2022 World Cup Hosts

Written/Compiled by: Eric Fulton

Was it legacy, a scandal, or both?

How and why did these seemingly darkhorse bids to host the FIFA World Cup (Qatar, in particular) win the right to host the worlds largest sporting event? That is the question that officials and the average layperson around the world, and in England and the USA specifically, as respective host favorites are asking themselves today.

A glance into the realm of Twitter and Facebook this morning display the anguish, frustration, and contempt that many have with FIFA and the WC bidding process . While terms such as corruption, bribes, and idiocy are flying around the blogosphere, we’ll take a second to get acquainted with the idea of our two new World Cup host countries.

FACT and FIGURES

• Qatar is the smallest country ever, geographically, to  host the World Cup, while Russia is the biggest.
• The USA had 1.2 million people sign the US Bid petition, while Qatar’s total population is 1.7 million.
• Qatar is currently ranked 113th in FIFA’s international team rankings.
• Qatar has the highest per-capita co2 emissions for the last 18 years, largely b/c of air conditioning
• Average Daytime Temperature in Qatar for the Months of June through August (World Cup schedule) is 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Qatar his scheduled to build 12 domed and air-conditioned stadia for the World Cup.
• FIFA final round voting for the 2018 world Cup was as follows: Russia with 13 votes, Spain/Portugal with 7 votes, and Netherlands/Belgium with 2 votes.
• FIFA final round of voting for the 2022 world cup was between the US and Qatar with Qatar receiving 14 votes and the USA with 8 votes
• Among the 2018 European World Cup bid counties, Russia has the least developed soccer economy

REVIEWS, ARTICLES, AND OTHER INFO:

• FIFA Official Announcement on FIFA.com
• FIFA Interview with Qatar Sheihk Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani
• Soccer America’s Journalistic Review
• Jeff Carisle of ESPN Soccernet says that this defeat for the USA 2022 bid will tarish USSF President Sunil Gulati’s Legacy
• SI’s Grant Wahl, one of the best soccer writers in our country, and his initial Thoughts
• Sports Commentator JP Dellacamera says that the “best bid lost” on Philadelphia Union’s Website
• A political take (re: possibly weakening of Al-Qaeda) on Qatar winning the World Cup by the Daily Beast

POSSIBLE USA BID FOR WC 2026???

US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati says in post-bid result interview: “(it’s) too early to think about a 2026 bid.”

HAVE YOUR SAY – POLL

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In an otherwise mediocre game for the US Men’s National Team in their friendly match vs. South Africa yesterday in Cape Town, SA; the 2nd half substitutes of  Juan Agudelo and Mikkel Diskerud made all the difference in the gamewinning goal in the 85th minute! Pretty classy from a pair of youngsters in their first game for the Red, White, and Blue.

Video of GOAL!!!

Coach Bob Bradley’s thoughts after the game:

Video of Post-game THOUGHTS