Qatar: 8 years to go and no one knows what is happening

The latest twist of the already extremely controversial 2022 World Cup in Qatar developed today, as FIFA Executive committee member Zwanziger has revealed that he does not believe the World Cup will be held in the country. Zwanziger's comments are the first time a current member of FIFA has said that they do not believe it will happen, although the FIFA executive committee have been quick to point out he was not speaking for all of them.

Did they not realise it would be hot? 

The biggest problem with Qatar is that it is extremely hot in the summer, even today for example, the temperature there is nearly 40degrees Celsius, a quite frankly ludicrous heat to be playing football in. 

"The Qatar technical report indicated clearly that it is too hot in summer, but the executive committee with quite a big majority decided all the same that the tournament would be in Qatar," - Sepp Blatter

To get around the temperature, it has been proposed that the tournament instead be played in the winter. However, as you can imagine this had not gone down very well with domestic leagues, which would be severely disrupted. The premier league for example, would have to be halted for a whole month, right in the thick of the action, let alone time before this for the players to join their national sides and get ready. Is that really viable? Although Qatar was voted, the vote was for a summer World Cup, surely now that the facts are out and if it would need to be winter, there should be another vote.

Another suggestion is one that I can barely even contemplate. It has been suggested that games may be played in 3 thirds rather than 2 halves. This is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard, even worse than having a 'B' league placed below league 2. I will never, ever watch a game of football in three thirds I can promise that much.

 You do have to question the brains of FIFA however, as Qatar has not suddenly become a hot country…


Corruption 

The whole decision stinks of corruption. There has been a 200,000 page report in to corruption handed in to FIFA to investigate, however it is unclear as to who these reports refer to and how many people may have been involved, if any, in any corruption in the decision making process.

There is no doubt that Qatar is a very wealthy country. The allegation is that they have been 'buying votes' from members of FIFA and it would not surprise me in the slightest if this was true. Otherwise, how an earth would Qatar, slaved with racism, homophobic violence, slavery and terrorist threats be considered the best location to hold a World Cup?

FIFA is hardly full of angels. Many of the voters in 2010 when the decision was made, have since resigned while under investigation of financial wrongdoing. Much like a suspected robber, fleeing from the Police, it is fairly likely that this would indicate their guilt.

The problem though, is that the report is to be investigated by FIFA… Something needs to be done about this organisation running football, how can everyone be sure that this investigation won't also be corrupt? It is insulting to everyone who loves the game for this organisation to continue to run football the way it does.

USA 

The United Sates of America are waiting in the wings for the chance to host the World Cup, and I say, why not? USA is a nation where 'Soccer' is growing at an extraordinary rate. The last time they hosted the World Cup was the year I was born and so I did not get to catch any of the action but am told that it was a fantastic tournament.

USA's side won the hearts of their nation and others across the world with their display in the 2014
World Cup in Brazil. They progressed further than England and put in an awesome performance against a much fancied Belgium side, nearly getting past them. Tim Howard became an American hero with his record number of saves in a World Cup game (16).

When Manchester United recently played a friendly in LA, a crowd of over 100,000 attended. America has an atmosphere like no other, they would make the world cup fun. Everyone would be welcomed in the typical American fashion. There is far less racism, homophobia, slavery, bribery etc.

The USA deserves another World Cup, and I am all in favour of giving them this one.

"I believe that they will win"