Really FIFA?

While my blog has focused on Tim Tebow and his religious values, the announcement by FIFA that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup has me more than a little upset.

First, and most obvious, I'm upset because Qatar beat out the United States. The U.S. had been the odds-on favorite because A. Europe is hosting the 2018 World Cup (no continent can host consecutive World Cups), B. the 1994-U.S.-staged World Cup was the most attended EVER, C. the U.S. does not need to build new facilities,  D. do you know how much money would come out of hosting a World Cup in the world's richest and most developed country?, and E. it's the U.S.

But Qatar snuck in with a gaudy and emotional presentation about why the Arab world should host a World Cup.

Quick. $10 to the first person who can point out where Qatar is on a map. Qatar is a rich, oil and gas-producing country about the size of Connecticut, with a population around 1.3 million (half of which are non-natives). Yes, Qatar has the government-backing for the World Cup (something the U.S. did not necessarily have) and it has an abundance of money. Yes, Qatar's stadiums will be amazing, though 9 of the 12 still need to be built. Yes, FIFA wanted to continue it's endeavor of bringing the World Cup to new parts of the world (see South Africa, Brazil, Russia). But really FIFA? Qatar?

I don't care if Qatar builds air-conditioned stadiums to combat the 120-130 degree heat during the event. I don't care if the facilities will be absurdly nice.
I don't care that this will be the first major sporting event held in the Middle East.

What I do care about is the way this all went about. First, Qatar and the Spain-Portugal joint-bid for the 2018 World Cup have been accused of colluding to buy votes for the other to make sure they won. Really? Classy moves by both parties. Yes, FIFA did remove 2 members from its Executive Committee in response to these allegations, but I still don't buy that Qatar is innocent. Second, it seems a little fishy to me that Russia magically won the 2018 vote and President Putin was nowhere to be found, but suddenly is on a flight to Zurich as I write this, to celebrate. Corruption anyone? But what really bothers me, and the reason this is in a blog about religion and media, is what Qatar is changing to fit in.

Qatar is a Muslim nation. Muslims do not drink, at least not heavily. However, Qatar has said that it will allow more alcohol in the country for the World Cup. Cool selling point. Ignoring your religious values so that the rest of the world can party. And believe me, the World Cup is a giant party. Under sharia law, being drunk in public is a huge offense. Have you seen someone from the UK after a soccer match? Complete and utter shitshow. So I have zero respect for Qatar doing this. It's disgraceful that a country which has such deep religious roots would be willing to alter them just to host an event. I mean really Qatar?

So congratulations to FIFA for choosing four straight questionable locations for the World Cup: South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar. Really?

In case you were keeping tabs about how good the U.S. and Qatar soccer teams are, the U.S. is currently ranked 24th. Qatar is ranked 113th. Out of 203 nations. Really FIFA? At least we can watch Germany or Spain beat Qatar 10-0 in the first round.

This whole situation should be a "Really? With Seth and Amy" on Saturday Night Live.

Really? With Seth and Amy