Qatar? WTF?

[NewJeffCT]

How can a country of less than 1.7 million people even host an event as monstrous as the World Cup? You would need how many stadiums? 8 groups means at least 8 stadiums, right? How can they do that since almost the whole country lives in the capital city of about 1 million people? Are all the stadiums going to be in the capital city?

While I'm disappointed that the US did not get the bid, I can at least understand Russia - they have stadiums, a large population, a bunch of large cities with airports and hotels, etc.

[MikeFoxtroters]

1. Should be interesting

at the very least. Personally, I'd like to see the world cup take place on massive container ships fitted with playing fields. It would add so much to the World Cup experience. The movement of the ship, possible storms, ball retrieval from the ocean, sinking, pirates, the excitement of the whole thing would be increased exponentially.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. LOL!

[Systematic Chaos]

3. Welcome to DU!

That's one way to get people's attention!

Awesome post, +1!

:rofl:

[NewJeffCT]

5. at least they'd have the ocean breezes to cool them down

but, with Qatar being on the gulf, maybe they get some wind there...

[Kali]

12. ha

:thumbsup:

[MrCoffee]

13. Glorious...absolutely glorious

:applause:

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. I ranted about this a fair amount yesterday.

This would be like Orlando-Daytona Beach hosting the Cup. Or as someone else in the Lounge pointed out...the Maryland Shore.

I'm curious what they are going to do about their laws. Have they promised FIFA they'll do a month-long suspension of the no visible alcohol and no drunk in public laws?

Qatar competing in the Cup: If the U.S. qualifies I really hope they get drawn in the same Group. I'm seeing a 28-0 thrashing there.

[Blue_Tires]

6. Money, with a lot of ass-kissing and glad-handing behind the scenes

Yesterday's circus killed the myth once and for all that the selection has anything to do with "best bid"...Yeah, the USA got shafted, but England and Australia got straight up insulted with their vote counts (after spending $25 million and $44 milllion respectively for their bids)...I understand FIFA wanting to make inroads to the Middle East, but at least find someplace with some the slightest bit of soccer tradition and fan interest...But money talks, and Qatar is sitting on a enough of cash to build dozens of new hotels, rail lines and air-condition stadiums (which I read are going to be dismantled after the world cup? WTF is that about?).

And as I've said in other threads, if Qatar wants to buy or hustle their way into hosting the World Cup, then fine...But their shit national team should NOT get an automatic invite -- Let them qualify like everyone else.

And on another note, re-vamp the FIFA selection process and its transparency...And no more gravy train freebies when the selection members visit and get treated like royalty in the best hotels and restaurants...

[NewJeffCT]

7. I'd love to see how they air condition an outdoor stadium

isn't an open-air stadium one of the conditions?

[JonLP24]

8. Real grass

They played in the Pontiac Silverdome back in 1994 which is indoors. If I understand it correctly, you can have a roof but it must be played on real grass.

[Blue_Tires]

9. whole lotta fans...

"Each of the five stadiums will harness the power of the suns rays to provide a cool environment for players and fans by converting solar energy into electricity that will then be used to cool both fans and players at the stadiums. When games are not taking place, the solar installations at the stadia will export energy onto the power grid. During matches, the stadia will draw energy from the grid. This is the basis for the stadiums’ carbon-neutrality. Along with the stadiums, we plan to make the cooling technologies we’ve developed available to other countries in hot climates, so that they too can host major sporting events."

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/12/02/qatars-world-cup-2022-win-is-a-win-for-technology/

[Yavin4]

10. I'm Glad. This Is Good for the Arab World

For too long, the Arab world has been exploited for their natural resources and yet shut out from joing the rest of the world.

This is a huge step forward for all of mankind.

[NewJeffCT]

11. it is good for the Arab world

and, I finally learned how to pronounce Qatar - I had always thought it was "Kuh tarr" - rhymes with guitar.

However, I've heard numerous news reports that sound like "Kutter"

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. A lot of news sources say it like it rhymes with Butter

But in an interview with one of the gazillion Qatari princes, he pronounced it to rhyme with guitar.

I will wait to hear it pronounced by a falling-down drunk English or German soccer fan. Then I'll know.

:hi:

[ChoralScholar]

16. I've heard a few that sound like

Kotter...

as in the 70s television show "Welcome Back, Qatar"

[Rambis]

14. I like the idea of dismantling the stadia

and shipping them to poor countries but I question if they will be able to maintain them? They have the money to pull it off I just hope the heat issue is solved or players will die of heat exhaustion. No drink at the WC:crazy: