Don't like the Arsenal Khedira move as a CFC fan. Arsenal are loading up.
Wasn't on Messi's transfer rather other youth players they purchased and how they did it.
I read that there is a fair amount of animosity in Argentina towards Messi because he didn't live there as a teenager and for not playing for Argentina prior to the U20 age group due to restrictions placed on him by Barca. He actually could have played Internationally for 3 Countries: Italy (grandparents lineage), Spain (residence) and Argentina (birth nation). He chose Argentina. Not sure what the fuss is all about. He's given his all to his Country. I'm afraid that when all is said and done though, he will be compared to Baggio - the greatest player of his time who never quite was able to lead his Country to the trophy.
This is going to be crap show. I can't wait for Platini-Blatter election for FIFA President. Platini seems very likely to cram the winter WC on the European leagues while Blatter has stayed quieter on this because he wants to win the election. Blatter has quietly buying the African region while Platini has bought Asia by supporting this winter WC. This election will likely be decided by UEFA and CONCACAF.
Sadly, there aren't much options... I would love to see China host one. I love it there and would go back in a heartbeat. Japan would be a good spot as well, Saudi wouldn't be bad. But I agree UAE would be the spot that makes the most sense.
Japan Korea co-hosted 2002.
As someone who has lived in Saudi Arabia and worked for the Saudi government, I can assure you that there is NO POSSIBLE WAY that KSA could ever successfully host the World Cup. None. Zilch. Nada. It would be a disaster. I assure you that it would be VERY bad.
Fill me in
True. Before I watched soccer (2006 wc first time really). Thought it was just Korea! I want one in China, badly... Favourite country in the world to visit.
Yeah, the people in SA wouldn't allow the World into SA I would think. The people are very religious and FIFA having deals with Budweiser wouldn't sit well with the Saudi people. The Saudi government cracks down hard on its people. The only Mideast countries possible would be UAE or Algeria. Egypt no, Saudi no, Iraq no, Israel no, Syria no, Jordan, Qatar IMO no.
Fill me in
Bahrain is an island nation connected to Saudi Arabia by an expansive bridge. I was in Saudi during the Arab Spring, which included protests in the Bahraini capitol of Manama. The ruling family, the al Khalifas, forcibly quashed the uprising and the Saudis rolled tanks onto the causeway to ensure there was no spillover into the kingdom. This was a HUGE problem for the Saudi people because the weekend adventure of choice for many Saudis is to drive to Bahrain to binge drink and score chicks. Despite being guilty of numerous human rights violations, Bahrain remains a close US ally as it is the headquarters for the US Navy's fifth fleet. The word "Bahrain" means "two seas" in Arabic, though I don't know what two seas it refers to since it's right on the Persian Gulf. Several members of the al Khalifa family were in Syracuse a few weeks ago to compete in a triathlon.
Yeah I agree I wouldn't bring the World Cup to Algeria or UAE. Turkey is the best because the Turks want to be part of the EU and Ataturk really wanted Turkey to be Western. They hosted the Basketball World Championships in 2010 and they could host the World Cup IMO they are part of UEFA as well.
One-sided love affairs seldom turn out well.
Do you even follow this? EU has accepted Turkey's application in 2005. Right now Turkey is a provisional member and becoming a full member takes about a decade to become fully integrated: Turkey needs to pass 33 of 35 EU standards right now Turkey has a couple of them to go and they should be EU members in the near future. Germany is a strong advocate for Turkey while France is their biggest opponent outside of Greece/Cyprus.
As someone from a country with a large Turkish population which has not integrated well and is responsible for much of the country's criminal activities, yes, I do follow this.
