The Rant: The Game is NOT in US

The United States’ tagline for their presentation to the FIFA committee in their attempt to secure either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup was: The Game Is In US. This, of course, is a clever usage of our country’s initials to strongly demonstrate the United States’ ability to host the premier sports event in the world. It suggests that the game is part of our livelihood (though the general popularity of soccer lags). It suggests that we have the “game” in us, a nice sports euphemism for confidence to host perhaps the greatest and most profitable world cup in history.

But alas, the FIFA committee would rather have money lining their pockets now than in 12 years. They cared very little whether the game was in the US, Austrialia, Japan, or anyone else (not including Russia, who will host in 2018, congratulations to them). Rather, they cared about their pockets.

The 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar. Yes, you read that right.


This will be FIFA’s first venture into the Middle East, and that makes for a great story, but Qatar? A country that is a bit smaller than Connecticut? A country with a population that just eclipsed 1 million at the end of this decade?

The US said it could sell over 5 million seats if it hosted the World Cup. 5 times the population of Qatar.

And if you thought the chilly nights in South Africa were interesting, Qatar boasts an average high of 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Maybe add a few to the average since the Earth is getting hotter and we’ll be getting close to 120 F in no time. And if you look at the map, you see it is next to water. It’s going to be a muggy 115 F.

Either way, this decision has convinced me that FIFA just may be the most corrupt sports organization in the world, and that’s including Italian soccer.

Are all games going to take place at like a youth league soccer complex? Are they really going to have 7 different stadiums in such a small space? Are they going to play on dirt? How could they say no to Morgan Freeman?

I just don’t understand. At least traveling to different games will be easy, right? If you don’t pass out from dehydration.

smallheap.jpg image by jmooser