Qatar? Seriously, Qatar?

ShootyBabitt

The US lost their bid to host the 2022 World Cup to a tiny Middle Eastern country with summer temps topping out at 130 degrees. Enjoy yourselves, soccer fans!

What a joke.

Barndog

indeed. It is popular worldwide to dislike the US.

mcadams

<< <i>indeed. It is popular worldwide to dislike the US. >>



Just because the World Cup won't be here in 2022, I think its a bit of a stretch for you to surmise that it was all due to people disliking the US. Its not as if the US is so dominant at soccer, that one should just expect this country to be "THE" world destination for the sport. I am not surprised at all that the US wasn't chosen.

ShootyBabitt

It's not so much that the US didn't get it, but it seems like anywhere would have been a better choice than Qatar. It's a tiny country that is hot as hell in the middle of the summer.

hhmag70

They have an average high temp of 115 in July, but it is a dry heat so it's all good

jradke4

who really watches soccer here in the US anyway.

RonBurgundy

Well, Qatar hasn't been on the world stage for awhile so it might be time. Welcome back Qatar!

There's some triple diamond premium, handcrafted content from the Burgundy vault.

Blacklabelsociety

Soccer is a good sport but thank god for football.

stevek

How come there's no u after the Q?

CEOBIDMC

Soccer is wonderful excercise for the players, lots of running around, very little scoring; excellent for viewers at home to catch some zzz's with the volume off. Also all the players deserve emmy's for their acting ability when it comes to faking injuries.

72skywalker

<< <i>Soccer is a good sport but thank god for football. >>



Soccer is the real football.

CEOBIDMC

not in this country
Soccer is a participation sport for kids who can't play the other sports.

Goot

<< <i>not in this country
Soccer is a participation sport for kids who can't play the other sports. >>



We already had this debate, you're late to the party.

Enjoy

Boopotts

<< <i>not in this country
Soccer is a participation sport for kids who can't play the other sports. >>



Nothing beats listening to representatives from one of the most obese nations in the world prattling on about what constitutes a 'real' sport. It's ninety minutes, you get three subs. Good luck with that. We'll just ignore, for now, that about 80% of the athletes you guys so revere-- you know, real triathletes like CC Sabathia, Kung Fu Panda and Prince Fielder-- couldn't last 10 minutes on a soccer pitch without begging for the defibulator. How baseball players can be lionized at real athletes, while soccer players can be regarded as uncoordinated fools who couldn't make the grade in a 'real' sport, is completely beyond my comprehension, but I guess this is the kind of logic we can expect in a country where 93% of the populace is still a little unsure about who our first four presidents were

With respect to the Qatar bid, it has nothing to do with FIFA hating those big, bad bullies from the U.S. It's a cash grab, pure and simple. The underbelly of FIFA makes the NCAA look like an athletic association run by choir boys. Anytime something completely off the wall happens in soccer-- like, say, teams in Serie A hand-picking the arbitos for their home games-- you can be sure a few clams were passed under the table.

ajaan

<< <i>With respect to the Qatar bid, it has nothing to do with FIFA hating those big, bad bullies from the U.S. It's a cash grab, pure and simple. The underbelly of FIFA makes the NCAA look like an athletic association run by choir boys. Anytime something completely off the wall happens in soccer-- like, say, teams in Serie A hand-picking the arbitos for their home games-- you can be sure a few clams were passed under the table. >>


Truer words have never been spoken.

CEOBIDMC

I did not say that soccer players are not athletes, they are in remarkable physical condition and their acting skills surpass even Jeter! It's great that the fat kids get to run around and get exercise.

mcadams

<< <i>

<< <i>not in this country
Soccer is a participation sport for kids who can't play the other sports. >>



Nothing beats listening to representatives from one of the most obese nations in the world prattling on about what constitutes a 'real' sport. It's ninety minutes, you get three subs. Good luck with that. We'll just ignore, for now, that about 80% of the athletes you guys so revere-- you know, real triathletes like CC Sabathia, Kung Fu Panda and Prince Fielder-- couldn't last 10 minutes on a soccer pitch without begging for the defibulator. How baseball players can be lionized at real athletes, while soccer players can be regarded as uncoordinated fools who couldn't make the grade in a 'real' sport, is completely beyond my comprehension >>



And I'm sure Ronaldo could step into the batters box and hit a 98 MPH fast ball 375 feet....C'mon now. Baseball is a skill sport, soccer is a contest for who can run 100 yards sprints for 90 minutes without collapsing. I guess there may be some skill in there too- like who can kick the other guy's shin's the hardest or how fast someone can take their shirt off after scoring in a 1-0 match.

Blacklabelsociety

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>not in this country
Soccer is a participation sport for kids who can't play the other sports. >>



Nothing beats listening to representatives from one of the most obese nations in the world prattling on about what constitutes a 'real' sport. It's ninety minutes, you get three subs. Good luck with that. We'll just ignore, for now, that about 80% of the athletes you guys so revere-- you know, real triathletes like CC Sabathia, Kung Fu Panda and Prince Fielder-- couldn't last 10 minutes on a soccer pitch without begging for the defibulator. How baseball players can be lionized at real athletes, while soccer players can be regarded as uncoordinated fools who couldn't make the grade in a 'real' sport, is completely beyond my comprehension >>



And I'm sure Ronaldo could step into the batters box and hit a 98 MPH fast ball 375 feet....C'mon now. Baseball is a skill sport, soccer is a contest for who can run 100 yards sprints for 90 minutes without collapsing. I guess there may be some skill in there too- like who can kick the other guy's shin's the hardest or how fast someone can take their shirt off after scoring in a 1-0 match. >>



Indeed. I think they should shorten the playing field in soccer. Soccer is fun to play but boring to watch with the little scoring. It will never get high ratings in north america. Its just too boring to watch compared to football.

stevek

<< <i>but I guess this is the kind of logic we can expect in a country where 93% of the populace is [L=still a little unsure about who our first four presidents were]http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/civics-education/what-americans-dont-know-about.html >>



Yea, but thank goodness the kids know all the pot odds in Texas Holdem poker.

jradke4

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>not in this country
Soccer is a participation sport for kids who can't play the other sports. >>



Nothing beats listening to representatives from one of the most obese nations in the world prattling on about what constitutes a 'real' sport. It's ninety minutes, you get three subs. Good luck with that. We'll just ignore, for now, that about 80% of the athletes you guys so revere-- you know, real triathletes like CC Sabathia, Kung Fu Panda and Prince Fielder-- couldn't last 10 minutes on a soccer pitch without begging for the defibulator. How baseball players can be lionized at real athletes, while soccer players can be regarded as uncoordinated fools who couldn't make the grade in a 'real' sport, is completely beyond my comprehension >>



And I'm sure Ronaldo could step into the batters box and hit a 98 MPH fast ball 375 feet....C'mon now. Baseball is a skill sport, soccer is a contest for who can run 100 yards sprints for 90 minutes without collapsing. I guess there may be some skill in there too- like who can kick the other guy's shin's the hardest or how fast someone can take their shirt off after scoring in a 1-0 match. >>



Indeed. I think they should shorten the playing field in soccer. Soccer is fun to play but boring to watch with the little scoring. It will never get high ratings in north america. Its just too boring to watch compared to football. >>



also it takes quite a bit of skill to flop like most of them do.

CrimsonTider

Bummer! I was praying that we would get the World Grass Kicking Championships here. Really, does anyone care that we did not get the World Cup?

The only good thing I can say about soccer is, if I had a son I would rather he play soccer than be in the marching band.

mcadams

<< <i>Bummer! I was praying that we would get the World Grass Kicking Championships here. Really, does anyone care that we did not get the World Cup?

The only good thing I can say about soccer is, if I had a son I would rather he play soccer than be in the marching band. >>



Indeed....Indeed.

benderbroeth

<< <i>who really watches soccer here in the US anyway. >>



yup

markj111

<< <i>The US lost their bid to host the 2022 World Cup to a tiny Middle Eastern country with summer temps topping out at 130 degrees. Enjoy yourselves, soccer fans!

What a joke. >>




It's soccer. Who cares? Does it matter to Americans where it is? If the soccer governing body wants to put it there, who am I to object?

FFStinger

2022??? Do people really have nothing else in the next 12 years to worry about a little more than where the world cup will be?

VikingDude

A friend of mine has lived in Qatar for a couple of years. He said that the news was HUGE with public celebrations everywhere! Now if it was announced that the US was hosting, what celebrating would there be here? Even in the host city, most people would probably not even care (they would just think of the inconveniences).

I don't care for soccer at all. Let Qatar be happy.

jdip9

The issue is much less about the US not getting it than it is about Qatar hosting it. I'm sorry, but the fact that the biggest sporting spectacle in the world (yes, even bigger than the Super Bowl) is going to be played in a country that 90% of the world's population probably can't pronounce correctly and 99% percent would need at least 10 minutes to find it on a world map is an absolute joke. Add in the fact that the country doesn't have infrastructure in place to support the number of people that will be visiting and that temperatures will be in the triple digits the entire time, and the end result is the most miserable sporting event since the Jacksonville Super Bowl, which by all accounts, was a logistical nightmare.

bxb

What's qatar?

I thought that's the stuff that builds up on your teeth.

hhmag70

Just read a headline on Foxsports mentioning the FIFA chief asking all gay soccer fans to refrain while in Qatar for the World Cup.

Goot

<< <i>Just read a headline on Foxsports mentioning the FIFA chief asking all gay soccer fans to refrain while in Qatar for the World Cup. >>




Because Homosexuality is "banned" in Qatar...




<< <i>
Asked whether gays and lesbians should worry about attending the World Cup in Qatar because of its hostile attitude towards homosexuality, a smiling Blatter quipped: "They should refrain from any sexual activities."

He swiftly went on to say FIFA would not tolerate any form of discrimination and that he was sure everyone would be able to attend and enjoy the World Cup in Qatar.

"We are definitely living in a world of freedom and I'm sure when the World Cup will be in Qatar in 2022, there will be no problems," said Blatter who was in Johannesburg to promote the legacy of the game in South Africa following the 2010 tournament.

"You see in the Middle East the opening of this culture, it's another culture because it's another religion, but in football we have no boundaries.

"We open everything to everybody and I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings be it on this side or that side, be it left, right or whatever."

"I think there is too much concern for a competition that will be done only in 12 years.

"What we want is just to open this game to everybody and open it to all cultures and this is what we are doing in 2022." >>

stevek

Those "dirty, hook-nosed, money-hungry world dominators" Jews better watch out as well......

Anti-Semitic Cartoons in Qatar's Al-Watan

Anti-Semitic stereotypes continue to be prevalent in cartoons published in the Qatari newspaper, Al-Watan. These cartoons demonize Jews, often depicting them as dirty, hook-nosed, money-hungry world dominators.

Although newspapers in Qatar are all privately owned, many board members and owners are either government officials or have ties to the government. Al-Watan's chairman, Hamad bin Sahim al Thani, is a member of the royal family. Qatar's Foreign Minister, Hamed bin Jasem bin Jaber al Thani, owns half of the newspaper.

Below is a sampling of the most offensive anti-Semitic cartoons from Al-Watan. A common theme in many of these cartoons is that Jews are behind U.S. policy in the Middle East, in particular, the recent tension between the U.S. and Syria following the war in Iraq.

yawie99

Barcelona selling jersey sponsorship rights to the Qatar Foundation is a much greater outrage than Qatar hosting the World Cup. I'm not a Blaugrana fan, but their home kit is quite classy. The mock-ups for next year are hideous.

Tough loss at Old Trafford today, Boo.

ajaan

<< <i>Tough loss at Old Trafford today, Boo. >>


I watched the second half. The Gunners looked terrible.

yawie99

I know he's battling injuries, but Cesc has turned into a liability this year. Very careless with possession yesterday. And I don't know what's with Arshavin. The match itself, though, wasn't the cracker I was expecting. And for United still being undefeated, the EPL is still pretty wide open.