Qatar 2022

The weird thing is FIFA and the continental governing bodies don't seem that concerned to host events in front of near empty stadiums. It is one of the problems with the Club World Club and other events. I think they should discount tickets to get full stadiums to make the TV product better. They always tell us the real money is in TV and sponsors anyway.

 

Yup, when I went to South Africa for 2010 a couple of the games were about half filled. The recessions was going on at the time and FIFA knew before hand. They werent handing out "free tickets" to any locals.

It was such an awesome time because I got some really good seats at matches I didnt buy tickets before hand for like $5 USD from locals outside the stadium that bought their tickets for cheap.

 

Maybe by 2022 travel to Qatar may be even more restricted than it already is in the area:
https://www.vox.com/2020/2/26/21150529/italy-coronavirus-south-korea
"Iran and Italy are also on the list, and over the last week, large outbreaks have emerged in these countries, too.

With the scope of this outbreak rapidly changing, the researchers just updated their models in a yet-to-be-published study focused on how the coronavirus disease will likely spread from Iran. They found Iran probably has thousands more cases within its borders than we currently know. And they predict that we can expect outbreaks with links back to Iran in Turkey, UAE, Iraq, Qatar and Georgia, among other countries. In Europe, they predict Germany, France, and Italy are also places at higher risk of imported cases from Iran. "

 

The virus probably won't survive the warmer weather that spring will bring in less than two months from now, nevermind 3 springs and 3 summers.

 

You never know.

But when Iran is one of your biggest allies in the area and China is providing much of your fuel/ energy and other products...
... things could get a lot worse before they get better..

 

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer...poned-due-to-coronavirus-20200304-p546yb.html

This is written from an Australian perspective but could have wider reaching ramifications. They generally give you five 3 articles a month show most of you should be able to read it.

 

Third round in June 2021 at a centralised venue? (5 games in two weeks rather than 10 stretched across months?)

J

 

Rumors are swirling that the CONMEBOL qualifiers will also be postponed.

I don't know when they will play them though. Maybe creating a February 2021 FIFA break like the old days? Or creating one in July of 2021?

It is all one big mess and headache.

 

Seems like there is space to move the inter-confederation playoffs to June 2022. Especially if other confederations are behind schedule too.

Never understood why those playoffs were so early in the first place. I don't even see a big problem with moving them to Sept 2022 if necessary.

 

From a tactical stand point if I had to wait from November to June to play a playoff match against a team from another continent I would be a little bit ticked off to say the least. My team could be totally different in half a year's time and their team as well.


I like the way it is set up for normal World Cups. October you know who makes the Playoffs.
November you face the team.

Thanks Qatar.

 

I was thinking about that too but that schedule would step on the Copa America's toes.
Unless they cancel that maybe.

 

I guess they could still make it work somehow but it is getting complicated.

And then you still have things like weather to deal with.

Anyone want to play in UAE or Saudi Arabia in June?

And then you have Winter in Southern Hemisphere matches.

Still one big mess.

 

Do they have any domed/air-conditioned stadiums in UAE? Or Saudi?

Anyway, could turn into a big mess but right now its nothing compared to what's happening in UEFA. The 2019-20 league seasons are not gonna finish before the start of the Euros. And /or the Euros will need to get postponed. Heck, I don't even see how they're gonna complete Euro qualifying.

 

Don't forget FIFA dates for intercontinental playoffs.

The 2022 WC draw is planned for April 2022: 7 months to complete tickets sales and distribution, I guess.

 

Will this Russia/Saudi Arabia clash over oil have any implications on the WC?

 

The number of COVID-19 cases are now picking-up in South America. We know by now where those numbers are heading. Copa America 2020 is toast, I'm afraid. I don't think they will bother to try to reschedule for 2021.

Should only be one Copa every four years anyway....

 

Sad that Colombia has only ever hosted one Copa.
Hopefully 2024 can be in Colombia if it is cancelled all together.

 

Next Summer

Gold Cup
Copa America
Euros

 

Add the Olympics to that.

 

Good point. No way are they gonna finish AFCON qualifying by September as planned. Might have to move the tournament back to summer 2021, after previously moving it from June to January.

 

CONCACAF laughs at this loudest.