Win or lose, adding Mexico to the bid in early 2017 was a stroke of genius by USSF. If any one move can neutralize the effect of US politics on the World Cup bid, it will be that.
I was told I won the Nigerian lotto, I sent my bank information to them, I am just waiting for my millions now, any day now.
With USSF in charge, I see the US joining South Africa in being the only host nation to be done after the group stage. That's how pessimistic I am about it.
I imagine Liberia's decision had nothing at all to do with President George Weah's son being a USA international, and I expect no soft verbal quid pro quo was ever discussed between the USSF and the Liberian FA. And conflict of interest is a river in Egypt. Well, you'll have to wait - there's apparently a coup ongoing that's destabilized the country's banking systems. That's what my Nigerian prince pen pal tells me.
Do we still have any info on whether Canada or Mexico would get automatic bids to The World Cup should we win hosting rights? Hell do we know for sure if we would?
Thought I saw something on the # of spots per area and Concacaf would get 6. If this is true then I would expect all 3 countries to get in automatically.
So I don't really feel like gong through this 530 page PDF http://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/united-2026-bid-book.pdf?cloudid=w3yjeu7dadt5erw26wmu but Wikipedia lists a proposed schedule and uses that link as a source. According to the Wikipedia page (which should be taken with a grain of salt), Canada and Mexico would indeed qualify. Canada would be in Group A and would play their opening match in Edmonton. The 2 other teams in Canada's group would play each other in the US and then Canada would play it's second game in one of the other 2 Canadian Stadiums. Mexico is similar to Canada. They would be in Group E and would play their opening game at The Azteca. The two other teams in their group would play each other in the US and then Mexico would play their second game in one of the other two Mexican Stadiums. The US would be in Group I, with it's opening match at The Rose Bowl and second match at Jerry World. The two teams in our group would play each other in either Monterrey or Guadalajara. All 3 would play on the opening day. The US would be guaranteed to play every game in the US. Canada would get to play both the Round of 32 and Round 16 in Canada if they win their group. However they'd have to go to Mexico if they finish second in their group, and would stay in the US from there Mexico would also get to host their first two knockout round games if they win their group, however if they finish second then all their knockout round games would take place in the US. Atlanta and Dallas would host the semifinals, with New York hosting the final
I would like to humbly apologize for triggering anyone with my tasteful, on topic and hilarious Hitler joke. In any event: 2018 sees your Trump, 1936's Hitler and raises us a Putin (has nukes, bonus Blazer!): On topic point being, this is how World Cups get awarded. The peasants don't matter, public opinion doesn't matter, geopolitical hand wringing doesn't matter; all that matters is do we trade enough favors, grease the right palms and kiss the right ass.
Don't you worry. Machines will take over just in time to save the planet from our nukes. Unlike FIFA and most anything human, they will be incorruptible. But hackable.
Some news are being spread saying that #WC2026 will be given to @united2026 before voting. The decision is taken based on the assessment carried out by the FIFA committee. @Morocco2026_EN will be eliminated due to issues in Logistics in Five Moroccan cities.@ProsMarocains pic.twitter.com/voPkEO8gIN— Jalal Bounouar (@BounouarJalal) May 27, 2018
Some news are being spread saying that #WC2026 will be given to @united2026 before voting. The decision is taken based on the assessment carried out by the FIFA committee. @Morocco2026_EN will be eliminated due to issues in Logistics in Five Moroccan cities.@ProsMarocains pic.twitter.com/voPkEO8gIN— Jalal Bounouar (@BounouarJalal) May 27, 2018 Who are those people and why are they cosplaying as Reservoir Dogs.
Do we still want this? Why? Didn't FIFA basically say they need the host to turn a blind eye to foreign worker exploitation and backroom deals?
I want it. I don’t care how we get it or what we have to do to pay people off. And I don’t care if FIFA is corrupt because of course it is. What it will mean for the growth of the game in this country is immeasurable.
I still don't get why they didn't try joining up with Spain/Portugal after the US did so. Especially with the increase in the number of teams.
Please let this happen. I will leave for the train station 10 hours before kickoff because it’ll take me about 9 1/2 hours to take the train 21 miles to get there. I’ll write a blank check for my ticket. Just let it happen.
I have just learned that Fifa has attempted today to eliminate Morocco from the biding process to host the World Cup of 2026. Final decision, however, has not been taken yet. It will be a long night.— Jamil Chade (@JamilChade) June 1, 2018
Morocco was used to get us to agree to their terms, nothing else. Now that it looks like we did, well, their use is over.
Agree with both, especially the latter, the question is more about "It will be a long night". For who? Doing what?
How we all feel about FIFA corruption and back-room dealings now that they are going in our favor? Stroke of genius by FIFA, really, to suck us into their mess. Personally, I think that what they ask for is too much. We shouldn't meet their demands just to host.