James M. Dorsey

FIFA Concedes Traded Votes in World Cup Bids

FIFA Concedes Traded Votes in World Cup Bids

JAMES DORSEY: If Blatter’s admission is correct, those votes would account for seven of the 12 votes that won Qatar its right to host the world’s biggest sporting event.

 David Roberts

Asian Cup Woes A Gift for Qatar 2022 Critics

Asian Cup Woes A Gift for Qatar 2022 Critics

DAVID ROBERTS: Huge queues, chronic transportation, empty seats and a less than fulsome welcome for travelling fans – a very long ‘To Do’ list for Qatar 2022.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar 2022 World Cup A PR Boon, But Little Else

Qatar 2022 World Cup A PR Boon, But Little Else

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar will become the face of an Arab world that projects itself as rich, bold and futuristic – a dramatic contrast with current perceptions of conflict and conservatism.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar Gains Upper Hand in Battle for FIFA

Qatar Gains Upper Hand in Battle for FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: Qatar is flexing its muscle, rejecting calls by Sepp Blatter to move the tournament to winter or co-host it with other Gulf states.

 James M. Dorsey

Money Talks: Qatar’s WC Bid Fits SWF Strategy

Money Talks: Qatar’s WC Bid Fits SWF Strategy

JAMES M. DORSEY: Flush with cash, Qatar spared no cost in its campaign to win the bid the World Cup. But are there ethical questions here?

 David Roberts

Qatar World Cup in Jan? No Surprise There…

Qatar World Cup in Jan?  No Surprise There…

DAVID ROBERTS: So Sepp Blatter has begun the softening up for the first ever Winter World Cup. It makes sense, you know….

 David Roberts

Recruitment Changes on the Cards for Qatar; as is Inflation…

Recruitment Changes on the Cards for Qatar; as is Inflation…

DAVID ROBERTS: Clearly, to build the stadiums and the infrastructure for the competition, Qatar will need yet more workers from abroad.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar WC 2022: A Middle East Game Changer?

Qatar WC 2022: A Middle East Game Changer?

JAMES M. DORSEY: So deep-seated is soccer passion that governments would be acting at their own peril and would likely conclude that they have no alternative but to allow their teams to play Israel.