In the midst of arguably the biggest sporting event in the World, FIFA is undergoing some major damage control. Some of that damage control pertains to the 2022 World Cup and it’s host country of Qatar.
Thursday it was reported by ESPN’s Jorge Ramos that FIFA approached the United States’ World Cup organizing committee and notified them to be prepared in case the governing body decides to strip Qatar as the 2022 host. The speculation on Qatar’s possible loss of the 2022 cup comes in the wake of incriminating reports and allegations of worker safety in preparation of the event plus corruption and bribery to secure the bid.
Qatar ended up winning the vote over the United States in a 14-8 vote back in 2010.
Despite the speculation and report from Ramos, United States president of soccer Sunil Gulati denied that FIFA approached the U.S. committee about hosting the 2022 World Cup if Qatar was indeed stripped.
Sunil Gulati, flatly denied FIFA has approached them re: '22 WC. "They haven't asked us and I cannot imagine it happening anytime soon."
— Sam Borden (@SamBorden) June 12, 2014
Literally just spoke to Gulati, who was completely surprised by report. "Simply not true," he told @nytimes.
— Sam Borden (@SamBorden) June 12, 2014
The Ramos tweet was also deleted so it certainly seems like his own report was done prematurely. Either way though there’s still heavy scrutiny over Qatar and a vote still could come down regarding 2022 as early as September or October.
