Bound to get Freeper Heads exploding. The 2022 World Cup will be in....

[TheBigotBasher]

Qatar.

"An absolute monarchy, Qatar has been ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-19th century and has since transformed itself from a British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues."

Has got a cool stadium

[enlightenment]

1. Freeper heads?

More than just freeper heads.

The country doesn't have have enough venues; the stadium they have and the one's they will have to build will be completely indoors; they will not sell alcohol and they will arrest you for drinking or even carrying alcohol in public; the majority of their women are still veiled (will they request that female visitors cover up, too?); and to top it off - they openly and apologetically practice modern-day slavery.

Way to go, FIFA. Money talks. Principle walks.

[polly7]

14. They've already said alcohol will be allowed in designated areas.

Foreigners wear what they like.

[TheBigotBasher]

15. Hey it gives new meaning to watching the match

and going out on the lash after.

[postulater]

2. Freepers think the World Cup is a huge beer mug,

that football is an American sport, soccer is what you do to the wife when she starts talkin all women's lib and stuff, and that Qatar is what happened when you cracked her upside the head with your World Cup.

I don't think they'll notice.

[TheBigotBasher]

6. love that

[Blue_Tires]

3. i can understand wanting to expand to new markets, but

this is just a big WTF moment for me...

[polly7]

4. Expanding into new territory is an excellent way to

experience a completely different culture and understand one another better ... something we need so badly right now. I'm glad to see this, and excited for the people of Qatar (and Russia).

[Upton]

11. Exactly..

and the experience of a different culture is part of what the WC is all about.

[JackintheGreen]

5. Why would freepers care

about a sport that isn't popular in the U.S., certainly not among their ilk, and takes place on a world stage in which the U.S is hopelessly outmatched?

As much as your stereotypical freeper likes racing, do they watch Formula 1? You know, the one with the French cars?

[TheBigotBasher]

7. I'm sure they will see it as some big scary Islamic plot to take over the World.

[leftynyc]

8. Will women spectators

have to veil themselves? Will drinking alcohol be allowed? Will unmarried couples be able to walk around holding hands?

[Brewman_Jax]

9. I doubt it

they don't care about "them ferinners and that ferin sport" anyway. :P

[LeftinOH]

10. I'm not a freeper and I couldn't care less; I'm sure this doesn't even register with them..n/t

[AndrewP]

12. With Bill Clinton's and President Obama's efforts to get the Cup, today the will be happy

[ileus]

13. It's soccer....no one cares, especially freepers.

[TheBigotBasher]

16. It is football.

What is this Soccer you speak of?

[DavidDvorkin]

17. My son was stationed their during the first Gulf War

and found it a fascinating place. He said that the Western troops had no trouble and that the place is a mixture of ancient and modern. He didn't have time to explore, however.

[KamaAina]

18. FReepers might be pleasantly surprised by Qatar

http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGPOL300032008

In seven countries, consensual same sex relations can incur the death penalty. In Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (in the 12 states practicing Shar'ia law), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen -- men may be sentenced to death for homosexuality. In four countries (Iran, Nigeria -- in the states that apply Shar'ia law, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia), women may face the death sentence for lesbianism.

That should have been enough to disqualify them. :grr:

[rollin74]

19. +1

[enlightenment]

21. Not according to some here.

It's all good - human rights are oh, so relative - and hey, we kill people, too, so we can't say negative things about Qatar's report card on human rights.

[Blue_Tires]

20. actually Freeps will be happy since Obama is an undercover muslin

and this winning bid confirms it