[kasai]

People are forgetting that South Africa lost out on the 2006 WC by one vote. FIFA will not be able to award the cup to any other confederation IMHO. Africa will have WC2010, and South Africa is the logical choice.

What wouldn't surprise me is if by 2007 or 2008 it is determined that South Africa cannot host the cup and it is moved to another country. Then maybe the U.S. is a good choice.





MOD NOTE: This was split from the Future of U.S. Soccer thread

[saabrian]

Originally posted by kenntomasch
You think they'd consider a split-season for MLS in 2010 if the US hosted the Cup?

You'd have to not play during that timeframe (mid-June to mid-July), but it'd be strange to just have a month disappear out of the heart of your season. A split-season, while it would obviously draw the ire of most traditionalists (but what doesn't?) might be at least one workable solution to what's sure to be a sticky wicket.

Africa will host the 2010 World Cup. Most likely South Africa. The next opportunity for the US would be 2014.

[voros]

Originally posted by Vicar


South Africa's one chance was 2006.

There is no African country that can host a world cup. There won't be for some time. There's probably only 4 or 5 countries in Europe that can host it, maybe 2-3 in Concacaf (Canada might be able to if the political will were behind it), perhaps 2 in CONMEBOL. I don't think we'll see one in Asia again for some time.

You're forgetting Australia in the discussion. They could probably do it without too much trouble (with Sydney 2000 as a blueprint).

[kenntomasch]

Originally posted by saabrian
Africa will host the 2010 World Cup. Most likely South Africa. The next opportunity for the US would be 2014.

Well, there you have it. Book your flights now.

[geordienation]

Originally posted by saabrian


Africa will host the 2010 World Cup. Most likely South Africa. The next opportunity for the US would be 2014.

Give me 8 stadia that could host it in South Africa.

OOPS. They don't have 8 WC-Quality stadia.

And unlike Korea and Japan, who actually have working economies, they don't have the money to build them.

[saabrian]

Originally posted by geordienation


Give me 8 stadia that could host it in South Africa.

OOPS. They don't have 8 WC-Quality stadia.

And unlike Korea and Japan, who actually have working economies, they don't have the money to build them.

I guess you must be more informed than the FIFA Executive committee of which a 50% - 1 voted for South Africa's 2006 bid and in which SA missed a majority only because of Oceania's rep abstained even though the confederation told him to vote for SA

[kenntomasch]

http://www.worldstadiums.com/africa/...h_africa.shtml

They have several large stadia in South Africa, but I have no idea if they're in good shape or not. Ditto with their infrastructure or economy, I have no idea.

[geordienation]

Originally posted by saabrian


I guess you must be more informed than the FIFA Executive committee of which a 50% - 1 voted for South Africa's 2006 bid and in which SA missed a majority only because of Oceania's rep abstained even though the confederation told him to vote for SA

Look, I don't want to get into a pissing match. Africa has deep, deep problems which have only gotten worse since that vote was taken. South Africa had huge stadia issues even at the time of the vote and would have required an influx of cash to stage the WC. They have also been counting on foreign investment to create more accomodation infrastructure, but that's dried up as well. If the same vote were taken today, it wouldn't be nearly as close.

As a rule of thumb, look at losers in the Olympic bidding process. Often times, runners up will drop out and not re-submit (Beijing being a notable exception). When South Africa re-submits their bid and there are no credible alternatives from more developed parts of the world, then they'll the be front-runner.

[geordienation]

OK, I split the threads. Africa discussion here and U.S. Soccer Federation talk over there.

[superdave]

Originally posted by geordienation
South Africa had huge stadia issues even at the time of the vote and would have required an influx of cash to stage the WC.

With the cash crunch at FIFA, caused by the bankruptcy of Sepp's TV pals, this isn't going to fly too well.

Plus, Africa was one of the leading confeds trying to oust Blatter this spring.