Is the fact that it will be in a desert that much of a problem? I assume that the only con related to that would be temperature, but if it will be staged in winter, there won't be any problem as it will be a convenient one in Doha and the likes.
It's a shame they bought their way out and that it will be hosted in a nation without footballing culture, but except that, other arguments are just examples of clutching at straws.