OT World Cup 2018/2022 (spoiler)

[rwsaunders]

Who said that money can't buy you love? 2018 Russia....2022 Qatar

http://www.fifa.com

[spartacus]

Qatar, an astonishing choice.

[tele]

Imho there is nothing shadier than Fifa.

Ok, maybe the Uci or the Ioc. Are they all same?

[JMerring]

Imho there is nothing shadier than Fifa.

Ok, maybe the Uci or the Ioc. Are they all same?

no, fifa definitely wins the shadeball contest, by at least a few soccer pitches. fifa also controls the better product (vis-a-vis ioc), so maybe it's a wash on that basis. uci is positively saintly next to both of them.

[AngryScientist]

thats disappointing, would have been nice to have it back in the US, but that's so far away, who knows where i'll be at that point.

i'm putting a serious plan together to see a game or two in Brazil in '14 :banana:

[rwsaunders]

thats disappointing, would have been nice to have it back in the US, but that's so far away, who knows where i'll be at that point.

i'm putting a serious plan together to see a game or two in Brazil in '14 :banana:

Rumor has it that Brazil is behind on facilities related committments (airports, fields, etc. and that England is waiting in the wings.

[JMerring]

Rumor has it that Brazil is behind on facilities related committments (airports, fields, etc. and that England is waiting in the wings.

there were similar rumours surrounding south africa's hosting almost until the tournament began. if south africa can do it, brazil sure as hell can.

[dcuper1]

This is good news.

Nothing is a bigger waste of taxpayer money than building stadiums. New Jersey residents are still paying for the old Meadowlands stadium and governor Christie doesn't want to build a new tunnel under the Hudson, but they sure have a nice new stadium. How many people benefited from both stadiums and how many would benefit from a tunnel under the Hudson?

The old Meadowlands stadium lasted 34 years, how many years does a tunnel last?

Oh, don't forget we have a new Yankee and Mets Stadium in the area, all backed by interest free bonds by the government, plus other perks. Of course City Hall got a lot back, premium parking and seating at Yankee Stadium for City Hall.

[dcuper1]

there were similar rumours surrounding south africa's hosting almost until the tournament began. if south africa can do it, brazil sure as hell can.

And Brazil can loose money just like South Africa. What a waste of money is hosting a World Cup.

A financial return on the new buildings is “impossible” because most soccer stadiums are used too infrequently, according to Paul Fletcher, a former commercial director of London’s Wembley Stadium.

“There are white elephant stadiums scattered around the world,” Fletcher said. “People always say ‘It won’t happen with us’ but it does and it will with Brazil.”

Private companies and Zurich, Switzerland-based soccer ruling body FIFA alone will profit from stadium investment, while taxpayers pick up the bill, according to Socrates de Oliveira, captain of Brazil’s 1982 World Cup team.

“The nation won’t get anything from the World Cup,” Socrates said in an interview.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-22/brazil-seeks-impossible-return-on-2-8-billion-world-cup-site-spending.html

[Elefantino]

Is there anything known by its initials that isn't shady?

At least in sports, I can't think of any.

FIFA, IOC, FIA, UCI, IAAF, ISU, ITTF (table tennis!), NFL, MLB, NBA, PBA, PBR, PB&J ... the list is long and nasty.

Money talks ... and it used to be our money. :o

[Blue Jays]

It shouldn't be that difficult to create contemporary venues capable of being utilized for a variety of sports, events, and shows.
Regardless of specific design, new ones should all have capability for a sliding dome at this stage of building large stadiums.

[fiamme red]

This is good news.

Nothing is a bigger waste of taxpayer money than building stadiums. New Jersey residents are still paying for the old Meadowlands stadium and governor Christie doesn't want to build a new tunnel under the Hudson, but they sure have a nice new stadium. How many people benefited from both stadiums and how many would benefit from a tunnel under the Hudson?

The old Meadowlands stadium lasted 34 years, how many years does a tunnel last?Speaking of Christie and the Meadowlands, he seems quite willing to help out the Xanadu mall project. And of course, he will never raise the NJ gas tax.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/nyregion/27Xanadu.html

The lenders are now hoping to strike a deal by the end of 2010 with a new developer and a new financial partner willing to put up more than $500 million to finish the five-story mall in the Meadowlands, six miles from Times Square.

“We’ve been working closely with the bank group in an effort to have a mutual accord on a new developer for the project,” said Jon F. Hanson, a top adviser to Gov. Chris Christie. “We are hopeful that, shortly, we can all agree as to who that developer will be.”

The difference this time is that the governor, who has made cost-cutting a hallmark of his administration, is willing to provide some low-interest financing and forgo sales tax revenues for a time, according to officials and executives involved in the talks. The plan is to resume work immediately so that the complex can open sometime in the second half of 2012.

[fiamme red]

Oh, don't forget we have a new Yankee and Mets Stadium in the area, all backed by interest free bonds by the government, plus other perks. Of course City Hall got a lot back, premium parking and seating at Yankee Stadium for City Hall.And how about the arena for the Brooklyn Nets (owned by a Russian billionaire), financed by over $500 million in tax-exempt bonds, and the despicable land grab that accompanied it?

[spartacus]

FIFA (with a Swiss accent is pronounced 'adidas', with the emphasis on the second vowel, as in 'monEy') is an oligarchy, like Russia and Qatar - it takes one to know... two.

[spartacus]

FIFA (with a Swiss accent it is pronounced 'adidas', with the emphasis on the second vowel, as in 'monEy') is an oligarchy, like Russia and Qatar - it takes one to know... two.

[wc1934]

home nation automatically qualifies - neither would make it on their own
The heat will be a factor - Qutar in June/July can get to 100 degrees.

England should have received more votes - were the heavy favorites - wonder how much of factor Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (Russian) played in the overall decision = money does talk

[93legendti]

Who pitched us as a Host Country for the World Cup?

[wc1934]

Who pitched us as a Host Country for the World Cup?

Bill Clinton
From SB Nation
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2010/12/2/1851091/world-cup-2018-announcement-president-obama-calls-qatar-choice-wrong-decision

AND
"Qatar, which committed to building nine new stadiums and renovating three grounds at a total cost of about $3bn, is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas and a major oil producer".

[rwsaunders]

home nation automatically qualifies - neither would make it on their own
The heat will be a factor - Qutar in June/July can get to 100 degrees.

England should have received more votes - were the heavy favorites - wonder how much of factor Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (Russian) played in the overall decision = money does talk

Temperatures in June-July range from 82-104 degrees F...Gatorade sales will hit the roof.

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city?LANG=en&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=41170&PAG=0&CONT=__&LEVEL=160&REGION=0018&LAND=__&INFO=0&R=0&NOREGION=0

[rice rocket]

It'll probably be fully air conditioned. I mean, hell, they have indoor skiing there, cooling a dome is cake.

[chuckroast]

Ummm, they are planning to air condition an outdoor stadium....

Reporters on the Qatar 2022 media tour this week were shown the new cooling technologies on Wednesday and given a detailed explanation on their workings.

“We have no problem cooling stadiums, we have no problem cooling outdoor spaces,” explained bid spokesman Nasser al-Khater.

“What we want to do now is to do so in an environmentally responsible way.”

The 'passive stadium
Qatar bid officials with FIFA inspectors at Al-Sadd stadium (WFI/J.Corbett)design' combines insulating properties in the stadium construction with a partly retractable roof, which keeps out heat and coolness in.

[93legendti]

[QUOTE=wc1934]Bill Clinton
From SB Nation
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2010/12/2/1851091/world-cup-2018-announcement-president-obama-calls-qatar-choice-wrong-decision...QUOTE]

He wasn't alone

Attorney General Eric Holder To Lobby FIFA Executive Committee On Behalf Of US World Cup Bid
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/11/29/ap/sportsline/main7100993.shtml

[goonster]

It behooves us to remember that the U.S. has hosted the World Cup before, and it was widely regarded as a great success. No new venues were constructed, but the existing stadia were big enough that the tournament's average and overall attendance continues to be unsurpassed (despite the number of games having increased).

I couldn't find any figures on whether the '94 World Cup was profitable for the organizers, but I also haven't heard a lot of griping about unrecovered costs.

There is only one reason Qatar got the nod: Mohammed Bin Hammam, head of the Asian Federation and FIFA exec committee member. This guy is one of the most powerful FIFA honchos, thanks to being a vote wrangler extraordinaire. Just like in the IOC, it's sickening to watch these guys cling to power for decades, almost completely unaccountable to anyone, until they are maneuvered out by the next guy.

[Louis]

it's sickening to watch these guys cling to power for decades, almost completely unaccountable to anyone, until they are maneuvered out by the next guy.

Hey, we're not supposed to talk about US politicians here... :p

[FL_MarkD]

I heard an interesting explanation of why FIFA might give Qatar the nod. Assuming all bidders did something to 'sweeten' the deal (read bribes) then why would Qatar get the World Cup? Because there is a long term stream of revenue from the payoffs involved in the groups that will build the new stadiums. Billions of dollars of construction projects tend to generate some paybacks to a number of decision makers. If the cup came to the US there is no need to build new stadiums, we already have them.

Mark

[Ozz]

...Because there is a long term stream of revenue from the payoffs involved in the groups that will build the new stadiums. Billions of dollars of construction projects tend to generate some paybacks to a number of decision makers. ...Mark
+1000

No one cares if the tournament makes money....the downside risk is born by the public of the host country.

[spartacus]

Just like in the IOC, it's sickening to watch these guys cling to power for decades, almost completely unaccountable to anyone, until they are maneuvered out by the next guy.

Charles Darwin would smile.

[spartacus]

I heard an interesting explanation of why FIFA might give Qatar the nod. Assuming all bidders did something to 'sweeten' the deal (read bribes) then why would Qatar get the World Cup? Because there is a long term stream of revenue from the payoffs involved in the groups that will build the new stadiums. Billions of dollars of construction projects tend to generate some paybacks to a number of decision makers. If the cup came to the US there is no need to build new stadiums, we already have them.

Mark

Yes, that theory holds... water. :beer:

I wonder who will be awarded the construction contracts?

I can hear the British media sharpening claws - let slip the dogs of war.

[GuyGadois]

I love traveling to world cups. I am looking ofrward to going to Brazil but I have no intention of going to Russia or Qatar. My traveling buddies all have the same option that we'll skip 2018 and 2022.

Gadois

[sg8357]

Oh, don't forget we have a new Yankee and Mets Stadium in the area, all backed by interest free bonds by the government, plus other perks. Of course City Hall got a lot back, premium parking and seating at Yankee Stadium for City Hall.

And you have people all over America saying Socialism doesn't work,
I guess none of them are sports fans.

Scott G.
In Cincinnati, home of the aptly named Cincinnati Reds, and two
new publicly subsidized stadia, that need an additional public bailout.

At least Qatar has a first class airline to get the fans there.

[goonster]

I am looking ofrward to going to Brazil but I have no intention of going to Russia or Qatar. My traveling buddies all have the same option that we'll skip 2018 and 2022.
As I understand it, current Russian visa requirements make it virtually impossible to follow your team at the World Cup beyond the group stages. Visitors to Russia need to provide a detailed itinerary, with fax confirmation from all hotels/hosts, before the entry visa is even issued. Regulations like that would not surprise me in 1980, but it's almost hard to believe that this is still required for travel to Russia today. (At least it appears to be required for U.S. citizens).

Surely Qatar, with this much lead time and sufficient funding, can host a successful tournament. No issue there. But consider that total attendance at the '94 event (3.6MM) was more than double the entire population of Qatar (1.6MM).

[JMerring]

As I understand it, current Russian visa requirements make it virtually impossible to follow your team at the World Cup beyond the group stages. Visitors to Russia need to provide a detailed itinerary, with fax confirmation from all hotels/hosts, before the entry visa is even issued. Regulations like that would not surprise me in 1980, but it's almost hard to believe that this is still required for travel to Russia today. (At least it appears to be required for U.S. citizens).

on behalf of a cash-strapped south africa with >25% unemployment and shiny new soccer stadiums that will likely never be used again, i hope you are right and it doesn't change. sepp could use some egg on his face.

[wc1934]

I love traveling to world cups. I am looking ofrward to going to Brazil but I have no intention of going to Russia or Qatar. My traveling buddies all have the same option that we'll skip 2018 and 2022.

Gadois

will they be able to sell beer at the games in qatar?