so many levels.

When do various countries start to demand it be moved? How many people need to die?

Couple of articles:

Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-03/qatar-s-world-cup-fiasco.html

Jeff MacGregor : http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/9753901/human-rights-concerns-raised-qatar-world-cup

 

[Mark2010]

Whoever thought this was a good idea is insane. Might as well hold the Winter Olympics in Costa Rica.

 

[Steak Snabler]

If they went back in time and hosted in 2012 (when there wasn't even a World Cup), that really WOULD be something.

And please, let's not make this about human rights. If that was an issue, Russia and China should never host an international event, either.

It's just too God damn hot there.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

If the checks clear, it'll be in Qatar. And lord knows the checks should clear.

Never, ever count on FIFA to do the right thing.

 

[PressRowsNotSafe]

I'm sure Brazil must be LOVING this. Russia's anti-homosexuality stance and Qatar's issues are taking away from the nearest disaster for a World Cup host site. But hey, when you have 4.5 million requests for tickets, what's it matter?

Qatar has more issues, though. I'm 27, and I want to go to a World Cup before I'm too old not to enjoy it with some buddies. I'd love for it to be somewhere that I consider safe to travel as an American. How's Russia looking, folks? If Qatar is moved to winter, that makes a lot of sense, but there's going to be a helluva lot of tug-of-war behavior going on with the England FA and other countries who feel it'll be a hindrance to the world's biggest leagues like the BPL.

 

[Mark2010]

I figure it's a moot point. By 2022 there is going to be so much bloodshed, particularly in that corner of the world, that sports will seem of little consequence.

 

[Batman]

If they have to build all these new stadiums in Qatar anyway, and they have more money than God, can't they just build domes?

 

[Shoeless Joe]

If FIFA does try to push through moving it to winter, that might blow up international soccer as we know it. If push comes to shove and the big leagues join forces, FIFA is no longer the boss of soccer.

 

[deskslave]

If they have to build all these new stadiums in Qatar anyway, and they have more money than God, can't they just build domes?

World Cups have to be played on grass, and for all the world's technological advances, producing a grass pitch of anything like an international standard under a roof is still extremely difficult.

 

[Webster]

They can't play it in the summer and the bribes were and are too good to have it moved to another country.

The big domestic leagues can't run with the top players gone, so I think you're going to get earlier starts and later finishes to the big Euro leagues with probably a six week winter break.

Fox will be upset, because TV rights are probably worth less given the competition with NFL and possibly college football.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

2022 is a long time from now. FIFA is betting on stability in a region not known for it.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Does anyone think it's possible that Brazil gets pulled off without something major happening?

Honestly, I would be more worried about Brazil than I would Qatar.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

They have soccer matches in Brazil all the time. The government's grandiose plan to build lots of new stadiums might fall apart, but they'll find places to hold matches.

 

[Flip Wilson]

If they have to build all these new stadiums in Qatar anyway, and they have more money than God, can't they just build domes?

World Cups have to be played on grass, and for all the world's technological advances, producing a grass pitch of anything like an international standard under a roof is still extremely difficult.

Eh, not really. Here are pictures of an arena in Germany that has a slide-out pitch. It's outside when matches aren't being played, and then is slid back into the stadium when needed. There are several stadiums like this one, including the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/germany/nordrhein_westfalen/gelsenkirchen_schalke.shtml

 

[Webster]

2022 is a long time from now. FIFA is betting on stability in a region not known for it.

For a summer World Cup, the US can host on a couple of months notice.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Unless there are videos of Qatar soccer fans beheading a referee and putting the head on a stick, I'd be a little more worried about the upcoming World Cup.

 

[kingcreole]

I bet Fox is just giddy about the prospects of a winter World Cup, especially in January/February. I hear there are some important NFL games that happen around that time.

 

[ColdCat]

If they have to build all these new stadiums in Qatar anyway, and they have more money than God, can't they just build domes?

World Cups have to be played on grass, and for all the world's technological advances, producing a grass pitch of anything like an international standard under a roof is still extremely difficult.

They already did have an indoor World Cup game, 20 years ago.
Michigan State's ag department grew and maintained a field inside the Pontiac Silverdome.

 

[MileHigh]

I bet Fox is just giddy about the prospects of a winter World Cup, especially in January/February. I hear there are some important NFL games that happen around that time.

Well, it won't be February because the IOC has told FIFA it's watching very closely and the World Cup better not go against the Winter Olympics in February 2022.

If it's January and goes up against the NFL and Fox is worried, we're talking, what, one Saturday and three Sundays? And even then, Qatar is eight hours ahead of the East Coast in the winter, so would there really be a huge conflict with the NFL?

 

[deskslave]

If they have to build all these new stadiums in Qatar anyway, and they have more money than God, can't they just build domes?

World Cups have to be played on grass, and for all the world's technological advances, producing a grass pitch of anything like an international standard under a roof is still extremely difficult.

They already did have an indoor World Cup game, 20 years ago.
Michigan State's ag department grew and maintained a field inside the Pontiac Silverdome.

Which is why I said extremely difficult, not impossible.

Point remains, a series of domes doesn't solve everything. Among other things, you need training facilities for 32 teams.

It would be nice if FIFA would consider the effects that a winter World Cup would have on leagues beyond the Premier Leagues and La Ligas of the world, but I don't expect that to happen.