Whe, like many other countries, did not look at the World Cup through the “One Love” glasses, or covered his mouth in shock at the world association, but also looked at things that are central to a global event of a billion-dollar industry, still doesn’t have to do that Sharing the verdict of their ruthless president: the best World Cup ever. Nevertheless, Qatar is a milestone. The most visible sign in the history of football, what can be achieved with the force of immeasurable cash flows and the corresponding will – despite resistance and dark shadows. The men of football were able to stage themselves in Qatar as what they want to be: as “Masters of the Universe”.
In the future, the world governing body FIFA and the affiliated associations will receive additional billions. The bill goes on. Moral gasps about the state of football and the priorities of its makers will not help with the reality check: this is how the football world will work in 2022 and no different. And that has an impact, also on the EM 2024.
Light years away from German conditions
Germany wants to do this with the aim of doing a lot better than Qatar. But as a sports organizer, you will not only be able to be measured against your predecessor in terms of human rights and diversity issues. The functional, technical framework is also part of it. And it can already be said that things are not looking good. Just thinking about clean, punctual and autonomous metros that look like the continuation of business class in Doha should make European fans better keep their eyes shut on German trains in the summer of 2024.
Responsible for the success of the European Football Championship in Germany: national coach Hansi Flick (right) on the pitch, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf next to him.
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Image: dpa
As far as the digital conditions are concerned – which were up to date in Qatar and thus light years away from German conditions – you will hardly want to compare yourself with the World Cup hosts. And the stadiums where Europe will play in a year and a half will be the same ones that were built 20 years ago for the 2006 World Cup. They set standards back then. Even at the EM 2024, Germany lives on the substance.
Of course, it didn’t take the World Cup to realize that Germany is no longer the world champion in organization. There is no question: investments in Qatar have reached absurd heights. And demanded a high human price.
With “One Love” armband in Qatar on the World Cup stands: Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (here next to DFB President Bernd Neuendorf)
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Image: AP
But despite all the justified criticism, the excellent conditions that the emirate created at outrageous costs will have an impact. There are still enough states that want to buy the sport as a stage. And enough bandages getting weak. China dreams of the 2030 World Cup, Qatar of the 2036 Olympics.
Germany will have to admit that it can hardly play any more as an organizer in world sport at this level, and maybe for good reasons it doesn’t want to anymore. That’s one, but not the only, truth to face after Qatar.
It would therefore be all the more important if Germany could show its generosity as a warm-hearted and cosmopolitan host at the European Championship. And no longer reproduces the image of those in the world who know everything better, but can no longer do many things better. Based on the experiences of the past few years, however, it is to be feared that this will also be a long, difficult road.
