FIFA tells USA to be ready to accept the WC 2022 bid

[RegentDenali]

if it's stripped from Qatar amid the corruption claims.


According to Jorge Ramos of ESPN, FIFA called upon the United States to be ready if Qatar loses the 2022 World Cup.

Last month, FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted that choosing “high-risk” Qatar as the host of the the World Cup was a “mistake”, and the international federation is currently performing an investigation into possible corruption surrounding Qatar’s successful bid.

So far, five of FIFA’s six main sponsors have publicly issued statements of concern relating to the Qatar bid, with Visa’s chief marketing officer Antonio Lucio stating that he would expect FIFA to take “aggressive action” if any of the claims proved to be true.

Meanwhile, Qatar has denied any wrongdoing, including claims of bribery. FIFA’s report is set to come out next month.

 

[xpuctaqpGT]

We literally could host the cup on a moment's notice. We already have more than enough stadiums and infrastructure in place to host TWO world cups simultaneously. Particularly since World Cup Soccer is played in the summer when all of our football stadiums are unoccupied.

 

[Tainthappening]

I doubt FIFA makes the change... it will have to be at the urging of all the sponsors. Corruption is a way of life for them... here in Argentina where I live their soccer federation is equally as corrupt.

 

[olympicoscar]

This is great news for the US if it happens. Don't need to do much construction since we have tons of stadiums already in place. If I'm still alive, it'll be great.

 

[RegentDenali]

The 18 cities that were selected as final host locations with our original bid: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

Any of the NFL stadiums that sport field turf would have temporary grass fields installed, but that's not a problem in the least. College facilities like the Rose Bowl or the Coliseum would be the stadiums in LA that could be used, etc.... No problem.

All the stadiums, hotels, and infrastructure is already in place. The USA bid was the tops in 2022 anyway. It was shocking that they picked Qatar considering it was considered the "highest risk" ranking for about every category, including trying to host it in a location that can hit avg triple digits during the summer time. At least FIFA is finally admitting what everyone knew.

Too bad FIFA hosed the UK with the 2018 bid in retaliation because their press uncovered the corruption at FIFA. FIFA then awarded it to Russia.

Would like to see UK regain the 2018 bid as well, especially after Russia just invaded and annexed Crimea.

But the USA being awarded the 2022 WC would be a big step in the right direction by FIFA to clean up the mess.

 

[Airraidtech]

Blatter is a anti-yank. simple as that.

 

[RegentDenali]

Blatter is a anti-yank. simple as that.

Septic Bladder is an anti-american for sure. But the guy is in full back pedal mode right now and looking for a fix to this mess.

USA getting the 2022 is the right call.

 

[wildturkey]

Woot! Score one for public infrastructure! USA! USA!

 

[RegentDenali]

Unreal. Over 1,200 deaths related to the Qatar WC project have already occurred. That at least 1 worker a day dies and if they keep the bid, the death toll will reach over 4000.

 

[sjballer03]

Qatar a Questionable World Cup Host | FiveThirtyEight

 

[CalamityX11]

Also with brazil's delays and unfinished products, this only adds in favor of going to the USA. USA could host the cup right now lol...

 

[jonvi]

If corruption eliminates a country.....is the US eligible?

 

[StoningtonQB]

I wouldn't keep my hopes up. Nothing is reversible in sports no matter how heinous the crime. Qatar will host 2022.. Hundreds have already died building the stadiums.

 

[NDHoosier101]

Any country that doesn't allow you to show your knees or shoulders shouldn't have a international sporting event held there anyway, regardless of weather or corruption.

 

[StoningtonQB]

This report is simply not true. Numerous sources confirm:
Report: FIFA inquires about USA's availability to host 2022 World Cup | FOX Sports on MSN

Never trust an ESPN report. They fabricate news to impact or change the outcome of an upcoming game.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Hell, New York City alone could practically host the world cup right now. Metlife Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Citifield, Red Bulls Arena, Rutgers football stadium plus countless hotel rooms, buses, trains. 1 metropolitan area could do better than these 3rd world dumps.

Throw in Philly being just under 2 hours driving, 90 minutes by train and you have more than enough facilities.

 

[RegentDenali]

FIFA is the most corrupt org on the planet so don't expect them to make the obvious right call anytime soon.

They are facing a mountain of evidence against them but they don't give a shit. Once you move into the upper areas of that org, a nuclear bomb blast couldn't remove you from it no matter how corrupt you are or bad you are at the job. Every time their corruption and blatant votes for hire are exposed, they simply put themselves in charge of the investigation and then claim "No corruption here".

ESPN might of jumped the gun a bit with this report, but there is still a ton of smoke right now, and FIFA is looking for damage control. They don't want to be dealing with this while a WC is going on. Expect a more official decision about 2022 after Brazil is over.

 

[ladyrockess]

Well considering FIFA rammed through legal exemptions in Brazil to allow them to serve alcohol in stadiums only for the World Cup and only because Budweiser is a sponsor and was threatening to drop their support, if five of their six main sponsors are feeling itchy about Qatar I can certainly see there being enough smoke to be interested.

Can you imagine the potential for Budweiser if the Cup were moved to the USA? Advertising, revenue, etc? I imagine they'll put every ounce of pressure they can on FIFA...it's hard to promote alcohol in a dry country, I should think.

 

[night]

Well considering FIFA rammed through legal exemptions in Brazil to allow them to serve alcohol in stadiums only for the World Cup and only because Budweiser is a sponsor and was threatening to drop their support, if five of their six main sponsors are feeling itchy about Qatar I can certainly see there being enough smoke to be interested.

Can you imagine the potential for Budweiser if the Cup were moved to the USA? Advertising, revenue, etc? I imagine they'll put every ounce of pressure they can on FIFA...it's hard to promote alcohol in a dry country, I should think.

That's a good point. Crazy countries are bad for business.

 

[ladyrockess]

That's a good point. Crazy countries are bad for business.

Do you know the other five major sponsors? I assume Pepsi or Coke will be one of them for sure, although I imagine you can sell soda quite easily in a place like Qatar.