Let’s Make A Deal

Once again FIFA, the governing body of soccer, proved to the world that it’s a Mickey Mouse organization — for my foreign readers that’s not a good thing.

Let's Make A Deal

Today FIFA announced Russia and Qatar as host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup respectively. OK, Russia in 2018, I get it. It’s a big-ass country; they used to be a super power. Russia winning the World Cup is like New Orleans winning the Super Bowl. I mean it’s not the most glamourous of places but you can freely pee in the streets; very important consideration for drunk soccer guy.

But Qatar? Really?!? This is exactly the kind of decision that prevents most US fans from latching on to soccer. You see in the United States we believe in hard work and those perform the best should win. No one believes Qatar’s bid in terms of ticket sales, broadcasting rights, licensing, hospitality or sponsorship opportunities matched the US bid; but that doesn’t matter. What does? Who knows.

When someone tells you that 2+2=5 you’ve gotta wonder what was it that you don’t know about the equation.

We all like a good underdog story in the US. Upsets on the field is one thing, but winning because of political favors just feels like we were out-sleazed. I’m hearing from reliable sources that FIFA Newton asked the US for $180K to bring the World Cup to the US.

So the 2022 World Cup, the world’s largest sporting event, will be held in a country about the size of Connecticut with a population smaller than Nebraska. Brilliant.