Qatar? Really?

For those who are living under a rock, the nation of Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup. It was a hugely disappointing for all soccer fans in this country as it was assumed that we were the front runners. My initial reaction was one of shock. I mean, given the current situation in the Middle East, how can spectators and teams feel completely safe? I want to make sure to tread lightly here because I don't want to say anything remotely offensive, but I think security has to be discussed. Placing the world's biggest sporting event in the Middle East is a huge risk. Period.

So what was FIFA thinking when they selected Qatar? A lot of reports are suggesting that the voting was corrupt and that FIFA was blinded by the money. I am going be naive and pretend that this isn't the case. I am going to believe that FIFA really is sincere in wanting to expand the sport globally. Upon being winning the bid, Qatar bid chair Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad Al-Thani said, "Thank you for believing in us, thank you for having such bold vision...Thank you also for acknowledging this is the right time for the Middle East". When asked about whether Israel would be allowed to participate if the qualifying he then added, "We are a very, very hospitable place that welcomes people from all parts of the world. Bringing the World Cup to the Middle East now ... will showcase to the world that the Middle East is home to a lot of people, it's opening its arms to the rest of the world. In doing so, such misconceptions will be dissolved." When you read those comments, you really see what FIFA was thinking -it is all about the perceived social impact. They realize what a huge success the World Cup in South Africa was and they are hoping to repeat it. Now we all know that South Africa still has huge problems, but the World Cup definitely showed the world what the nation is capable of. FIFA is hoping that the Qatar World Cup will help improve relations between the Middle East and other parts of the world. They honestly believe in the power of sport. And it isn't lost on me that Qatar beat out the United States, a country that many in the region hate.

FIFA Sepp Blatter said that they were interested in expanding the game to the final frontiers (Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022). This got me thinking that the US was in the same situation when they were awarded the 1994 World Cup. We were not a soccer nation, having only qualified for one World Cup wince 1950. Since then we have made major strides and are quickly becoming a world power. Having the World Cup in the Unites States would not only have made a crap-ton of money for FIFA in the short-term, but it also would have continued to grow the game in the largest and most powerful economy in the world. The World Cup in Qatar is not going to grow the game in the nation. It might help socially, but it won't make the sport any more popular (even if the Qatarese are saying that this will help form a women's league). Want some evidence? While it is a great idea, dismantling the stadiums and donating parts to developing nations certainly does not instill confidence that the game will continue to grow. While Russia's World Cup may have been about money, sport and society, the Qatar World Cup is simply going to be about money and society.

I just don't think it makes much sense (oh, and I forgot to mention that the average temperature in June in Qatar is 106F- I know they are promising AC in all stadiums, but what about when you're not in the stadium? That is going to be brutal). However, there is nothing we can do about it, so hopefully this will be the last time I mention it. On a selfish note,it would have been awesome to bring my 13-year old daughter to watch the World Cup. My parents did not get tickets to the 1994 World Cup when I was 14 so it would have been nice to give her that opportunity.