Qatar?!?!?!? for 2022 World Cup?!?!?

[Hector]

It starts at a young age

I remember in highschool soccer was taken less seriously than girls basketball.

If you make fun of soccer in England or Mexico...it would be like playing with an angry rattlesnake...

[Hector]

Hottest average temperatures in Qatar peak at around 41 Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit) in June and July. Of course, that doesn’t reflect what it is really like to be out in the sun in the middle of the day when temperatures can reach or pass 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

Are you serious?!!?!?!?!?!?

What the hell is wrong with FIFA???

It really boggles the mind.

I hope no one dies of hydration and sun exposure...I'm serious.

[megomania]

Typically smaller host countries have to build stadiums from the ground up. These guys are filthy rich...they plan on building air-conditioned stadiums - it was part of their presentation. Now, that doesn't keep you cool when you have nothing to do while the games aren't being played...

[megomania]

Basically because the MLS is a 3rd rate league and only has a handful of the world's best soccer players. It's pretty sad when a premier league club team can come to the states and easily beat an MLS All Star team. Premier League teams have been coming over the past few years to play friendlies and filling stadiums.

I honestly think that FIFA wants to give different countries/continents an opportunity to host. It will be back in the USA at some point. It also gives countries an opportunity to boost their economy and bring tourists who would otherwise not visit.

Meh. MLS would have a better reputation of they weren't in dog a** cities like Dallas, Foxborough, D.C., Jersey, Denver, Columbus, and Kansas City KANSAS pulling in 8k per game. These aren't exactly hotbeds for soccer. Here in Seattle we're getting 35k/game with a waiting list because soccer has always been pushed hard here in WA/OR/W Canada starting in grade school...the new Portland and Vancouver franchises have already sold their season ticket caps.

We could have Messi, Drogba, Ronaldinho, etc in MLS and soccer couldn't sniff the NFL here, and maybe not even MLB. It's not neccesarily who you have but more about what you've grown up with as a country. And for the USA it is football. For Euro it is soccer.

[ScottA]

This could be held in my own city for free and I wouldn't go. I loved playing soccer as a kid but I just can't watch it. For me I'd rather watch anything else.

[megomania]

This could be held in my own city for free and I wouldn't go. I loved playing soccer as a kid but I just can't watch it. For me I'd rather watch anything else.

This is exactly the type of statement the rest of the world thinks is pervasive throughout the entire U.S. (no offense intended Scott )

[ScottA]

None taken. For me it has to do with when and where I grew up. We played soccer in school and we had fun as kids playing it. But it was never televised so we weren't really exposed to it as a major sport with teams and all. Certainly have nothing against anyone who loves and follows it.

As a side note I have a friend who worked in Qatar for 2 years. Damnest place to hold a soccer tournament.

[Hector]

This could be held in my own city for free and I wouldn't go. I loved playing soccer as a kid but I just can't watch it. For me I'd rather watch anything else.

Like megomania and I said...this is the main reason why FIFA bypassed the USA.

[Adam West]

Meh. MLS would have a better reputation of they weren't in dog a** cities like Dallas, Foxborough, D.C., Jersey, Denver, Columbus, and Kansas City KANSAS pulling in 8k per game. These aren't exactly hotbeds for soccer. Here in Seattle we're getting 35k/game with a waiting list because soccer has always been pushed hard here in WA/OR/W Canada starting in grade school...the new Portland and Vancouver franchises have already sold their season ticket caps.

We could have Messi, Drogba, Ronaldinho, etc in MLS and soccer couldn't sniff the NFL here, and maybe not even MLB. It's not neccesarily who you have but more about what you've grown up with as a country. And for the USA it is football. For Euro it is soccer.

That kind of attendence still wouldn't be enough to pay Messi, Drogba, or Ronaldinho. Take a look at their salaries (they're as high or higher than top NFL players). Plus you don't have the rabid fans who go out and buy club merchandise like they do in Europe.

[Adam West]

This could be held in my own city for free and I wouldn't go. I loved playing soccer as a kid but I just can't watch it. For me I'd rather watch anything else.

It's similar to me and Nascar, baseball, or golf. I just don't have any interest in any of them but can appreciate anyone who does because I know they are watching different tactical aspects of the sport that I don't really understand.

[Adam West]

I would also argue that D.C. actually is a pretty decent area for soccer. D.C. United averages 20K+ per game...the main problem they're dealing with right now is they are playing at RFK Stadium (The Redskins old stadium). Most soccer style stadiums have stands that are up close to the pitch. By contrast, football stadiums (at least RFK and FedEx) are more bowl shaped and is meant to be viewed a bit further back.

[clemso]

This is just sick, England have not hosted a World Cup since 1966. Whats up with that!!!?

[Adam West]

I just checked some salary stats

Ronaldinho makes $26M per year excluding endorsements
Messi $38M per year excluding endorsements
Beckham $43M per year excluding endorsements all USD

NFL

Top 3 base salaries around $25M per year excluding endorsements