Qatar must share 2022 World Cup

Posted by: greydog Thursday, 7 March 2013 3:07 PM[UAE] - UAE

Platini is currently head of UEFA and hence not directly involved in FIFA decision making - but he is also a leading contender for the FIFA presidency when Mr Blatter finally resigns/retires in the next 2-3 years...

Posted by: Qatar Expat Thursday, 7 March 2013 9:14 AM[UAE] - Ireland

Qatar persuaded FIFA that the Stadiums and even fan zones could be airconditioned and this was accepted. Of course this can be done and Qatar has spent millions on the planning process for this. They have also started the planning for the infrastructure needed without any help from their neighbours. Of course the tournament could be shared but if FIFA wanted a joint bid this should have been done during the bidding process. Let Qatar continue, if the logistics are insurmountable early phase matches could be switched, this decision can be made any time in the next NINE years. I think in terms of common sense a winter tournament should be agreed and this would be better for everyone, let the process continue and let Qatar have the kudos for a successful tournament.

Posted by: Monkey Tennis Wednesday, 6 March 2013 2:51 PM[UAE] - UAE

Then...I read Hisham, Thamir and Qateris' comments and realised that I could, of course, be very wrong. What a shame if after the World Cup all that Qatar has left are empty hotels, unused transport systems and useless football stadia.

Posted by: Ammar Zubaid Ahmad Friday, 8 March 2013 11:48 AM[UAE] - Canada

1000 years? you have only been leading since 1750 onwards.

Posted by: Monkey Tennis Thursday, 7 March 2013 3:08 PM[UAE] - UAE

Please try to keep up - I said; "build its ties with, among other areas, the West". We are all well aware that in 30 year's time the might of India and China will have eclipsed the West and about time too; we're tired of having had to lead the way for the last 1,000 years - about time someone else took over the burden and these two nations are about to embark upon a most thrilling journey; it will be a pleasure to watch; nothing should stay the same for too long.

Posted by: Hisham Thursday, 7 March 2013 9:11 AM[UAE] - UAE

One thing you're definitely wrong on is the assumption that being involved in the West makes you part of the global community. The direction the global community is heading towards is less and less determined in the West. Like I said before, it is becoming an old fortified relic with old people running the show where there is only crisis management and no long term planning, the will to have free flow of goods but restraints on the the free flow of people, cuts on the most essential thing to a society; education and an overall population in it's twilight years with no fresh views and ideas. It might not be completely there yet, but it's surely getting there.

Posted by: Monkey Tennis Wednesday, 6 March 2013 2:51 PM[UAE] - UAE

I was actually an advocate for awarding the World Cup to the Middle East as the one region where football is supported and played that has yet to host it. I also see football as a global language capable of transcending all kinds of barriers between peoples and therefore a potential force for spreading tolerance and mutual understanding if only for 90 minutes at a time! Therefore I thought the Qatar World Cup was a very good thing, although it was clear compromises would need to be made for it to be successful due to the heat. I also assumed that 2022 and Qatari involvement in Spanish and French football was evidence that as a small, wealthy and ambitious country it wished to build its ties with, among other areas, the West and assume an important place in the global community; one of the many wise initiatives that the Qatari rulers use to promote and develop their country. Then...

Posted by: Donald Wednesday, 6 March 2013 8:55 AM[UAE] - Canada

I have lived in the Gulf region for the past five years, including six months in Qatar. It gets so hot in the Summer that you cannot even sit outside, never mind play football. These stadiums better be well air conditioned. But the Qatari restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol may turn out to be an even bigger issue than the heat for the fans. I am one of the skeptics.