US Players, Pundits React to Losing 2022 World Cup Bid to Qatar

The U.S. lost out on hosting the 2022 World Cup to Qatar Thursday, and reactions in the American soccer community were mostly of disbelief and disappointment.

The negative reactions to the announcement did not just have to do with the game of soccer, however. Many players and pundits were outraged at the perception that FIFA's decision was heavily influenced by its own financial interests, while others were disappointed that a country as small and notoriously conservative as Qatar would be allowed to host the world's biggest sporting event.

The following responses from the American soccer community were all posted to Twitter following Thursday's announcement (sic for all quotes):

"There's no way around it: I am disappointed. To come up short is very difficult to take."
--United States Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati

"Total bummer. Congrats to Russia/Qatar, you could tell how much it meant to them. Our country deserves another WC, thanks for supporting us"
--U.S. national team and Los Angeles Galaxy star Landon Donovan, who spoke on behalf of the U.S. bid in Zurich

"I have an idea..we play Qatar in a friendly(they can even host it), and the winner gets to host the 2022 WC..wait, do they even have a team?"
--Landon Donovan, a couple of hours, and perhaps a couple of drinks, later

"Natural gas and oil, that's what has just won. They have just bought the World Cup."
--Former U.S. national team star and FOX Soccer analyst Eric Wynalda on Qatar and Russia wins

"I can't believe this, man. I've been to Qatar. Good ally and all, but NOT a place to party and celebrate the World Cup."
--TV star and Seattle Sounders co-owner Drew Carey

"Just heard the news (training), you have got to be kidding me! Qatar? Guess FIFA doesn't want to set the bar higher than 94. Its a shame."
--U.S. national team and Pachuca striker Herculez Gomez

"Quote Of The Day: 'It's The End Of The World As We Know It And I Feel Fine.' - Michael Stipe"
--Sporting Kansas City and former U.S. national team defender Jimmy Conrad

"Choosing Qatar and Russia is the biggest indictment possible that FIFA is not a clean organization. Petrodollars talk."
--Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl

"Woooowww can't believe this... So scandalous!!!!"
--Columbus Crew player Robbie Rogers

"Qatar?? Really surprised about this one."
--Villarreal star and New Jersey native Giuseppe Rossi

"Comical that we believe @Fifa will not make a decision on $$$ but if they did the most $$$ would be here in @goUSAbid. Something has to give"
--Former MLS MVP and U.S. national team forward Taylor Twellman

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
--U.S. national team and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore

"The average high temperature in Qatar is 115 degrees in July. It's also illegal to have alcohol or be drunk in public. Good luck."
--FanHouse columnist Clay Travis

"Ouch. I guess Fifa is trying to grow the game. South Africa, Russia, and Qatar. Dissapointed, thought the US would have put on a great Cup."
--Houston Dynamo and U.S. national team forward Brian Ching

"Set A Drift On Memory Bliss just came on and I almost started crying. This World Cup 2022 decision has put me in a dark place."
--Former MLS and U.S. national team midfielder and current FOX Soccer analyst Kyle Martino

"Australia got hosed most of all. One of more compelling bid countries and they see Asian bid go to nation with 20M fewer people."
--Jonah Freedman, MLSSoccer.com writer

"What's the nightlife like in Qatar..??? Sorry fans but other then the two hours of football a day you guys will be stuck in your hotel rooms"
--D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid