There is serious doubt right now as to whether South Africa will be able to host the World Cup in 3 years. They have not progressed the way they should have by now, and things do not look good. The stadium-building has barely begun, their infrastructure still poses many problems, their crime rates are high, and their government is lacking funds. It would be disastrous for African football if they cannot pull this off, but as I'm sure FIFA has some backup plans in place, one of those last-minute hosts could be us. So what do you think about that, huh? The first time was great, it kicked off MLS, but the second time would be even better, don't you think? What a time to come here, just as MLS is looking to turn it up a notch. It could further solidify the sport's hold in this country. I do hope South Africa can pull it off, though, because African nations need this. But it takes a lot of money and resources, and they either have it or they don't. So let's be ready.
Personally, I think I'd rather have it in 2014 because I think our 2014 team will be better than our 2010 team, therefore giving us a better chance for a deeper run. But I'll take whatever World Cup we can get.
There has already been talk about the US doing it. It could very well happen and why not the 1994 WC was a great success by anyones standards.
Wow, I actually think our 2010 team could be absolutely fantastic and take the world by storm. With players like Ferrari, Altidore, Felihaber, Charlie Davies, Adu, Bradley, Rico, and a slew of other young starlets coming into their prime and DMB, Deuce, Gooch, Dolo, Convey, Mapp, and Landon all still in their 20s, we will have the deepest, most experienced and most talented pool in US history. Coupled with the tail end of the Beckham MLS mania, where soccer will likely be at it's most popular status ever (IMO) it would be the perfect time for another US WC. IMO, they'll let this play out as long as possible, allowing SA every opportunity, unless SA admits soon they can't do it. If so, the US will be the only real option to host, other than maybe Germany, as we're the only nation with the infrastructure to complete such an event in a short period of time.
call me a sooky la la but i think it would be kind of unfair to other nations if usa got another world cup when your last one was only 13 years ago. im not saying australia should get it (we're not ready anyway). but surely there are other nations that could be emergency aswell. like england who havnt hosted in almost 50 years.
The US is not the only option to host, but they would be near the top. England would be an obvious choice also, but there are also several other countries in Europe that have the infrastructure and stadiums -- Germany, France, Italy, maybe Holland. Heck, even Mexico or Australia could take on the task. The US may be a likely choice, but we are far from being the only "real" option.
Europe is not likely to host two consecutive World Cups. With that in mind, who are the "real" options? - Mexico? a 3rd time? - Australia? are they ready yet? - Brasil? Brasil would be a good choice if they have all the stadiums and infrastructure ready, but I think their target is 2014; if they are not ready by 2010 and USA gets it, Brasil is screwed. - USA? I think the U.S. is a very legitimate choice. The World Cup hasn't been in the Americas for 16 years, so Concacaf or Conmebol is the favorite. And if Africa blows it this time, they can forget about staying in the rotation...
I do not want it in 2010 as it would now mean the US is the back up WC spot (WWC 2003 and WC 2010). WWC 1999 was more enjoyable than WWC 2003 because the promoters had years to get the hype going. The same with the World Cup. I would rather 6 years of slowly building hype, ads in soccer stadia, sponsors getting on board, than a hastily thrown together WC.
Agreed. And it's much better to wait until the sport has grown some more and is better understood in this country than to have another cup with soccer bashers and ignorant espn sportscenter talking heads having a field day. Let the sport grow naturally and organically here via exposure to Copa America, EPL, Serie A, La Liga, Champions League, the European Championships and of course MLS. Then when we do a WC, we'll do it right and it'll be a blast.
Europe hosting 2 WCs in a row is not that out of line when suggesting that the Americas host to in a row -- US 2010, Brazil 2014. England has only hosted once, which was 1966. Australia likely could be ready considering that rugby stadiums would work and their infrastructure is fine. Mexico may be a stretch since they've hosted twice I'll admit. What about Canada though? Several CFL stadiums that are plenty big enough for soccer fields (the CFL plays on longer and wider fields than the NFL). Yes, I think the US is a very legit choice, but I don't believe we are the only choice.
Whats comming up later the European championships being played in Austria and Switzerland 2008 any one get their tickets for that yet? Too close to Germany to get the next WC I think especially right after getting the last WC.
If there are two things the US can do it's get up to speed on just about any event fast, and market and hype it quickly. WC1994 was a huge success (regardless of the USMNT's performance) and we had arguably much less exposure to soccer in this country than we do currently. The bashers and SportsCenter anchors are going to be there no matter what. They have been for 40 years. First year attendance of MLS games after the 94 WC were quite good. Whether the World Cup affected that or whether it was the newness of the league is debatable. But it had to have some influence. I can't see it being bad for soccer in general in the US whether it's in 2010, 2014 or 2018.
No, if USA hosts 2010, I don't think Brasil will get 2014. That's why I said Brasil would be screwed. It would probably be Europe 2014, Asia 2018, Americas 2022.
Australia really doesn't have many big rugby stadiums - I think only 3 over 25,000 or so (with half as dozen or so around that number). The rest of their big grounds are all ovals.
We have a ton of great venues now (thanks NFL) but the two biggest markets have ************ stadiums. The US can wait.
right now we have a few stadiums that are ready and nothing needs to be done to them mcg, oval and 100,000 telstra stadium, rectangle and 85,000 telstra dome, oval and 56,000 suncorp stadium, rectangle and 60,000 there are other afl grounds with large capacities but they wont be suitable at all. either way you look at it, we are not ready. it will be better for us to host in 2018 after we have built a few stadiums for the tournament and set everything up right. there is also the issue of afl season being on during the world cup.. the government will probably make them take a month or 2 off or use the stadiums that arent being used for the world cup.
I was saying that if FIFA allows this to play out as long as possible (2007 Confeds), the U.S. is the only real candidate to host one on 1 years notice. If the UK hosted on 1 years notice there would be a lot of games played in 30k capacity stadiums. There's at least 24 stadiums capable of holding 60K+ capacity without any renovations or building. Really, what nation has a larger number of huge stadiums and the infrastructure to handle the crowds built and ready to go at a moments notice? VERY few nations can prepare for a WC in 1 year. If a choice is made even 2 years prior that opens the doors for many nations, but 1 year is not enough to build and renovate...
We have infrastructure in place. Look at the stadium options (likely) available: New York (Meadowlands) RFK or Redskins Stadium in DC Ford Field in Detroit Soldier Field in Chicago Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis Jerry's World in Dallas Reliant Stadium in Houston Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, AZ Georgia Dome (possible) Rose Bowl ....and on and on. The 2010 WC in the USA is a real possibility.
WC 2010 is definately going to happen in the US. Shouldnt Mexico have a shot to host it too. They hosted it last in 86 and their team wasnt able to compete because they were banned. Either way i think its coming to the western hemisphere. As far as the FIFA rotation of the world cup Sepp Blatter has said that after 2014 Brazil, the rotation strategy is done. This being said, if this world cup in South Africa doesnt happen, it will be a dark day for all of African soccer, because they might never get another shot at it. Thats the real injustice here
Just had to jump in with my two euros. The world elite appear bound and determined to pull this thing off in South Africa largely for the sake of appearance. Despite the rot inside the continent, they want to show off a pretty whitewashed sepulchure as a feel-good pretty-face to the outside civilized world. Africa's World Cup. How nice. Blatter and his bilious bastards. Off the soap box.