The United States will have to wait until at least 2026 to host their second World Cup and first since 1994. FIFA selected Middle Eastern country Qatar to host the '22 Cup, becoming the first location in the Middle East to ever host the event. Qatar had been one of the favorites because of the region's lack of opportunities to host, but many infrastructure and weather issues (the region is well over 100 degrees at the time of year that the tournament will take place) stood as major barriers to their winning. Also losing out for '22 were Japan, South Korea and Australia. Russia was awarded the 2018 Cup over England, Spain and a combined bid between Belgium and the Netherlands.
↵Denver fans can now turn their attentions towards a possible hosting bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, with buzz around the possible opportunity starting in 2011 and, if the city decides to move forward, a lot of happenings in 2012.