In Soviet Russia, World Cup hosts YOU!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/5874550/russia-wins-2018-world-cup-us-awaits-vote

ZURICH -- Qatar was selected as host of the 2022 World Cup, beating out a bid by the United States to bring soccer's showcase back to America for the first time since 1994. (...)

Minutes earlier, Russia was announced as host of the 2018 tournament. It was chosen over England and joint bids by Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.

Russia won despite the absence of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Zurich. At the last minute, he declined to make a final pitch for his country.

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. I can't help but think the FIFA officials aren't any better than the field officials in South Africa

Qatar is 7% the size of the state of Florida. It's smaller than 4 Rhode Islands. This ought to get interesting.

[elleng]

6. At Qatar airport,

free WiFi, free laptops, and FREE FOOD!

[Call Me Wesley]

2. And look what just now hit my email inbox:

***SPAM*** Информационная безопасность в Компании

Coincidence? I think not!

Russian chest kicks! :woohoo:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

3. "Information somethingsomething company".

Hey, it's a business opportunity! :silly:

[MiddleFingerMom]

4. Oh, GEEZ!!! In South Africa, they made all that OBNOXIOUS noise blowing vuvuzelas...

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...I can only IMAGINE what horrible, ear-piercing sounds are going to be created by all those Soviet fans blowing volgaboatmen.
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[JVS]

10. It's not going to be the music. It's going to be what happens when you put soccer fans...

in a country where the predominant form of alcoholic beverage is straight vodka.

[Blue_Tires]

5. Qatar?!? There's going to be an investigation into THAT reasoning...

To say nothing of the fact that unless their team starts importing Brazilians, they are absolutely stealing a bid from about 50 more deserving national teams...



2018 FIFA World Cup voting

Round 1: England 2 votes, Netherlands/Belgium 4 votes, Spain/Portugal 7 votes and Russia 9 votes (as no absolute majority was reached, the candidate with least amount of votes, England, was eliminated)
Round 2: Netherlands/Belgium 2 votes, Spain/Portugal 7 votes and Russia 13 votes (Russia obtained an absolute majority)


2022 FIFA World Cup voting

Round 1: Australia 1 vote, Japan 3 votes, Korea Republic 4 votes, Qatar 11 votes, USA 3 votes (Australia eliminated)
Round 2: Japan 2 votes, Korea Republic 5 votes, Qatar 10 votes and USA 5 votes (Japan eliminated)
Round 3: Korea Republic 5 votes, Qatar 11 votes, USA 6 votes (Korea Republic eliminated)
Round 4: Qatar 14 votes and USA 8 votes (Qatar obtained an absolute majority)

[MrCoffee]

7. I imagine we'll see some astonishingly rapid improvement in the Qatar national team

You can bet they'll start throwing money at football development starting tomorrow.

[Blue_Tires]

8. Still, if FIFA wants to pull this stunt and keep their credibility, then Qatar

should be made to go through qualifiers like everyone else...A country that has never been a serious player in their on confederation should never get a free ticket to the big show...

[Pacifist Patriot]

9. Not sure where my sister found this quote, but she sent this to me this morning.

"Qatar’s victory in the race to be awarded the 2022 World Cup was a triumph for spin over substance and leaves a black mark on FIFA’s already-besmirched name.In the hours after Thursday’s announcement in Zurich,... soccer’s governing body attempted to laud its decision as a bold step into new territory, a choice rich in foresight and legacy and adventurous spirit. In reality, it is perhaps the greatest folly of an organization that is so messed up that it can’t help but tarnish its reputation further with boneheaded decisions made for all the wrong reasons."

[Blue_Tires]

11. true

the English and Aussie papers have been even more direct with there statements...