The controversy erupted after a leaked email from FIFA
General Secretary Jerome Valcke suggested Qatar had "bought" the
rights, which he denied on Monday.
"I think there is some dirty politics in this. A few
years ago, no one knew Qatar. Now after the win, the big countries like England
and others are jealous," said Ali Al Badr, 50.
Qatar would be the first Arab country to host the world's
largest soccer tournament, and the news of the victorious bid in December 2010
also triggered elation across the Arab world.
The tiny Gulf Arab state, massively wealthy thanks to
copious natural gas reserves, will spend about $65 billion preparing for the
tournament, according to estimates.
"If this is really true, why didn't we hear it
before?" said Omar Al-Emadi, 27. "This is about the West's perception
of Qatar. They think we still ride camels." Qatar will be the smallest
host nation to stage the finals since Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in
1930. The country plans to harness solar-powered technology to cool the match
venues to about 27 Celsius to overcome crippling summer temperatures that can
soar to above 50 degrees Celsius.
Valcke confirmed he had sent an email to vice-president Jack
Warner in which he questioned Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam's decision to stand
against Sepp Blatter in the FIFA presidential election, suggesting Qatar had
paid for the rights. But Valcke denied suggesting it was bribery, instead
saying the country used its financial muscle to lobby for support.
"They are saying this because they don't want us to
have the World Cup," said 16 year-old Qatari Bader Al Otabi.
Qatar's bid committee on Monday also categorically denied
any wrong-doing in connection with the winning bid.
Before the vote in December, Qatar's $4 billion bid for the
tournament was dismissed by many as unrealistic given the country's
conservative social mores and lack of soccer culture.
"The
Emir is not corrupt like other Arab politicians," said another Qatari in
his 20s. "He watched the whole process carefully."
