Qatar World Cup In Doubt?

[Green Cross Code Man]

4 regional allies including Saudi Arabia have expelled Qatar from their alliance due to 'promotion of terrorism'.
I wonder if this will impact the World Cup? I certainly hope so.

Qatar row: Four countries cut links with Doha - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-40155829

 

[bhafc99]

This has been rumoured for a week or so – most of the expats I knew in Doha have lost their jobs in the past few days.

Qataris have 14 days to get out of the UAE. Thereafter they won't even be allowed to transit through Dubai or Abu Dhabi airports on their way to somewhere else. Etihad has just pulled all its flights to Doha, starting from tomorrow.

Qatar imports huge amounts of its food etc from Saudi – all the ports, roads and airports have been shut this morning between the two countries.

Serious shit going down here today!

 

[Change at Barnham]

This is huge news. I hadn't even realised that there was any division within that group of countries.
I'm sure the political situation will escalate with none of the countries wanting to back down.
It will certainly put a question mark against the tournament and highlight the corruption of how they were awarded the tournament in the first place.
Fascinating stuff.

 

[hart's shirt]

This is much bigger than just the World Cup.

Qatar risks being completely isolated out here.

It's fair to say that it's been an interesting day so far...

 

[The Optimist]

I'm due to transfer at Doha on Saturday. Fly in with BA and out with Qatar Airways. Should I be worried?

 

[Hillian1]

Saudi Arabia severing ties because of links to terrorism.

You couldn't make this shit up.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Saudi Arabia severing ties because of links to terrorism.

You couldn't make this shit up.

Yeah, the irony wasn't lost on me either.

 

[happypig]

I expect FIFA will have a revised bribe level to cover this sort of eventuality.

Be a few gold-plated Mercedes heading out this week...

 

[dazzer6666]

I'm due to transfer at Doha on Saturday. Fly in with BA and out with Qatar Airways. Should I be worried?

Interesting one as BA codeshare with Qatar........all QA flights through Dubai and Abu Dhabi apparently cancelled already. Hope your plans don't get too messed up.

 

[hart's shirt]

Now up to 5 countries with the addition of Yemen.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Now up to 5 countries with the addition of Yemen.

Cheers for the updates, keep 'em coming

 

[bhafc99]

Now up to 5 countries with the addition of Yemen.

No brainer, given the amounts of cash the UAE govt is shovelling to Yemen at the moment! Allegedly etc.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I'm due to transfer at Doha on Saturday. Fly in with BA and out with Qatar Airways. Should I be worried?

I don't envisage any problem, British Airways and Qatar Airways code share with each other, and are fellow members of the One World alliance. You aren't travelling to or via any country that has severed it's links with Qatar, so you should be ok.

 

[Eeyore]

Saudi Arabia severing ties because of links to terrorism.

You couldn't make this shit up.

In other news, Millwall's supporters have condemned the recent violence at the Olympic Stadium....

 

[easynow]

England 2022?

 

[El Presidente]

England 2022?

Given that England didn't apply to host the tournament, and the US came second in the vote for WC2022, I suspect that's unlikely.

 

[studio150]

FIFA will do nothing the Qatar world cup is 5 years away. They will probably say that football can bring peace and no need to consider moving.

 

[easynow]

Given that England didn't apply to host the tournament, and the US came second in the vote for WC2022, I suspect that's unlikely.

True but i think we would have good chance of winning if there was another bidding process seeing as we have most of the infrastructure required.

USA 2022 would also be great tbh

 

[bhafc99]

I'm due to transfer at Doha on Saturday. Fly in with BA and out with Qatar Airways. Should I be worried?

Your QR leg could well be delayed or rescheduled.

They're now not allowed to fly through airspace belonging to these nations, which is going to make it very hard for them to maintain the existing schedule - given that most QR flights use UAE and KSA airspace.

 

[El Presidente]

True but i think we would have good chance of winning if there was another bidding process seeing as we have most of the infrastructure required.

USA 2022 would also be great tbh

Yup, USA are certainly prepared for it, although there is the issue of Trump's travel ban to deal with.

Having worked for the Qataris the stadia construction projects are amazing, but there's little legacy benefit.

If FIFA are genuine about taking the WC to new frontiers, then Australia would be a logical choice, they bid for the and it would fit in with a summer tournament too weather-wise.