On air: Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 - hopes and fears

The World Cup deserved England as its next host in 2018. Russia simply should not have been selected and there is no basis for the decision except to spite England. The claim by the Japanese delegate that British media scrutiny was a factor is a pathetic excuse to justify a decision which must have been made well before the FIFA meeting. Those who were not guilty of the allegations made by the British media should have voted their abhorrence of corruption by voting FOR England and not against it.

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We send a footballing legend, Prime Minister and the future King of England and get only 2 votes. Russia send no-one and win. We send a footballing legend, Prime Minister and the future King of England and only get 2 votes. Qatar send ? and are considered "A Volatile State" and win.
Hmmmm, 2 x Oil rich Nations + 2 x World Cups = Many dodgy backhanders.
That's just my opinion.

The bigger question regarding Qatar is the state's views on homosexuality, punishable by 5 years in jail, as well as their opinions on Israel and Judaism.

How do you aim to kick homophobia out of football when the state hosting the World Cup is itself homophobic?

How "Green" will it be to have the AC constantly pumping in multiple giant stadiums? I guess it's okay to dismiss the environment if you are celebrating that the US didn't win?

Too bad wikileaks wouldn't look into how much Russia and Qatar paid to get selected.

World Cup 2026: Established nations need not apply. FIFA will only go to countries that are corrupt and lie in regions that have never hosted before. I predict Vietnam, Indonesia or Nigeria will host 2026.

@#5 Steve

Actually, the stadiums themselves will be solar powered, the rest of the party may be be another story though (not to mention cramming all the tourists into that tiny country and having to deal with the conservative laws of Qatar). Still, it's worth wondering how much oil (and capital) will be left in Qatar 12 years from now.

First of all, I have to say that giving the world cup to the small and football-novice Qatar was very wrong. The country shouldn't even have been admitted as a candidate. Secondly, FIFA shouls have sorted out earlier how the population of Qatar is going to approach the expected millions of visitors from different cultures. It's pretty amazing that we even have to raise a question whether other cultures should adapt to the local Qatari culture. Why is it always this is the only region in the world which forces other citizens of the world into its way of life? I think if this World Cup takes place in Qatar and they insist on asking too much from others, this could be the firs World Cup to be boycotted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Qatar

Here's a list of some of the human right's issues in Qatar...

Maybe if the visiting fans are lucky, an expat living there might be able to purchase alcohol for them, and fortunately the World Cup isn't during ramadhan or nobody would be allowed to eat or drink during daylight hours!

If theocracies are now open to host the world cup, why not let the Vatican host it? At least you can drink.

if england had won, i wonder how many visas would be given to african fans, same for australia in 2022. i'll brave the racism and the heat of russia and qatar when i get there. the reverse is to be denied a visa just because of stringent immigration rules that rule out most africans.

@#8

Maybe Qatar will end up selling tickets for bottom prices so foreign workers can fill the stadium.

@ ndei

You think Qatar is going to be lenient? YOut hink Russia is? Until recently, you needed an "invitation" to even apply for a Russian visa.

The UK and US were the most logical choices. Each country has much better capability to host these events as they already have the venues, hotels, restaurants etc. In addition, the US and UK are much more tolerant to the variety of world cultures than Russia and Qatar.

The world has changed. The UK and USA need to understand this fact. What the USA or the Uk think is of no importance to the majority of the world. Listening to the BBC, one gets the impression that the only countries capable of staging a successful world Cup are the Western ones. Qatar will get its green technology in place. It has the money, the Uk and USA do not have the money( two bankrupt countries). The midieast peoples will turn out to support the games. There are 1.2 billion muslims and these are more than enough to stage a successful world cup. There is racism in the UK and USA. In spain and Italy and the rest of the European Union also. Russia is capable of staging a successful world cup. Russia was responsible for winning the second world war. There is lots of crime in the UK and USA. I have never heard so much sour grapes in my life as has been aired by the BBC yesterday and today.
arawak.

So, we are critical of other countries offering 'incentives' to Fifa members but happily offer them a stay at The Dorchester for the Olympic Games. How many rooms for how long and at what price? My guess is tens of thousands of pounds§ Cast out your own motes before messing about with other peoples beams.

The expense and preparation for "world class" sports only feed pride and wasted time and money that could be spent on lasting helpful programs for the people of the countries. Temporary physical enjoyments separates children and parents and causes extra expense while diverting a child from helpling family and community. It creates self-centered people focus on their greatness.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/13/fifa-president-gay-fans_n_796068.html

No homosexual sex at the 2022 World Cup says FIFA president.

It's going to be soooo boring.
I wouldn't leave my house without the promise of Alcohol at the end of it.

Let alone travel to the Middle East.

I´ve recently heard that Mr Blatter has surprisingly changed his mind because he agreed with a World Cup held in Winter 2022 in Quatar, after rejecting this suggestion.

But this violates the rules of other candidates, because it has been the rule to stage the World Cup 2022 in July.

Will there be a relaxed summer feeling in January 2022? Apparently no.
The "frozen" World Cup in 2022?!

The farce with hosting the World Cup is going on! It has become a laughing stock.

Furthermore Mr Blatter apologised for his "tainted" remarks on gays.

He should take the job he is paid for a little more serious.