CAIRO — Eager to promote Egypt as a venue for international sporting events, Cairo made a bid this month for the 2030 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and the 2032 Olympic Games. But many Egyptians are unsure, worried about the expense as well as the potential for humiliation.
Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi’s July 10 announcement of Egypt's intention to host both games was met with immediate criticism, as the Egyptian public took to social media to question the timing and the Egyptian economy’s ability to bear the related expenses such as building or improving stadiums, roads, railways and hotels.