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Out of all the countries bidding for the World Cup the two countries that should have gotten the bid did not. It was interesting as I was watching ESPN and they were talking about odds makers saying that they predict Qatar and Russia to win the 2022 and 2018 bids. The ESPN analyst very clearly said he didn't know where they are getting their information but he thinks they are way off. He then stated they would have to have a few people inside giving them information and the logical choice would be USA and England.
Well let FIFA not act logically, shall we. They already knew which countries they wanted. The individuals that run it want legacy's they want to say to their swanky friends "look at what I brought to the world."
Well you get what you ask for and in this case they are banking that Russia will complete a massive reconstruction of several airports in different cities.
Almost all their stadiums need to be rebuilt or completely made from scratch and the amount of money needed to do so will fall on the people of Russia. Ok, well good luck.
Then there is the country that beat America out of the 2022 bid, Qatar. Now in all honesty this one was only made for legacy, but what legacy will be left when it is done? Qatar is smaller than Connecticut, really only one city makes up the country and all 12 stadiums (maybe more if FIFA expands) will be within almost walking distance in some areas.
It's not even the logistics that really are the problem, heat ... no it can be managed it's the stadiums that will be built then taken down. That's right they will spend millions to build these air conditioned stadiums then deconstruct them and ship parts of them all over the world to impoverished countries for them to use, but not maintain. How nice is that.
So what's left after it's over? A Plaza or two for viewing Cup games for fans not in the stadiums? The middle east was primed for a world event but I think for something like this it just didn't make any sense to give it to them now. But, giving it to Qatar, China is now out of the mix for a 2026 World Cup bid. I say the U.S. go after that one. This side of the world should have it's turn by then.
One last interesting thing to look at, I was really looking forward to going to a world cup in my life time and now will not get that chance in my home country.
However, I have the fortune to of lived in Russia for a few years and could make a trip over yonder to see the great event since, "I got people."
Then again, if I wait I do believe the US will get a bid, at least while I'm alive, 2026 and 2030 are very good possibilities.
That is if FIFA doesn't suck more then it does already.
