The Soccer Thread

[USSoccer]

Someone photoshop Xavi holding a barrel of oil instead of the Jules Rimet trophy.

In honor of Qatar's anti-alcohol beliefs, all future FIFA celebrations will look like this instead of using Champagne.

 

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm16/dhohulin/FIFA.jpg

 

Perfect.

[Exile on Waveland]

It's just so irresponsible. South Africa was risky. Brazil was risky. Russia is risky. But I undstand all of those. Qatar goes beyond risky into irresponsible. The political climate, the size, the weather, the infrastructure, the money (surely we all just learned how quickly wealth can dissipate), etc. It's just an awful decision that can only have been based on two things (i) butterfly chasing and/or (ii) bribes.

 

Edit: I forgot to mention travel. I was kind of hoping to attend every World Cup the rest of my life (perhaps optimistic; perhaps not), but who really wants to go to Qatar? I sure don't. For as expensive as it would be, I can't see it being worth it. I could see going to Israel and Egypt or something, and just flying into Qatar for a game or two. But, if you do that, you're touristing out-of-country and missing most the World Cup, which I love watching. So . . . figures to be the perfect World Cup to watch from the comfort of my own home. Doubt I'll be alone in that sentiment.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Exile on Waveland

[shnsajax]

Thats' awesome.

 

The Dow is now up 100 points upon hearing that oil still controls the world.

[wolf stansson]

Let's get rid of pk's in 2022 knock out rounds. Just play until someone scores or dies of heat stroke. Puts whole new meaning into "sudden death."

[ConstableRabbit]

Somewhat idea but I don't think players are going to die.

 

Didn't they say the stadiums would be air-conditioned? I'm thinking open air with AC like Chase Field is. It should be fine.

 

And there's no way alcohol is not served.

[Jon]

Somewhat idea but I don't think players are going to die.

 

Didn't they say the stadiums would be air-conditioned? I'm thinking open air with AC like Chase Field is. It should be fine.

 

And there's no way alcohol is not served.

But has there been any word of the training grounds being air conditioned?

[bukie]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

[ConstableRabbit]

Somewhat idea but I don't think players are going to die.

 

Didn't they say the stadiums would be air-conditioned? I'm thinking open air with AC like Chase Field is. It should be fine.

 

And there's no way alcohol is not served.

But has there been any word of the training grounds being air conditioned?

I don't know.

 

If I were running Qatar's World Cup, I'd make sure the training grounds were cool enough.

[wolf stansson]

Somewhat idea but I don't think players are going to die.

 

Didn't they say the stadiums would be air-conditioned? I'm thinking open air with AC like Chase Field is. It should be fine.

 

And there's no way alcohol is not served.

You're right. They already announced they'd compromise religion for economy and relax alcohol laws during the Cup. Also, I'm not worried about level of play, they'll get the stadiums cool enough. Qatar will spend any amount of money regardless of whether it's worth it, to make this Cup amazing. They are starving for an opportunity like this to show the West they are progressive, welcoming and relevant. They won't screw it up.

 

But I live in Phoenix. I've experienced long days in the sun and the dreaded desert summer drunk. It can break bad on you pretty easily. Some brit tourist is going to get loaded, pass out outdoors and die.

[Exile on Waveland]

Somewhat idea but I don't think players are going to die.

 

Didn't they say the stadiums would be air-conditioned? I'm thinking open air with AC like Chase Field is. It should be fine.

 

And there's no way alcohol is not served.

 

You know, I actually suspect you're right. It's risky because there could be an oil bust or something. But I bet the stadiums (and even practice facilities) get built, with air conditioning, and function pretty well. I think the players dying of heat stroke idea is hyperbolic and over played (probably knowingly so). The problem is, even if so, that doesn't answer the dozens of other questions surrounding Qatar. That's the reason it's so irresponsible.

[USSoccer]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

[ConstableRabbit]

Somewhat idea but I don't think players are going to die.

 

Didn't they say the stadiums would be air-conditioned? I'm thinking open air with AC like Chase Field is. It should be fine.

 

And there's no way alcohol is not served.

You're right. They already announced they'd compromise religion for economy and relax alcohol laws during the Cup. Also, I'm not worried about level of play, they'll get the stadiums cool enough. Qatar will spend any amount of money regardless of whether it's worth it, to make this Cup amazing. They are starving for an opportunity like this to show the West they are progressive, welcoming and relevant. They won't screw it up.

 

But I live in Phoenix. I've experienced long days in the sun and the dreaded desert summer drunk. It can break bad on you pretty easily. Some brit tourist is going to get loaded, pass out outdoors and die.

That is very true (and probably likely). Then again, you're not going to have a Brit tourist get loaded and wander into the wrong neighborhood and get robbed (or worse) like you might have in other countries.

[USSoccer]

Wahl says it was US/Qatar in the final round.

 

I'd love to see who hosed us...maybe it was Sepp with the tiebreaker.

[Exile on Waveland]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

 

Yup. They gave the World Cup to Connecticut. Except Connecticut is bigger. And has over twice as many people.

[shnsajax]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

 

They may not go public though it is thought they will. I'm sure the british press will get them some how regardless though.

 

Transportation is going to be the biggest problem. They are going to have to build additional airports just for the WC.

[ConstableRabbit]

It will definitely be interesting to see how the 2011 Asian Cup goes. Obviously a much, much smaller scale, but I'm interested nonetheless.

[ConstableRabbit]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

 

Yup. They gave the World Cup to Connecticut. Except Connecticut is bigger. And has over twice as many people.

But has 500x less money (no, really).

 

Come on, I was shocked and disappointed as well but this could be a pretty neat event.

[bukie]

I have a 3 year old that likes to play soccer. Maybe I could contact Qatar to see how much they'd be willing to pay for a verbal commitment to Qatar's 2022 national team.

[USSoccer]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

 

Yup. They gave the World Cup to Connecticut. Except Connecticut is bigger. And has over twice as many people.

But has 500x less money (no, really).

 

Come on, I was shocked and disappointed as well but this could be a pretty neat event.

 

Sure, if you like empty stadia. Or slave labor.

[Exile on Waveland]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

 

Yup. They gave the World Cup to Connecticut. Except Connecticut is bigger. And has over twice as many people.

But has 500x less money (no, really).

 

Come on, I was shocked and disappointed as well but this could be a pretty neat event.

 

Sure, I think they'll spend lavishly and it will be "neat." I just don't think the World Cup should be aiming for "neat."

[USSoccer]

I have a 3 year old that likes to play soccer. Maybe I could contact Qatar to see how much they'd be willing to pay for a verbal commitment to Qatar's 2022 national team.

 

It's going to be a South American best XI. 12 years is plenty of time to go buy off some parents from Argentina and Brazil to move there.

[ConstableRabbit]

I am sure that building 15 new stadiums, renovating 3, and making most of them portable over the next 12 years will happen just as designed in that youtube video without any issues, also.

 

Here's a fun exercise: try to find 15 sites in the state of Rhode Island to host games, plus sites for training grounds. All within the state border.

 

What a stupid idea. When do the vote rolls go public?

 

Yup. They gave the World Cup to Connecticut. Except Connecticut is bigger. And has over twice as many people.

But has 500x less money (no, really).

 

Come on, I was shocked and disappointed as well but this could be a pretty neat event.

 

Sure, I think they'll spend lavishly and it will be "neat." I just don't think the World Cup should be aiming for "neat."

Fair.

[jersey cubs fan]

time to invest in the water taxi construction business.

[wolf stansson]

Or slave labor.

At least the unemployed slave force in Dubai will have some work nearby now. Now Qatar can exploit them.

[shnsajax]

I have a 3 year old that likes to play soccer. Maybe I could contact Qatar to see how much they'd be willing to pay for a verbal commitment to Qatar's 2022 national team.

 

It's going to be a South American best XI. 12 years is plenty of time to go buy off some parents from Argentina and Brazil to move there.

 

[expletive] this is FIFA, they don't even have to move. Just pay for the processing fee of the paperwork + $10million and your done.