Instead, especially in Saudi Arabia, attendance at live matches is falling, soccer stadiums are in disrepair, and the national team won only one game in this year's Gulf Cup a debacle that led to the ouster of Dutch legend Frank Riijkaard as the Saudi team coach.

WSJ: Saudi Arabia Seeks to Upgrade Domestic Professional Soccer

"It could be the World Cup of Qatar but played in the Gulf, " said the Frenchman, who is on the Fifa executive committee.

BBC: Uefa president Michel Platini proposes Gulf World Cup

It remains to be seen whether United, or indeed any other many English club, comes under Qatari ownership in the near future but, with a World Cup and possible Olympic Games both on the horizon, the tiny gulf state is only going to grow in sporting stature and importance over the next decade.

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Toshiba finished three minutes 36 seconds behind Merit Cup, after the two boats traded tacks all the way across the Hauraki Gulf.

BBC: Leg Four: Merit Cup first in Auckland

Qatar has already won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and hopes are now being pinned on luring more tourists from the neighbouring Gulf States with a variety of openings that would raise an eyebrow in New York, let alone in the Middle East.

BBC: Going global in Doha

The result puts more pressure on the Gulf nation's coach Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who was failed to guide the team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

CNN: Syria shock Saudi Arabia at Asian Cup; Japan snatch draw

The Gulf countries have only previously been able to attract soccer stars at the twilight of their career, such as World Cup winning Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro and Real Madrid legend Raul.

WSJ: Saudi Arabia Seeks to Upgrade Domestic Professional Soccer