First and most obviously it is hot in Qatar; but really hot in June and July when the Cup is played. Average summer highs are 106F (41C). But rest assured it is a dry heat. Clearly this is an issue the Qatar bid must have addressed. Their solution is a series of solar-powered air conditioned stadia. That would be fine except how do you get to the cool stadia from your hotel? And if you look even more closely at the designs, most are ringed by seas of asphalt for the parking. So now you have thousands of spectators parking in the desert being asked to walk across the hot asphalt to reach the cool stadium. If they don't pass out getting there the temperature shock in the stadium will do them in. Secondly, where will the teams train? Are there going to be secondary air conditioned training facilities to accommodate all the teams, cause I am confident the English won't be hitting the training pitch in those conditions. These conditions are so horrid members of Qatar's own Confederation have suggested moving the tournament to December.
Qatar did a nice job of demonstrating how sustainable this game can be. The air conditioned stadia powered by the sun. The compact size of the country (about the size of Phoenix) allows all the games to take place in a small area. Now if only the English language had a word to describe this...oh wait it does...greenwashing. The South Africa World Cup attracted around 400,000 visitors. All of these visitors need places to stay, shop, and eat. And all of these places need to be air conditioned. So you are going to see a 30% increase in energy demand alone just for the visitors. Then you plan on dismantling your stadia and sending them around the world, thus consuming yet more energy to ship this behemoths. All I have to say to FIFA is if you thought a tournament in the desert in July sounds smart you should have come to the Far West Regional Tournament in Vegas. The players cleats were melting...MELTING!
In relation to many Middle Eastern states, Qatar is quite liberal. But is it willing to challenge their cultural ideology to welcome the world within their borders? After announcing the bid their was concern raised by Israel, who feared their nationals would not be permitted to enter the country. Currently, persons with any visible connection to Israel on their passport are denied entry to the country. Women have also voiced concern. Their dress must remain "modest" (covered legs and sleeved shirts). But more importantly was the gender bias of the legal system. By Western standards women are not afforded nearly the rights that men are. Lastly, homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. When Sepp Blatter was specifically asked about this issue, he coyly told them not to engage in sexual acts while attending the Cup. Thanks Sepp, but that sounds pretty GAY. You expect a bunch of gays to just stand by and cheer loudly when their team wins the Cup? I don't know about the rest of you, but if I was at the World Cup and the US won I would grab the nearest girl and make out with her. But not to fear, the oppressive alcohol laws nearly ensure no one will be celebrating with an adult libation. First you need to secure a permit. Consumption can only take place in a designated restaurant or your hotel room. Then you have to stake out in the putrid 100+ degree heat in search of one of two liquor stores in the country. I imagine the line is going to be pretty long. As a side not it might be a good business move to establish a counterfeit alcohol permitting booth just around the corner from these stores. And after I do walk the miles from my car to the stadium, the heat exhaustion setting in, I won't be allowed to purchase an ice cold beer inside. Well, I guess it is safe to say there will be no drunk Israeli lesbians in mini-skirts at the Cup.
Qatar National Team:
As hosts Qatar gets an automatic birth to the World Cup. At first I wasn't even certain they had a national team. Yup, the team currently ranked #114 in the world gets to be in a tournament of the best 32 teams in the world. They are just slightly worse than Wales and only marginally better than Suriname. This past cup South Africa became the first host nation in the history of the game to fail to advance out of group play. South Africa is ranked #51. Well, fingers crossed the US gets drawn into the group with Qatar, cause this is the quality finishing we get to look forward to seeing. Perhaps the game looks better when you are suffering sun stroke with your sober male friends and you can't spot a woman cause they are all "modestly" dressed.
Simply this was what Sepp Blatter wanted. And what Sepp wants Sepp gets. Whether or not this is a feeble attempt to win a Nobel Peace Prize is unsubstantiated. Bravo FIFA, bravo. Levi out!
And now an update. This just keeps getting better.
