04/25/24
May 15, 2010
US Bids for World Cup in 2018, 2022: The United States soccer federation has made its case to FIFA for why it should be awarded soccer's World Cup in either 2018 or 2022 when the group picks sites in December. "On a technical basis, our bid far exceeds the standards set by FIFA," said federation president Sunil Gulati.
USA is bidding for both, but all the smart money seems to be on Europe for 2018.
posted by sbacharach at 06:25 PM on May 15, 2010
USA 2014! Brazil will never be ready on time.
posted by Aardhart at 10:58 PM on May 15, 2010
When did the United States last host the World Cup (if ever)?
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:36 PM on May 15, 2010
1994...I remember the Silverdome was one of the venues, and they came up with a system to keep the grass alive indoors...
posted by MeatSaber at 12:03 AM on May 16, 2010
2010 & 2014 will be the first time Europe hasn't hosted consecutive Cups. Can't see them be passed on 3 times. Is there any serious doubt that Europe will host in 2018?
posted by kokaku at 05:23 AM on May 16, 2010
Is there any serious doubt that Europe will host in 2018?
This, maybe.
posted by owlhouse at 08:02 AM on May 16, 2010
The US is in an strange position with its proposed venues: the purpose-built MLS stadiums are better football grounds than the venues for 1994 -- the open bowls in Florida, Texas and California were notoriously brutal for fans and players -- but don't have the capacity; instead, they'd use gridiron stadiums. (RKF, Gillette Stadium and Qwest Field are used by MLS teams, but they're the exceptions here) So while they wouldn't have to build or expand venues, or disrupt the MLS too much, there'd still be a sense of piggybacking, and concerns over the Sun Belt venues.
Despite the weekend's headlines, I think FIFA's likely to go with Europe in 2018, and I also think that South Africa will be an interesting demonstration of how a tropical/temperate southern-hemisphere winter tournament would work, with an eye on 2022.
posted by etagloh at 09:55 PM on May 16, 2010
Thanks etagloh. I see what you did there.
posted by owlhouse at 10:18 PM on May 16, 2010
Well, sorta, though I think the Aussie bid has its own problems, not just with stadium setup -- lots of ovals -- but also the competing demands of the AFL and NRL seasons. It's nowhere near as ridiculous as Qatar's bid, though, and the idea of a tournament that doesn't become a battle against heatstroke is likely to appeal to a lot of the federations.
posted by etagloh at 11:31 PM on May 16, 2010
I think the Aussie bid has its own problems, not just with stadium setup -- lots of ovals -- but also the competing demands of the AFL and NRL seasons
Tell me about it. I think we have the NRL onside, but the AFL are acting like dickheads.
Qatar has money, but where will they get 12 stadiums? Although they're not in for 2022, I think that whenever China wants to bid, they will get it.
posted by owlhouse at 01:14 AM on May 17, 2010
I doubt China will bid until the powers that be believe their team will be competitive by the time they host. I imagine something like advancing to the round of eight or better two WCFs in a row and then we'll see China ask to host the next one up for grabs after.
Despite other claims I think USA in 2018 is not as much of a longshot as others seem to and if not 2018 then 2022 for sure. Don't forget its not just 1994 as last US hosted tourney but also last time in CONCACAF period.
posted by billsaysthis at 04:11 PM on May 17, 2010
Hm, I'd heard that the US had a bid going for 2022, but I didn't know they were going to be considered for 2018 too. The plot thickens.