Canada should bid for the 2018 World Cup

[football_world]

CBC just announced that 1 million tickets have sold for the U-20 World Cup. We are 100,000 tickets away from shattering the U-20 ticket sales record set in Mexico in 1983. And once again, we have not only met but we have also exceeded all expectations from FIFA.

6 months ago, few people could take seriously Canada's ability to host the 2018 World Cup. As we are about to shatter the U-20 ticket sales record in Mexico and set an all time high ticket sales for the U-20 World Cup, I believe Canada could be a serious contender for the 2018 World Cup.

Below is the list of stadiums that could be used to host the 2018 World Cup (as pointed out by curtwpg in http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418741&highlight=canada):

1) Montreal - Olympic Stadium
2) Toronto - Skydome
3) Edmonton - Commonwealth Stadium
4) Vancouver - BC Place.
5) Calgary - McMahon Stadium
6) Toronto - BMO
7) Hamilton - Ivor Wynne
8) Ottawa - Frank Clair
9) Winnipeg - Canad Inns Stadium
10) Regina - Mosaic Stadium


The first 5 in the list have the seating capacity for a World Cup match and merely require upgrades.

Finally, we deserve the privilege of hosting a World Cup as much as Australia. Australia has hosted the U-20 World Cup twice but both times, they were not as successful as the U-20 World Cup this year.

Time for the CSA to move to the next level.

Football World

[Kevin McMillan]

5 of the last 6 require a stick of dynamite... or several hundred to be accurate

[zacRWE]

World cup match at Ivor Wynne, your kidding right :p

I think the closest Canada will get, sadly mind you, is a co-hosting spot with the USA.
12 cities, like in Germnay, three in Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) and nine in the USA. Seems possible.

[devioustrevor]

I think it would take a minimum of 8 stadiums to host the World Cup. We currently have 3 that could be ready to go (Olympic Stadium, Commonwealth Stadium, and Rogers Centre) with little upgrading. By that time the Asper family should have the new stadium in Winnipeg built (CanadaInns Stadium). Taylor Field has been expanded to 51,000 in the past with temporary seating, but it remains to be seen whether that would be good enough for FIFA.

That is 5 stadiums. I think BC Place would require too much to bring it up to snuff, McMahon, Ivor Wynne, and Frank Clair are all too small unless FIFA allows World Cup games in ~30,000 seat stadiums. If they were to do that though BC place would be unnecessary as Greg Kerfoots stadium plan plan in Vancouver is designed to allow easy expansion to 33,000. I'm not sure how far BMO can be expanded, but it too was designed with expansion in mind.

Although a World Cup would be the perfect excuse for Federal, Provincial and Local governments to spend money on state-of-the-art sports infrastructure.

[TFC_fan07]

agreed zac, if it ever happens it will be a joint USA/Canada bid. i'd only imagine that ya, something like toronto, montreal and vancouver would see games with at least 5 or 6 other host cities in the US. if planning started today i'm sure it would be a fairly impressive bid. hopefully the 2 associations will link up and make it happen.

[maestri09]

well, FIFA is running out of places to go. Brazil is getting 2014 pretty much by default, and then the next logical spot is North America or somewhere in mid-east Asia. Canada, with a serious bid, could be considered for 2018 or the one after that.

...or else, they'll just go back to old boring Europe. Maybe even England :eek: :rolleyes: :(

[Wangy]

I really think that it is possible for us to host the World Cup. The only question is of stadiums, and even that can be addressed.

We already have Skydome in Toronto, Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton and BC Place in Vancouver that are capable of hosting world cup matches as is (Olympic stadium in Montreal MIGHT need a bit of renovation to bring it up to snuff to football standards as it was changed in the past to host baseball games).

Thats 4 stadiums right there. After that, by 2018, there will be a stadium in Winnipeg for sure. That stadium looks like a beauty and it will be able to host atleast 45,000 peeps if expanded.

That leaves 3 more stadiums. If you are watching the games in Ottawa at Frank Clair Stadium, they have two huge stands, that add upto about 26,000. Considering that every country spends atleast some money to build new stadiums when it is hosting a world cup, the government would spend money to renovate the Frank Clair. All they would need to do is make use of the empty space in the ends and build two end stands to bring the capacity upto 50,000. That adds upto 6 stadiums.

The minimum is 8 stadiums and we would still need two more. By 2018, you can bet that atleast some CFL/University team would be looking for a new stadium. The CSA could work with them to create two new stadiums. Halifax was looking for a CFL team when they had the bid for the Commonwealth games but the bid was removed and their prospects for a CFL team died out. However, CSA could build a stadium in Halifax for the World Cup and it could be justified there as a future home for a CFL team in Halifax.

As for the last stadium, the Whitecaps are still looking for a stadium and if Canada were to bid for the 2018 World Cup, a new stadium in Vancouver might be passed and it would become Whitecaps' future stadium.

I seriously think that we can easily host a World Cup, there is no question about it. If we are going to do a shared bid with the USA, I seriously hope that the final game takes place in Canada.

[Samsonite]

A shared bid would never happen as FIFA has ruled out all shared bids for the future after problems during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. Apparently many of the problems were related to passports and visas and with the current direction of the USA in regards to border security a joint bid would be dead before it ever got off the ground.

I really get frustrated with the way Canadians often think we can't do anything on our own without American support. I mean come on, if South Africa can host a World Cup on its own surely we can. Not to mention any stadium renovations or construction would be money well spent as the stadiums would be used for years later every summer by CFL franchises.

[katatonic]

Shared bid will only boost USSF. they will rake in more gate revenues compared to us which i am strongly against. There is a vast opportunity in Canada to become the next Footballing nation. and I hope our great nation invest on world class stadiums and build fan culture.

We are definitely lagging as a G8 nation in terms of stadia infratructures.

[CL_2004]

After 2010(Africa) and 2014(Brazil) the rotation will have ended. FIFA is gonna want the 2018 tournament hosted in a country where the sport can grow and develop due to the influx of revenue that comes with staging the big event.

The list of bidders should look something like this:
China
Canada
India
Australia

[Beantowner]

The list of bidders should look something like this: China, Canada, India, AustraliaAfter China pulls off this year's women's world cup and next year's summer Olympics, they'll be targeting and not unlikely targeted for the 2018 world cup. It's unclear FIFA wants to end or will end its rotation, but Canada clearly should be considered a strong option (kudos from a Yank on a job well done with the U-20s).

Australia's challenge is Aussie football uses its stadiums when the world cup is typically played. That doesn't mean it won't happen, but FIFA will likely need to financially reward Aussie footie club owners. While India is not noted as a football country, its financial position and infrastructure will likely be much better positioned to host a 2018 or 2022 cup that it could not host today. Russia, Argentina. Mexico, the UK and other EU nations will also enter the picture for future cups.

As for shared world cups, the Dutch parliament just enacted legislation supporting pursuit of a shared world cup bid. Left unsaid is its intended partner(s), Belgium? Lux? (sincerely doubt it) England? Germany? One thing is clear, passport concerns are not an issue for EU nations. Distance and passports were an issue for Japorea 2002.

Good luck to Canada...love to see it happen for the nation, development of the sport in Canada, CONCACAF, and my convenience.

[ECMoney]

CBC just announced that 1 million tickets have sold for the U-20 World Cup. We are 100,000 tickets away from shattering the U-20 ticket sales record set in Mexico in 1983. And once again, we have not only met but we have also exceeded all expectations from FIFA.

6 months ago, few people could take seriously Canada's ability to host the 2018 World Cup. As we are about to shatter the U-20 ticket sales record in Mexico and set an all time high ticket sales for the U-20 World Cup, I believe Canada could be a serious contender for the 2018 World Cup.

Below is the list of stadiums that could be used to host the 2018 World Cup (as pointed out by curtwpg in http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418741&highlight=canada):

1) Montreal - Olympic Stadium
2) Toronto - Skydome
3) Edmonton - Commonwealth Stadium
4) Vancouver - BC Place.
5) Calgary - McMahon Stadium
6) Toronto - BMO
7) Hamilton - Ivor Wynne
8) Ottawa - Frank Clair
9) Winnipeg - Canad Inns Stadium
10) Regina - Mosaic Stadium


The first 5 in the list have the seating capacity for a World Cup match and merely require upgrades.

Finally, we deserve the privilege of hosting a World Cup as much as Australia. Australia has hosted the U-20 World Cup twice but both times, they were not as successful as the U-20 World Cup this year.

Time for the CSA to move to the next level.

Football World


Canada has 0% shot to ever host a World Cup, lets get serious now! Canada will probably get a few games when the USA hosts its next World Cup, but no way we can do it on our own.

[Stinkey Turner]

After 2010(Africa) and 2014(Brazil) the rotation will have ended. FIFA is gonna want the 2018 tournament hosted in a country where the sport can grow and develop due to the influx of revenue that comes with staging the big event.

The list of bidders should look something like this:
China
Canada
India
Australia

I dunno..When speaking of North America, why would'nt they also look at USA and Mexico for revenue? Sure FIFA wants to grow the sport and all, but anyone thinking FIFA has altruistic motive ihen picking a host is nuts! There's still room to grow in the US even though WC 94 is still the most well attended IIRC. WIth that said, I have no problem with Canada getting it, seems like you've done a great job at hosting this Youth WC (besides the classless Canadain wally's that dress up in Brazilain shirts and boo the US. poor class that.)

[FC_HRV]

Canada has 0% shot to ever host a World Cup, lets get serious now! Canada will probably get a few games when the USA hosts its next World Cup, but no way we can do it on our own.

That's an amazing positive attitude you have. Remind me to ask you for some advice when I, or someone I know, is down in the dumps or feeling suicidal.

[FC_HRV]

I really get frustrated with the way Canadians often think we can't do anything on our own without American support. I mean come on, if South Africa can host a World Cup on its own surely we can. Not to mention any stadium renovations or construction would be money well spent as the stadiums would be used for years later every summer by CFL franchises.

This is a fantastic post.

We're a country approaching 35 million people, a 1st world economic nation. Yet we, as a country, have the mentally of a peanut - that we are always only good enough for 2nd best. WTF is wrong with you people??!! We have the money, the know how, the organizational skills, a public that loves the beautiful game and some stadia ready to go. The only thing holding Canada back from host the World Cup is the mindset. If we believe we can't then we won't. You got to believe in yourselves people. We are not piss poor. Hosting a WC is soo doable it is not even funny. Yes some money is required, as is some sweat to work and make it happen. But that's how it's down for anything. Nothing is handed to you. This defeatest attitude really serves nobody.

[camilos]

besides the classless Canadain wally's that dress up in Brazilain shirts and boo the US. poor class that.)

I'm not sure if you're referring to the US games in Montreal. I was one of those Brasilian T-shit wearing supporters you speak of. Although I never boo other teams no matter how much I disagree with their government policies. You have to be stupid to blame the players for any decisions that their leaders make.

That being said, the animosity that the US has created around the world with their "we know better than you" attitude has rubbed many nations the wrong way. Especially in liberal minded places like Quebec. So US teams are bound to get boos considering not everyone has good manners and considering half of the stadium was drunk.

From where I was sitting, most of the boos came from Polish fans by the way.

I was glad to see that after the pounding the U.S gave Poland, most fans gave the US team a well deserved round of applause.

[alessiob]

IMO, you guys hosted the summer and winter olympics before. I see no reason why Canada should not be able to host a world cup. You have some quality players like DeRosario. You can play with the big boys and almost (should have) took the US to penalties in the Gold Cup. You guys are the real sleepling dragons in the Concacaf man.

Mexico hosted 2 WC's, we hosted one WC. I think Canada is the only way to go with the WC when it comes down to a Concacaf contry hosting the cup again.

That might get the ball rolling again on a premier soccer league in Canada again, just like WC94 did for MLS. This may give Canada a league which can compete in a possible SuperLiga, or Concacaf Champions League, whichever is the premier regional league in the future. (not sure why Canada teams dont compete now in CCC, but i understand the difficulties with USL, MLS and the current league you guys have now)

Hell I wouldn't even mind if you guys take Toronto away from MLS. This would only add to Canada's identity. Maybe you guys can even take a page out of the EPL with two or more teams in a particular area. Imagine 2 or 3 teams in Toronto, Vancover, Montreal and Ottawa alone. It may or may not work, but just wishful thinking. But overall, I feel 2 team cities would work in Canada.

After that, Concacaf should aim for the WC in the Carribean. Let Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamacia and Puerto Rico combine on a bid. Hati, your cool too. Thanks for Joe Gaetjens by the way.

That might trigger a premier Carribean league to compete in a regional champions league with US, Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica too.

Overall, I like the idea that the WC should good places were soccer has yet to be developed like it should, or places where it needs a good kick in the pants to get started, just like WC 94 did for the US.

Hey wishfull thinking right. Let me know what up.

[Kingston]

One thing that has been overlooked here when discussing stadia is the actual stadium availability. The WC usually runs June-July. During this time period most of the large stadia are in use by the CFL.

[Samsonite]

One thing that has been overlooked here when discussing stadia is the actual stadium availability. The WC usually runs June-July. During this time period most of the large stadia are in use by the CFL.

The CSA would have to make an agreement with the CFL to push back the start of the season a month to about mid-July. I would think the CFL would jump at the opportunity if it meant the re-construction of their facilities on someone else's dime.

[BayernFan003]

isn't there a requirement that the stadiams have to hold at leats 30,000 people