FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s announcement that the 2022 World Cup would be hosted by Qatar was a slap in the face to American soccer fans.
The United States was prepared to cement its place as a legitimate soccer power with its 2022 Cup bid, which by all accounts was without any major deficiencies. Instead, FIFA denied us, a devastating blow to the growth of soccer in this country. Some have dealt with the decision by accusing FIFA and the Qatari bid committee of bribery and backroom deals, but no amount of whining will change the unfortunate reality that Qatar will host and the U.S. will not.
After this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, soccer was poised to take a momentous step forward in America. Landon Donovan’s exhilarating stoppage time goal against Algeria to secure Team USA’s advancement to the second round was arguably the sporting highlight of the year. Meanwhile, U.S. television coverage set countless records for viewership, with the finals between Spain and the Netherlands becoming the most watched soccer match ever. In the wake of the World Cup, the coverage of the sport’s club season has never been greater, with matches from the top European leagues available on numerous cable channels.
Soccer has certainly come a long way since the first time the U.S. hosted the World Cup. When it held the competition in 1994, MLS had yet to be formed and Team USA had not been close to competitive on the world’s biggest stage since a shocking 1-0 victory over England in 1950. Since the 1994 World Cup—which still holds the distinction as the most attended World Cup in history—U.S. soccer has improved exponentially, with the subsequent development of MLS and an increased migration of American players to European clubs strengthening the talent pool for the national team.
Another World Cup would surely increase America’s appetite for the sport. Still, America loves a winner. If soccer ever wants to compete with more established sports, the national team needs to make a big impact at a World Cup, perhaps even win it.
The year 2022 looked like the right time to do so. Throughout the history of the World Cup, host nations have performed extraordinarily well, winning six times in 19 tournaments and usually fairing no worse than a quarterfinal appearance. As hosts, the U.S. would have been a team to fear, potentially replacing the memory of Donovan’s goal with an American captain hoisting the trophy in the Rose Bowl.
Last week’s decision ensures that America is unlikely to realize these dreams anytime soon. Instead of a home-field advantage, Team USA will probably face some of the tournament’s most hostile crowds when it takes the field in Doha. The U.S. remains a safety net for FIFA as a backup host if Qatar or Brazil, which is hosting the tournament in 2014, cannot fulfill their commitments. But Americans should not get their hopes up. FIFA has made it clear that developing American interest in the sport is not a priority, giving America another reason to turn its back on the world’s game.
