kimilseung

Being a bit nerdy, I went and had a look at their squad and only 2 of 21 are Mohammed, I was expecting a bunch of Brazillian names, as I have heard rumors of fast track passports for those with the right skill set.
but, after a quick look only Sebastián Soria (Uruguay) seems to be the only South American with caps

iaink

Cant imagine Motty coming out of retirement for it, but Qatar would be no different to Iran, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia or any of the other predominantly muslim nations who have competed in the world cup before

JamesM

I really felt for the Australians. They also have some good stadiums already so wouldn't have to break the bank too much to build new ones.

I don't know why England don't get togethar with some other nations and say get lost FIFA we are forming a new world body. I mean really other than draconian laws, fixture arranging and dodgy executive committee what is FIFA's role in the modern game and how wide reaching is it?

A body filled with a European, North American and Australasian Executive committee with better corporate governance would be selfishly in our favour but who cares if we have a better chance of staging the event and we do not send the World Cup to far flung places who have invest millions and millions.

FIFA without the support of major western nations would be done.

Let's finish their pointless monopoly.

kimilseung

It would end up like boxing with four world champions and a unifying match every twenty years.

JamesM

It's a fair point. We would have more chance of winning too though- both staging and the competition. And with more TV and sponsorship money involved it would be the most highly regarded event. Just have to keep China and India involved as they develop.

kimilseung

You've just won me over.

Oink

We should just invite Brazil and Argentina to the European championships as they're the only other non European countries that have a realistic chance of winning, and be done with FIFA.

iaink

A "world cup" without half the world there would be a lot like the "World Series" in baseball, and you know how we europeans love to beat up the americans about that.

No, fix Fifa from within. We cant be the only people fed up with the corruption and incompetence can we?

kimilseung

This of course does have precedents.
Khazakhstan and Israel compete in UEFA (The Aussies ar now asians too)
and South America regularly invites Mexico and USA to compete in the South American championship.

Oink

Bring it on then. Lets see Blatter try and drum up interest/sponsorship when they stage it in Paupa New Guinea without any of the big teams participating.

mattieuk

I would relish a holiday in PNG more than Qatar to be honest.

kimilseung

Does not have to be called a world cup, as long as the best teams are taking part. There are no problems in the winners of the Champions League in being viewed as the best club team in the world, as the best teams are all european (this was not the case a couple of deades ago, but is now) No need for FIFA's joke club world cup tournemant.

(I am surprised how quickly I have been won around to this idea)

jimf

I think Australia and USA were the wrong end of an even bigger stitch up than England. Its one thing to loose out to Russia which has a respectable football track record even if it is run by the mafia, but to loose to Qatar beggers belief. In 12 years time Iran will no doubt have nuclear weapons and will be in a position to do some muscle flexing around little Qatar.

If there is a group of countries that feel strongly enough its quite possible that another body could be formed to host another tournament. Time to step forward England FA with all your millions. Host an invitation international tournament with huge prize money and see whos interested.

FWIW I will not be buying any FIFA branded junk ever again.

jimf

In September, Telegraph Sport revealed that Makudi was part of a vote-trading alliance between Spain-Portugal and Qatar that he was highly unlikely to abandon.

Last month he telephoned Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards, who is also chair of the Club England board, to ask if the game would be honoured even if he did not vote for England.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...id-defeat.html

JonboyE

Harry Rednapp? Complaining about dodgy deals in football?

Ha!