I think it's okay to give smaller countries a shot. There's a huge happiness in those countries about it, just listened to a podcast about Curacao - recently autonomous within the kingdom of the Netherlands. They didn't stand a chance against Germany, but that one goal? That was worth a lot for their self esteem.

Since the last Worldcup, I always doubt that anything Qatar does is without bribing. But they managed a 1:1 against Switzerland, bringing more spice to that group.

Haiti is a nation with SO much suffering since the earthquake, it's not even fathomable. And nobody cares. Nobody speaks about them anymore, or remembers they exist. Just like some other states - they've been given up on. Maybe getting to the world cup brings some light on them?

But that's about it. Most games aren't that interesting. Some surprises, yes, but watching them all to see that? I rather watch the clips. If even that.

The commercialization is horrendous. And not even justified. As if the FIFA didn't have enough money. And as if the countries and cities hosting won't turn out losing anyway.

Then the whole thing of spreading it over 3 huge countries. What a bad idea. Flying around all the time, unnecessary. Like the Euro-Cup - all over Europe now! Not one country hosting it, no like 10 countries. And at the same time, the EU is trying to reduce carbon footprints and such, as always creating more bureaucracy. But FIFA is exempt from that I guess. Or they just bribed enough. I mean, they should've enough unreported money after the WC in Qatar and now Qatar "qualifying" for this WC.