Will Qatar Survive As 2022 World Cup Host?
Moving forward from FIFA’s corruption issues will be difficult, whether Qatar has acted ethically or not
As all Gulf residents know the recently completed month of Ramadan was a time for reflection, moderation and altruism. If only such behavioral standards were in place at FIFA, then world football might not be mired in corruption charges. The beautiful game has lost its shine. Even the most ardent fans have expressed disgust. And the arts of damage limitation and crisis management do not seem to exist in the gilded playbook of FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
The Big Q: What does all this mean for the Middle East?
The Big A: With Qatar due to host the 2022 World Cup, the liberal media is out for blood.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state insists there was no underhandedness involved in its bid to host the international spectacle. Given the allegations against Mr. Blatter and FIFA, the media “bandwagon” thinks otherwise.
There can be no doubt that investigations into bribery will continue, and lawyers will make lots of money, right up until Y 2022.
So, for the next 7 years, the Sword of Damocles will hover above Qatar. If there was any dishonorable activity in the bid process whatsoever, a whistle-blower could emerge at any time to deliver the “smoking gun.”
Predictably, other footballing nations like the United Kingdom have already indicated their willingness to step in as hosts.
Let us hope that the democratic voting system FIFA did not descend into patronage or worse. For, even if the Qatar bid is clean, the nasty taste will remain at least until Mr. Blatter and his cronies have retired.
But, moving forward from this debacle will be difficult, whether Qatar has acted ethically or not.
The Y 2022 event will deliver a huge boost to the region if it goes ahead. While the return on investment is usually very small for World Cup hosts in the short term, the medium to long-term benefits could be huge.
Qatar will enter the public consciousness on a truly international scale. Other nearby tourist hubs such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman will receive a boost from the trickle-down economics in play, and the GCC will claim its place in footballing folklore.
In addition, during these times of conflict in the Middle East, the soccer tournament could provide a welcome distraction. It is also an opportunity for “Petro States” to use the sporting celebration as a springboard to rebalance their economies, to diversify beyond Crude Oil and Nat Gas to hospitality and more.
A scenario meaning the likes of Doha must follow the lead of Dubai in becoming tourist hot spots future-proofed from any global economic shocks coming down the line.
The FIFA corruption debate will rage on but so far Qatar remains the Y 2022 host nation, and ime will tell if this position is sustainable
By Dean Carroll
Paul Ebeling, Editor
HeffX-LTN
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