Is hosting the World Cup worth the cost?

Why would a country plead, cheat, and bribe for the honor of spending billions on stadiums that will probably never be used again?

In the wake of the FIFA scandal, Russia and Qatar are trying desperately to keep their hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. Swiss officials are investigating the legitimacy of the votes that gave the two countries the events, while their governments hope the tournaments will bring them money and prestige.

But sports economist Andrew Zimbalist said they are unlikely to get either: “The individuals who get involved in the effort to bring the World Cup to their country are usually doing it for their own benefit.”

Sports economics analyst Todd McFall said the construction and hospitality industries usually earn the most money during a mega-sporting event. Qatar alone is expected to spend $200 billion on construction projects, including a giant international airport, new train system, and FIFA approved, air-conditioned stadiums. “Very, very well connected individuals have the chance to enrich themselves at the moment when the sports event is granted to an area,” he said.

Qatar is unlikely to make money off the World Cup, McFall added.

“[In] almost every study that has been done about the finances of hosting a big event … the host country has come out at the wrong end,” he said.

Even though countries don’t benefit, many individuals do—and they seem to stop at little to win the rights. Multiple countries are investigating campaigns for the last few World Cups. The United States has accused South Africa of giving FIFA officials $10 million in bribes during its2010 bid. Australia is looking into its failed campaign against Qatar. After spending $40 million on itsattempt, Australia only earned one vote. Qatar, a wealthy oil exporter, is under allegations of bribing itsway into the hosting spot.

The United States placed a bid for the 2022 World Cup and lost. Zimbalist said the U.S. Soccer Federation knows the World Cup “would create a lot of buzz, create new soccer fans.”

There would be little need for the U.S. to spend billions in taxpayer money to build new infrastructure. “It’s conceivable there could be a very modest economic gain,” Zimbalist said.