And the winner is....Russia....and Qatar...

[Mark Latimour]

Russia to host World Cup 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Looks like both England the USA missed out. Thoughts?

[burk48237]

No big deal, Its just sissy football anyway.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by burk48237

No big deal, Its just sissy football anyway.

The one with all the pads and stoppages?

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

The one with all the pads and stoppages?

Nope, that's the real football.

I did hear that Qatar significantly out bid bribed the selection committee though.

[CrispyDelicious]

Originally Posted by burk48237

Nope, that's the real football.

You mean handegg.

[LowDown Hal]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Russia to host World Cup 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Looks like both England the USA missed out. Thoughts?

It's a lot of fuss over "kickball"

[Mark Latimour]

As a colleague said: "Its interesting that the two countries with the least transparent Governments has managed to win in their bids. Of course, the US probably would have been in with a shot in the bidding war, but its seems they can't keep anything a secret at the moment."

I LOL'd!

[Jools4001]

I don't give a stuff about football (soccer if you prefer). But I can't help feeling that the BBC shot this particular fox with their allegations of bribery and corruption within FIFA.

Neither can I help feeling that "there is no smoke without fire". Unlike our own PM, Putin didn't bother to travel to Zurich - probably knew that it was in the bag ahead of the announcement.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

As a colleague said: "Its interesting that the two countries with the least transparent Governments has managed to win in their bids. Of course, the US probably would have been in with a shot in the bidding war, but its seems they can't keep anything a secret at the moment."

I LOL'd!

ha! I was just going to post some snide wiki leaks comment but you popped my balloon damn you!

[Dr. Cheese]

Russia will be "interesting" to say the least given it's post Soviet history of dealing with non-white people. I guess the government will really be out to keep hoodlums in check when it comes to dealing with visitors who don't look like Northern Europeans.

Qatar definitely does not sound like a location for drunken parties or carousing at all.

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Russia will be "interesting" to say the least given it's post Soviet history of dealing with non-white people. I guess the government will really be out to keep hoodlums in check when it comes to dealing with visitors who don't look like Northern Europeans.

Qatar definitely does not sound like a location for drunken parties or carousing at all.

I suspect that most the players won't feel like partying after getting treatment for heat exhaustion anyway. What is the average temp for an outside sporting event in Qatar anyway, Like 120f? I'm sure the players from Norway and Finland will adjust to that climate real fast.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Russia will be "interesting" to say the least given it's post Soviet history of dealing with non-white people. I guess the government will really be out to keep hoodlums in check when it comes to dealing with visitors who don't look like Northern Europeans.

Qatar definitely does not sound like a location for drunken parties or carousing at all.

Have you ever been to Russia? It's an experience. You will meet some of the nicest, sweetest people on earth one day and some of the most brutal, rude and prejudicial people the next. It's a land of extremes. Race, is only a small factor in how you might be treated though. For example, Black Canadian might be treated much better than a White American or Brit in most circumstances, but then you have neo's all over the place who will pretty much hate everyone especially those of a different race or color. It really defies description and I also suspect that anyone who goes there may have a completely different experience. I understand we're talking about the Soviet Union and not Russia, many things have changed but sadly some have not.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by burk48237

I suspect that most the players won't feel like partying after getting treatment for heat exhaustion anyway. What is the average temp for an outside sporting event in Qatar anyway, Like 120f? I'm sure the players from Norway and Finland will adjust to that climate real fast.

Qatar is very hot, but its important to remember that all but one or two of the stadiums planned to be used for the 2022 World Cup have not yet been built and the plan is that each of them will have cooling systems installed to mitigate the temperature. I don't think it would be possible to play football effectively in the average temp in Qatar for the tournament period which would be like 37celcius.

[Chris K]

I'm Dutch but I'm glad Holland&Belgium didn't get it. We're WC soccer crazy enough already without having to host it.

[EdHunter]

I cant quite post 100% of what I want to say about this on here for fear of banning...

But I shall say:
Wembley
Old Trafford
Emirates
St. James's
City of Manchester
Stadium of Light
Villa Park
Anfield
White Hart Lane
Bobby Moore
Viv Anderson
Gary Lineker
Alan Shearer
Paul Gascoigne
Pete Shilton
The FA Cup
Premiership
The most fun fans on Earth (seen footage of 2006?)

vs.

Lev Yashin
Astroturf
Oil Money

[jmattbassplaya]

Go Germany!

[CapnSev]

You mean the bid for a World Cup didn't end in a tie?

It's a Christmas miracle!

[TOOL460002]

as far as qatar goes... i mean, its a long way out, but the infrastructure to move, house, and feed that many people is going to take a lot. then, theyre going to still be an absurdly hot desert region with a bunch of soccer stadiums that they do what with?

also, at least in places like germany and south africa, tourists abound. theres plenty to see during your free time. ive been all over the world and have not been tempted, not once (couldve flown from nigeria or thailand... not really so far), to go to qatar. maybe theyre getting smart like the uae, and see oil dropping off in the next century, thus investing in tourism infrastructure (again, though, i just dont know what id go there to see or experience).

also, a quick google search told me that there are currently TWO shops in qatar that sell alcohol. now, apparently theyve announced they will allow it (and for israel to participate, which is the more worrisome of the two facts). the country is willing to compromise moral legislation for publicity and tourist dollars.

and, without getting too political, does anyone else see that particular region being absolutely safe and stable in a dozen years? i know its not qatar, but the iran-china-n korea stuff going on now just doesnt bode well. would you send your premiere athletes to qatar if theres a ground war in or around iran?

russia would be cool, though (plus i bet fifa gets a radioactive muffin gift basket from putin if they denied the bid... hehe... i kid...). im sure itll be in moscow or st petersburg, and thats going to be stable, with plenty to see outside of just the matches. russia makes sense.

lastly, to respond/derail on football/soccer... yes, football is the "sissy" one with pads that still dont prevent season/career ending injuries literally every week. just ask mrpackerguy. he knows a bit about that. hehe... okay, that all, just had to take my shot there (and at least only our receivers fish flop [sometimes], though some of them would make any soccer fan proud).

last question: does anyone know if they ever reverse these decisions? i mean, like i said, if there was a conflict nearby, what do you do? can you kevlar the top of a stadium? im not sure how that all works.

(oh- ps- if america DID put in a bid, what city would you propose?)

[IconBasser]

oh dear, Qatar? Looks like Ziltoid the Omniscient is going to be reigning over the 2022 world cup (see bio)

[jrthebassguy]

Originally Posted by TOOL460002

(oh- ps- if america DID put in a bid, what city would you propose?)

It's held in multiple cities across the country, dawg. The US 2022 bid had a list of cities chosen to host matches.