As an Englishman, clearly I wish we'd won the bid, but lets be honest that was never going to happen.
Technically, we had the best bid, but there were several clear reasons why it was never coming here.
First, if only to get it out the way, Blatter hates the English. Apparently, given there was a chance we'd take it, he gave a speech to the voters just before the poll, where he effectively told them the British media would make their lives hell and not to vote for us in support of their fallen colleagues.
Secondly, spreading the game. Come on, taking the WC to England wouldn't spread the game at all would it. On this grounds, and since they will have the infrastructure etc in place I don't mind loosing to Russia. It makes sense for a number of reasons, and as I will freely admit our bid was not head and shoulders above theirs.
Thirdly, money. As noted above I'd already accepted we wouldn't take this, and that whilst it would go to Russia for the wrong reasons, they arguably deserved it for the right ones anyway! However, Qatar? Their national teams footballing status is more laughable than that of South Africa, and the locals are unlikely to be that interested in football either. However, when you can fill FIFAs bank accounts without even noticing it, you're going to turn their heads.
So, Russia 2018? Shame but fair enough
Qatar 2022? Come on, what a joke.
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