And of course the train system was very useful in Russia too, even though most of their system is not high speed. Doesn't have to be high speed (who cares? ). What I hope is avoided as much as possible is something like we have with the Euros in 2021. The energy and excitement that is usually confined to one country or a small part of the world is now dispersed across 1.5 continents to the point where the whole vibe is so diluted that it is barely felt at all. 2026 is a bit like this too. Not as bad because one country (US) are the main hosts so in the US it might almost feel the same as if the US was hosting alone. But count me as not a big fan of expanding it beyond 3 host countries.
Unfortunately, that won't be the case. All teams will be playing their two group stage matches in different cities, and some in two different countries. All groups will have their three matches in three different cities. The proposed match schedule is on page 140 of the bid book, in case you want a look for yourself.
the tip on the Bid Book was excellent, thanks I hadn't looked at it before. Also I forgot about there being just 2 group stage games, not 3. But, the bid book also made these statements [emphasis mine] that state that there will be considerations for travel distances: Taking into consideration the regional distribution and the distances between venues, the United Bid prioritized regional clusters for teams and groups. In order to achieve this … the United Bid … has developed a software that is able to generate match schedules according to pre-determined criteria. The software includes special algorithms that calculate the shortest travel distance for the teams from one match to the other. By reducing travel distances for players, staff, and fans the schedule also results in a considerable reduction of the carbon footprint of the Competition. As a result of the above pre-determined conditions, the match schedule tool produced the proposed schedule that includes some elements on regional clustering so they are saying there is some consideration given for "regional clustering" to minimize travel. Teams won't stay in the same city both group stage games, but then that's nothing new. I guess we'll have to wait until the venues are announced and schedule released to see how well their software does at minimizing travel. again, apologize that this really belongs in the 2026 thread.
But with 48 teams, we are going to see a lot of multi nation bids from now on per the words of Infantino himself
for sure! It's the way of the future. As I said I think the only solo bid we're going to see from this point forward is China. And I think they're going to get one of the next few. Not 2030 as Qatar has 2022 but strong chance for 2034.
and they have the money and the will to do it. After hosting the Winter Olympics next year they'll set their sights on a World Cup.
...having said that, if China wants a shoo-in, they can guarantee Infantino a Nobel Peace Prize by joint-bidding with both Koreas
Great. Can't wait to visit a city of 10 million people that has one crappy sports bar full of hookers.
In other words, an adventure. At the 2014 World Cup, a relative and two friends travelled from Uruguay to Salvador de Bahia by car. Let's say it was an unforgettable experience...
No doubt. But adventures can be good and bad....I've had plenty of both while travelling around the world... For me, ease of travel within a host country is a key factor....I'm a bit older now (51), and moving from hotel to hotel and city to city is now a negative, not a positive.
Just whatever they do, please don't put the final in a country that requires quarantine in for 10 days prior to the game at a selected hotel in one of the most expensive cities in the world and multiple medical tests after entering....
As someone who lived in China for five years, and who has visited the country pretty much every year since 1997, I will say only that a World Cup in China would be terrific. Great people, great food, great culture, and great public transportation....
The moment the UK (England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland) confirms their bid for 2030 then they will be overwhelming favorites to host but right now their bid is just potential not 100 percent confirmed. The only bids confirmed are from South America and Spain/Portugal as a joint hosting bid. But I definitely wanna see Africa host 2030 considering the last African World Cup on African soil was 2010 in South Africa. 2010 to 2030...that's 20 years.
I agree the intervals between hosting favours Africa, but the question is which country(s) in Africa can realistically host it?
Like honestly it will be between South America, Europe and Africa for potential bids for 2030. Asia and North America will have to wait until at least 2034 or 2038.