We Don't Share Your Joy… And Why is There a Dog on Your Daughter's Head?
So, of course we’re going to overreact. And do so in a nasty, brutish, and (relatively) short fashion.
We’re not too pleased at the voting results. But we should learn how these things work.
As James T pointed out, in the early Aughties, Issa Hayatou challenged the Sepp hegemony and shockingly Africa got a World Cup. Now Bin-Hammam publicly floats the idea of challenging Sepp at the outset of the final run-up to the vote, and, whoa shocker, Bin-Hammam’s home nation gets a World Cup.
Unless we had pics of Sepp blowing a goat, we should have known better.
Anyway, with the vote still freshly percolating our collective anguish-and-vitriol mix we posed ourself three relatively simple questions:
1) Are you surprised?
2) What’s the most shocking thing about this?
3) Will you consider going to either 2018 or 2022?
It’s a small sampling as not everyone answered. But check back as, if late returns come in, they’ll be tabulated and the post updated.
Moonshine Mike
1) No.
2) That they actually made the other countries put on elaborate presentations.
3) Not a chance.
The Stretford End:
1. While I shouldn’t be surprised based on the past few days of chatter, I am. It’s the person in me that wants to believe there is good int he world. It’s not that the USA should have been entitled to get 2022, but it was the best and most logical bid. The Qatar bid is much like bidding on oil futures. Anyone who can tell me where the region will be in 12 years is fooling themselves, and that means it’s too big a risk, even for Sepp.
2. The drubbing England took was more than I expected. Also, this organization’s ability to smile in the face of overwhelming evidence that it’s outlived its validity by becoming worse than the 1900s mafia in Sicily.
3. I won’t go to Russia in 2018. My suspicion is we’re not going to be friendly with them by then, so it won’t be a safe place. As for Qatar, I’d actually love to see this if they can pull it off. But it will all depend on safety. That’s one key part of this. FIFA basically said it doesn’t give a whit about the safety of the people from the West.
The Fan’s Attic:
1) Not surprised, but disappointed that I won’t have a World Cup in my back yard in 2022. It just goes to show that the current FIFA committee is not interested in who will be the best hosts or what will be the most hospitable location for fans and teams, rather it is a political body looking for two things. First, a story it can sell. Second, and most importantly, an institution where the voters are attempting to aggregate power and support.
2) That Qatar had eleven votes in the first round. Clearly, Qatar had amassed some serious political clout in the Committee and Sepp may not win re-election. I didn’t expect it to be so clear cut.
3) Sure, I’ll consider both, but in the end, while I would like to visit both locations, I do not think that either would make a great soccer trip. Russia has the same issues the US has in that everything is a great distance apart making quick travel difficult and expensive. Qatar is the polar opposite of Russia in that it is super compact along with super hot. I can’t imagine 3 million visitors to a nation of 1.6 million people being the best travel experience along with searing desert heat and humidity. The country will have the money to make the best of the situation by building hotels and air conditioning a ton of stuff, but to have that many visitors to see games almost all played within 60 kilometers of each other will be a logistical nightmare. Plus, all that demand in such a small area will make it feasible only for the super rich to afford to attend.
James T:
1. Not surprised at all. I blogged back in October that the US wouldn’t win, and predicted the winners yesterday.
2. For me, it’s that Sepp chose two more intensive project World Cups in a row, following SA 2010 and Brazil 2014. It’s a lot more work, but the payoff for FIFA and their narrative is amazing. They get to say they did it their way, from scratch, and in two countries where they’ll be greeted with no hostility or dissent whatsoever. Hm. Guess this isn’t so shocking anymore.
3. I’d go to Qatar before I booked a flight to Russia.
Precious Roy:
1) Not entirely surprised by the results. I am shocked at the numbers. England with only 2 votes in the first round? Presumably they voted for themselves. So who was the other person who voted for them? And Qatar almost taking 2022 in the first round. Our level of suspicion that these things are in the bag before a vote is cast borders on fact, but that almost seems to confirm that’s the case. Half the voting members really think putting the World Cup in a furnace of a country with no footballing history is a good idea? Not buying it.
2) Oh, I guess I answered that above. But the more I think about it, the more it’s just the fact that Qatar won annoys me more and more.
3) No. I would almost booked tickets tomorrow for any of the other Euro hosts in 2018. And was hoping for a trip to Oz in 2022, but they got housed. Oh well.
3. If I were making a list of countries I never intend to visit, Russia would be high up there. Have any of you people ever BEEN to Brighton Beach?
1) I was surprised, though I shouldn’t be considering Sepp’s penchant for giving the cup to first timers rather than revisiting old host countries.
2) That I will be almost 50 before I have a realistic shot at going to a World Cup.
3) If someone else paid for me to go, I would visit Qatar.
to play the devil’s advocate for a minute, it is a world sport. and going to places outside of the norm is kind of a good thing for the world’s sport. and in fairness will any other country outside of western europe and the USandA provide as stable a world cup when compared to western europe and USandA?
also, why is everyone hating on brazil? footie aside, a lot of friends and i plan on going
1. Not surprised at the winners, but surprised at the manner in which they won.
2. England. This time last year I would have bet the house on them winning one of these two bids.
3. Being 24 and pissed off, I say no way because Russia is absolutely dire and Qatar would roast my nuts off and sits a little too close to certain other countries for my comfort. But in truth, I would probably consider both when the time actually comes.
1. Not surprised, although Putin’s playacting yesterday made me think Spain/Portugal had 2018 over Russia
2. Shocked that England missed on the 1st round of voting due to 2 votes for Ned/Bel. FIFA is a grudge-monster, apparently.
3. Likely no. I’m not a made man to feel safe enough in Russia and the heat I already live in is enough for me to avoid Qatar.
@Clemantona: because of things like the government not being able to control crime and essentially being kicked out of portions of the urban centers. a strong criminal presence that is not controlled does not sound like a good element to have when millions of people are traveling to the country making easy targets. any other time and i would love to go to brazil.
@Clemantona: I would love to go to Brazil 2014 if I could afford it. Too many other financial priorities in the next few years, sadly.
No
Nothing
Hell No
@Clem: I will most likely head to Rio for 2014. That place is awesome.
The crime thing i can agree with, but surely even criminals love soccer. i’m not up to date on how the crime rate panned out in South Africa, anybody know?
Clem: Dropped precipitously during the Cup, then headed back up almost the day after the final.
1) Not really. In my mind, FIFA ranks somewhere between Somalia and Haiti when it comes to corruption, so the results aren’t that surprising.
2) That Australia was out in the first round in 2022 voting. Seriously, Japan and Korea each got more votes? They just hosted the damn thing!
3) Russia’s doubtful. No chance at Qatar. Likely financial constraints make Brazil extremely doubtful as well. That means I’ll likely have to wait until I’m 43 to see a World Cup match in person. Yikes. I would have started saving for the 2018 WC if any other venue had been chosen, and would have done the same had 2022 gone to Australia or Japan.
@Jonathon
South Korea was helped in that their bid chief had a World Cup vote bc he’s on the committee. Sure he got a couple of friends to pony up too.
1. Not with Russia.
2. Qatar. Like I said to pups, it’s math and logistics. they fail at both. Some are saying they only have 840k people, not the 1.6 million quoted in wikipedia. And they’re entire bid reads like science fiction – disassemble the stadiums you haven’t even built yet and ship them around the world? Fuck you for even pretending.
3. I have a daughter. No fucking way.
/not afraid of Brazil, though. Have friends there.
@berg: but they have 800k slaves.
TFA – great. So he hates gays and is sponsoring one of the greatest human rights crises of this century.
But look over here! Soc-cer in the Middle East!
@berg: But they’re going to air condition the entire country! That has to be better than holograms.
@PR
The other vote for England was Japan.
_
1. No
2. The fact that Korea was even in the running.
3. I’d take a chance on Russia. I don’t want to leave my dry 115 for their wet 120.
@Jonathon – the Haitian government is too incompetent to be truly corrupt on the scale of FIFA
@NYK: That’s what happens when you make pacts with the devil.
/Pat Robertson’d
1) Yes, I though FIFA’s love of money above all else would put these cups in England and the US.
2) That FIFA cares so little about money and fan safety and experience they will go with two such choice in back to back cycles.
3) I wouldn’t go if I were paid to go. Piss on both of those countries (and Qatar isn’t even that bad when you consider the neighborhood they live in).
This makes is official that I’m going to Brazil 2014.
1. After chatting with JT (aka Nostradamus) at Thanksgiving while watching the Cowgirls choke against the Saints, I can say I was properly warned.
2. I was most shocked to think that a country with no stadia, no real infrastructure and label “high risk” in FIFA’s own techincal report, could trump the US and the Aussie so convincingly. Science Fiction indeed! Also stunned that England failed to get past the first round of voting.
3. I won’t be attending Russia 2018 and unless my son becomes the next America’s Balding Eagle (we can all dare to dream) I’ll be watching the Black Gold Cup 2022 from the comfort of my air conditioned home or local pub.
@Tno: Same here. Much more managable than the other two, and certainly not waiting until 2026.
1.) Not really. Especially about Russia, that always seemed plausible to me.
2.) That Jack Warner failed to bring home the goods.
3.) Definitely. Terrible human rights crap aside, I’m actually pretty intrigued by Russia’s bid. Free transportation sure sounds nice.
@RFCSean
I take no solace in being right :)
You’ve probably already seen this, but from the Guardian blog, rankings of press freedom in the bidding countries:
Netherlands (3)/Belgium (14)
Japan (12)
Australia (18)
England (19 as part of UK)
USA (20)
Spain (39)/Portugal (40)
South Korea (42)
Qatar (120)
Russia (140)
Sending message there FIFA?
@Ryan: I think that’s only train travel.
/takes two weeks to get anywhere in russia by train.
Heh.
It’s twelve years before Qatar. Methinks there will be some “world event” between then and now that will force FIFA to move the Cup to the United States.
/snickers
//looks over shoulder
WHAT DID WE ACHIEVE SUNIL? WHAT THE **** DID WE ACHIEVE?
Just saw his stupid email.
I’m heading to Bahia for Brazil 2014. Its a central location with 2 stadiums 1hr away each. Not to mention, I have peoples down there with places to crash. Interesting enough, I would rank Brazil safer than Russia.
More important questions about Qatar:
Can we drink beer there?: Yes, but…The laws of Qatar tolerate alcohol to a certain extent. Much Distribution Company (who? exactly.) is the only importer and retailer for alcohol in Qatar. Under Qatar’s Sharia, it is illegal to show alcohol or be drunk in public. I.E. monopoly over alcohol distribution by the ruling family no way budwiser (or anyone else) gets in without cutting them a huge deal…
Can we get away with Shenanigans in Qatar ?: not exactly… When contrasted with other Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar has comparatively liberal laws, but is still not as liberal as other Arab states like UAE or Bahrain. Qatar is a civil law jurisdiction. However, Shari’a or Islamic law is applied to aspects of family law, inheritance and certain criminal acts; which includes forms of PDA or heavy petting (looking @ U ANON).
Can we get around the country?: not yet… No railways, just cars due to cheap oil but you need to pass a test to drive or hire a driver. A railway is being built in the country, should be done in 2012/2013. New airport in the works, but only one airport.
1) Not one bit.
2) It’s not shocking, at all.
3) No clue about either, but rest assured that no one will go to 2022. We’re just too xenophobic here in the West.
@Ryan: Ya I commented on that on some other thread. I saw the subject and didn’t even consider opening it. If I wasn’t sitting in a meeting I would probably need a new blackberry.
@Ryan- That e-mail disgusts me. Fuck that guy, seriously..
Also if you do drive a car, Qatar has the largest fines in terms of traffic violations in the world. (From Wiki) So there’s that.
Also from the Wiki, they were a British colony ’til 1971. So it’s all JT’s peoples fault.
Just wondering how long it will be before the comments come along chastising the post for being hate-filled and demeaning to the Middle East…
Link to this thing you’re talking about from Sunil?
@ Ryan: Always blame the English/White Paper’d
@timmy xenophobes or exercising due caution?
@anon
.
Just a few hours ago, FIFA announced the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. Despite our best efforts, the United States was not chosen for this honor.
There’s no way around it: I am disappointed. Millions of U.S. soccer fans worked hard to bring the World Cup to our country. To come up short is very difficult to take.
But in the face of this disappointment, we shouldn’t lose track of all that we achieved. During the past two years, the outpouring of support for soccer in the United States has been inspiring and historic. More than one million people signed on to our Bid, and more than 100 million watched last summer’s World Cup.
Thanks to your efforts, the Game is stronger than ever in our country, and it will continue to grow stronger. There’s no question that you’ve helped make a lasting impact on soccer in the United States. The entire country – and the entire world – took notice.
Even though our Bid did not win, the future of soccer is bright in the United States. You’ve proven to the world that The Game Is In You, and that The Game Is In US.
Thank you for all that you’ve done.
Sincerely,
Sunil Gulati
President
U.S. Soccer
@Anonsters: It’s an email sent to everyone who signed the US bid petition. Subject line: What We Achieved
Text:
Just a few hours ago, FIFA announced the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. Despite our best efforts, the United States was not chosen for this honor.
There’s no way around it: I am disappointed. Millions of U.S. soccer fans worked hard to bring the World Cup to our country. To come up short is very difficult to take.
But in the face of this disappointment, we shouldn’t lose track of all that we achieved. During the past two years, the outpouring of support for soccer in the United States has been inspiring and historic. More than one million people signed on to our Bid, and more than 100 million watched last summer’s World Cup.
Thanks to your efforts, the Game is stronger than ever in our country, and it will continue to grow stronger. There’s no question that you’ve helped make a lasting impact on soccer in the United States. The entire country – and the entire world – took notice.
Even though our Bid did not win, the future of soccer is bright in the United States. You’ve proven to the world that The Game Is In You, and that The Game Is In US.
Thank you for all that you’ve done.
Sincerely,
Sunil Gulati
President
U.S. Soccer
Jinx!
I know he has to put a positive spin on things, but that subject line just seemed a little much.
Wow. That’s weak sauce.
Not sure the entire country took notice. Did many US-ians know the US was even bidding for 2022? Do many–after this morning–even know they’re out?
The best he can do is throw bid slogans at us?
@Anon: Ditto what Army and Ryan said, but I must emphasize that the subject of the email simply said “What we achieved”. Please, Sunil, please tell me what we achieved.
@MP: Failure! Woo!
Landon on Twitter:
“I have an idea..we play Qatar in a friendly(they can even host it), and the winner gets to host the 2022 WC..wait, do they even have a team?”
Oh snap?
@Ryan: ABE!
Is there some type of trend too re: awarding of these events to double up? Brazil 2014 WC, 2016 summer Olympics; Russia 2014 winter Olympics, 2018 WC? Qatar hosting an Olympics soon too?
1) I was surprised like I’m “surprised” when Arsenal throws away a lead. It’s that same “What just happened and where are my pants?” feeling.
2) That the US hasn’t already moved a naval carrier to the Persian Gulf, kicking off “Operation Juan Agudelo FTW” errrr “Qatari Freedom.”
3) Nyet and however-the-frack-you-say-”no”-in-Arabic-Gulf.
It seems like the relationship between hosting major events and being a back-asswards country has been flipped. I always thought that getting to host these events was a reward. Once you join the modern world, you become eligible. But it seems like FIFA has now deluded itself into thinking that the arrow goes the other way: pick a 4th-century-style country, given them the World Cup, and somehow the magical Jabulani fairy will lift them from poverty, inequality, bad political institutions, and state-sponsored religious oppression so that they can join the advanced world. The Cup will for sure be returning to Asia in 2026– Start preparing your bid, North Korea. Unfortunately, Syria and Iran will have to wait to duke it out over the Cup’s return trip to the Middle East.
If Anon has to ask about the contents of Gulati’s letter I can only assume that he didn’t sign the bid petition. It’s all Anon’s fault!
Just checking too–Australia’s news is reporting its failed bid cost taxpayers $46.5 million (assuming that’s Aussie dollars); how much will the Gulati Affair cost US taxpayers I wonder…
1) Not really. But I do think Putin’s agro-stance against “western bias” made him look like a sore loser before it even started.
2) We couldn’t find anyone better in the entire US of A for our bid presentation. Between PR, Design, Celebrities, Bewbs, and general presentation – ours left a lot to be desired. So I was impressed we made it to the final round after that. Seriously – NAME ONE HOT CHICK the US tried to pimp to Sepp. All the other countries had theirs – and in the WAG dept, we came up waaaay short.
3) I would consider going to Russia solely after watching their presentation. I feel for their dreamy marketing, well organized presentation, and of course, Arshavin’s dimples. Being a thin, very honky, Aryan female, that’s really concerning. But luckily I dye my hair dark and wear some ugly shoes and I’d fit in fine in E. Europe. Probably wouldn’t take the kids..but would realistically worry more about my safety there than theirs (they’re boys).
.
Separately, @TFA/Ryan – the free transit was both by train AND bus for any ticket holders. Also, free visas into the country for ticket holders. So if you’re just going for the party (but not into the games) you’d still have to pony up. You had to read between the lines to pay attention to that aspect in their presentation.
.
Don’t despair. FIFA will still get western money since everyone will just go to London or Sportugal for a FanFest anyway…
Yes, I didn’t sign the bid petition. I didn’t vote in the last election, either. I am to blame for everything. :(
@Anon, so you are robbie findley in disguise.
I’m fast!!1!eleventy!!oneoneone!
It would be nice if the US dollars dried up for FIFA. Alas, business wouldn’t do that in America. They would still try to peddle their wares to the masses.
If I were Spain and Portugal, I would tomorrow announce the first ever Drinking and Sexing World Cup… That would just happen to fall exactly during the same month as the 2018 World Cup.
@PR: seems like it would be more effective in 2022.
@ Wag: So, when we all hear about a WAG that was detained by Russian authorities for ambush marketing, we’ll all know who to wire bail money to, eh?
Fuck FIFA. I’m headed to Euro ’16 in France. Who’s with me?
I need Arsenal to win by 5 goals in order to make up for watching this Lebron sadness
I may go to Russia. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t been there before, y ya gavarioyou ochen malinki pa russki…
Also, what hot chick did Qatar have? Being a hot chick there is illegal.
Also, some fun facts about Qatar, courtesy of wikipedia:
The average July temperature is 115 F…so it may be A/C’d in the stadiums but have fun walking over.
Qatar actually has the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the world, nearly 3 times higher than the US even.
3/4ths of the population is European ex-pats, though they have no say in government.
Qatar does allow alcohol, but it is illegal to be drunk in public. Here’s hoping England doesn’t qualify for 2022 or none of its fans can make it back home.
Al Jazeera is headquartered in Doha, Qatar.
The population of Qatar is about the same as my current town, Portland, OR.
The Trafficking in Persons report from the US State department lists Qatar as “neither satisfies the minimum standards nor demonstrates significant efforts to come into compliance” to prevent human trafficking.
That’ll do for now. They’re doing some good stuff, too, at least compared to much of the rest of the petrodollar world, but, yeah…better than the US, obviously.
@WhoNeedsForwards: a fellow PDXer. nice.