Qatar 2022: Exclusive Interview with Bid Inspection Project Manager

 
FIFA awarding the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 has certainly caught the imagination of the footballing public. For the first time ever the competition will make its way to the Middle East, where a vast untapped footballing community awaits with baited breath.

Jon Sinigaglia was Project Director for the FIFA pre-qualification bid inspection of Qatar and was an integral member of their winning bid team.

Here he exclusively answers my questions about Qatar’s plans, ambitions, and ability to host such a prestigious tournament and about the legacy they wish to leave behind.

Giovanni Trappatoni Looking at Payback For Ireland and Italy at Brazil 2014

Even at 72 Giovanni Trappatoni has lost none of the bite you would expect. The most successful manager in the history of Serie A and one of the games all time greats seems to be enjoying the twilight of his career in Ireland, to such an extent that now he wants to lead the Irish to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup where he feels he may have some unfinished "business."

Hristo Stoichkov: The Bulgarian Messiah

"There are only two Christ’s; one plays for Barcelona, the other is in heaven," so said Hristo Stoichkov before collecting his award for European Footballer of the Year in 1994.

With Hristo directly translating as Christ, you could be forgiven for thinking he was joking and that it was a play on words...but you'd be wrong. Stoichkov had three massive elements to his person, a God-given skill, a God-sized ego, and a Devil of a temperament.

World Football: Heroes of 2010

The highs and lows of 2010 have been extreme to put it mildly. From gun toting separatists in Africa last January to an Octopus called Paul in June and possibly the greatest team of all time in November, 2010 has been a year to remember, or forget depending upon which team you follow.


Here, we look at some of the heroes of the last 12 months. Some stories have been covered by every media outlet under the sun and some have just slipped past their mighty radars.

However, each and every one is just as important as each other as they thread a careful weave through the labyrinthine tapestry that is the footballing year of 2010.

World Football: Villains of 2010

The highs and lows of 2010 have been extreme to put it mildly. From gun toting separatists in Africa last January to an Octopus called Paul in June and possibly the greatest team of all time in November, 2010 has been a year to remember, or forget depending upon which team you follow.


Here, we look at some of the villains of the last 12 months. Some stories have been covered by every media outlet under the sun and some have just slipped past their mighty radars.

However, each and every one is just as important as each other as they thread a careful weave through the labyrinthine tapestry that is the footballing year of 2010.

Qatar 2022: The ASPIRE Academy Is Its Very Heartbeat

FIFA's decision to award the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 has received its fair share of criticism.

Most commentators seem to be condescendingly focusing upon the fact that the country is too small to host such a major tournament. There has also been mention that the country has no past footballing pedigree. The Middle Eastern peninsula does however have a growing reputation within professional sporting circles as being one of the locations of choice for major events over the last 20 years.

At the very epicentre of Qatar's hopes for 2022 will be the ASPIRE Academy. Since its inception in 2004, the Academy has risen to the forefront of leading sporting centres around the world. While Dubai and Abu-Dhabi have moved to attract the world’s business clientele, Qatar has taken quite a unique step and has looked to improve its name by becoming a centre for sporting excellence.

2018 and 2022 World Cup Race: Every Bidding Nation and Vote Analysis

The FIFA Exco will meet over the next three days to decide the destination of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Here we look at each bidding nation and the 23 men whose vote will decide the winners.

The 2018 World Cup will go to Europe as Holland/Belgium, Spain/Portugal, England and Russia address the FIFA Exco with their final submissions on December 2. One day before the five bidding nations for 2022 will get their chance to state their case.

Each submission can only last a maximum of 30 minutes and is the final chance the bidding nations have to sway the vote.

So far, the Iberian bid claims to have eight votes guaranteed for 2018 while Qatar seems quietly confident for 2022.

To win the World Cup 13 votes must be won, with the process eliminating a bidding nation until that total can be reached.

Here we look at each bidding nation, their strengths and weaknesses and the 23 Exco members and where they may or may not vote.

Cristiano Ronaldo Was Denied a Career Defining Moment in Portugal's 4-0 win over Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the greatest goals of all time in the remarkable 4-0 victory for Portugal over Spain. However, the Real Madrid wing wizard was anything but happy after the goal was disallowed…

Champions League vs. The World Cup: Attacking Football or Negativity? You Decide

The king is dead, long live the king.

The World Cup may be long gone, but this season's UEFA Champions League has kicked off in spectacular fashion with some of the most exciting football seen in decades. You could tell straight from the start that almost every team has learned a valuable lesson from this years World Cup; negativity will only get you so far.

Asamoah Gyan: From Black Stars To Black Cats Via Rap Star

Asamoah Gyan helped Sunderland to a share of the points with Wigan at the weekend as he scored on his "perfect debut."

The goal made him an instant hit on Wearside with the Black Cats' vocal support. It did not do him any harm with his teammates either.

However, he had already made his way into their hearts after Darren Bent asked him to sing for the team on the eve of the match. A little known fact about the powerful Ghanaian striker is that he has also produced a number of rap songs under the pseudonym of Baby Jet.

2010 World Cup Final: The Depressing Spain-Holland Final Analyzed

With the two nations involved, Spain and Holland, one would have hoped for a spectacular World Cup Final. In fact, it was probably the worst match of the entire World Cup after it was ruined by the referee, and we were treated to one of the most cynical displays ever by a team in a final. 

The relief factor is that the Spanish deservedly won. Had they lost this battle after the brutal and pragmatic approach by the Dutch, we would have had one of the game's great injustices.

Andres Iniesta, the man of the match in the final, was the player who provided the difference when it counted most. The little Barcelona playmaker was a target for rough treatment by the Dutch all night and it was fitting that he pulled the trigger on Holland's dreams.

To say that the Netherland's were physical would be a gross understatement and the referee deserves to held accountable for their approach to the game.

World Cup Final 2010: Spain 1-0 Holland, Iniesta Treats Shameful Dutch To Defeat

An Andres Iniesta goal in extra-time was enough to make Spain the World Champions as La Roja beat Holland 1-0.

However, the truth of the game was that the Dutch were cynically brutal and that the referee, Howard Webb, had a poor game and between them they ruined what should have been a spectacle of good football.

The ultimate goal for any footballer is to play and win in a World Cup Final. After tonight, Holland will be having nightmares as they allowed their manager's destroying style to overrun their own inherent flair while Spain played all the football.

World Cup Final 2010: Spain vs. Holland: Tactical Preview and Predictions

The World Cup Final. Spain, the current European Champions, will take on Holland in a match for the ages.

Two of football's greatest nations, having never before won the trophy, will go head to head in a match that promises to be the most intriguing of the entire competition.

World Cup 2010: Uruguay vs. Germany 3rd and 4th Playoff Tactical Preview and Predictions

Uruguay and Germany will battle it out in the Playoffs for third and fourth place in the World Cup. The match will take place in the stadium named after South Africa's most famous son, the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The Friendly City will fittingly see, most probably, the friendliest game of the month long tournament as La Celeste Olimpica and Die Mannschaft go head to head for the small matter of being named the third best team in the world, and some £12 million...

And there was you thinking that this match was worthless. The country who finishes third will win £12 million for their federation, while the losers will earn a paltry £11 million for their troubles.

Lo' and behold, Germany and Uruguay have met before in a third and fourth playoff match. That was in 1970 when a goal from the great Wolfgang Overath was enough to separate the teams.

World Cup 2010: Germany Klose But No Cigar as Spain's Puyol Becomes Durban Legend

A Carles Puyol bullet header 17 minutes from time was enough to see off Germany in Durban last night as Spain beat Joachim Loew's side 1-0. The narrow scoreline belied the truth behind the game though as La Roja dominated from start to finish and were far superior than their free scoring opponents.

Spain controlled the game from start to finish as the game proved to be a bridge too far for Joachim Loew's young side. The inexperience on show came to the fore as La Roja knocked the ball around with ease, keeping possession for long periods as Die Mannschaft chased shadows.

World Cup 2010: Germany vs. Spain Semifinal Tactical Preview and Predictions

Germany and Spain go head-to-head in the second Semi Final of the World Cup in what is quite possibly the most anticipated match of the tournament, and a rematch of the Final at Euro 2008, which Spain won 1-0.

World Cup 2010: Uruguay vs. Holland Semifinal Tactical Preview and Predictions

As the World Cup draws to a close we enter the business end, and hopefully the highlight of the month long tournament.

Uruguay will take on Holland in the first Semi Final, while Spain and Germany will go head to head in the other.

World Cup 2010: Diego Maradona—Shine On You Crazy Diamond

Diego Maradona looked on helplessly as a ruthless German team cruelly exposed his beloved Argentina. Powerless to stem the flowing black tide, he cut a dejected figure on the sidelines, praying to gods who were in no mood to listen. And as he wakes this morning, he will ponder his future as his country's manager.

One thing that really stands out about this particular World Cup is that the expected stars of the game, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Kaka, the list goes on, all failed to take the tournament by the scruff of the neck.

If anything, this tournament has proved that Maradona is still a bigger star than them all put together and retains the old fearlessness that all great players need to turn them into stars.

Lionel Messi: Comparing the Worlds Greatest Player To Legends Pele, Maradona and Cruyff

Lionel Messi has many devotees. The 22-year-old Barcelona and Argentina forward is undoubtedly the most talented player on the planet, but how does he rank against the greats of the game?

World Cup 2010: LIVE BLOG: England 1-4 Germany: Three Lions Tamed in Controversial Game

Germany have beaten England 4-1 in the Last-16 of the World Cup. 

However, in almost a replica of Geoff Hurst's controversial shot in 1966 it was England who suffered at the hands of a linesman. With the scores at 2-1, Frank Lampard's chipped effort cannoned off the crossbar and over the line before bouncing out—Germany then ran amok...