The FIFA executive committee decided in Zurich that the first WC since 1978 will be held in South America in 2014. CONMEBOL demanded to increase the number of participants to 36 [for 2006 already as it seems]. The South Americans are unsatisfied with having only four teams. The WC Executive Committee sent the request to the WC Organising Committee under the leadership of Franz Beckenbauer to clear whether this can be realised that quickly. The European clubs reached a big success at the meeting. South American agreed to the WC qualifier dates suggested by UEFA. The qualifyers now are played in seven double and four single games. That way the travel stress for the players under contract in Europe is reduced. Also, the South American association accepted to play friendlies outside of Europe without players, who are under contract in Europe.
2014 going to CONMEBOL is a huge disappointment for those who are hoping to see another World Cup in the United States relatively soon. I can't really imagine them going South America and North America consecutively, so that pushes the U.S. back all the way to probably 2022. Of course, this rotation agreement may break down at some point as the European powers realize that doing a rotation in the truest sense of the concept means they'll only have the opportunity to bid on 1/6 of the tournaments. It may be thrown out once the African host is determined and chalked up as a case of implementing a policy just to serve Blatter's interest in getting a World Cup in Africa.
If this true then it is a great thing. It has been way to long since a South American country has hosted a World Cup.
YES!!!! Finally some justice from FIFA. It's been already 25 years since the last WC was held in Southamerica. By the time 2014 arrives, it will be 36 years. I think we should've gotten it sooner, but nevertheless this is good news. And yes, the matter about the extra half spot or third part of a spot for Conmebol in the WC is still in the air. Here waiting with my fingers crossed. http://www.fifa.com/Service/MR_A/52381_E.html
South america deserves it, but i don't quite understand why they have been given this promise when the 2010 host has not yet been decided.
Because the 2010 WC has been promised to Africa. El Maestro - Don't blame FIFA for not having a WC for that long. Blame Colombia. It should have been theirs in 1986 until they botched it.
Has there been any release from FIFA on when the CONMEBOL qualifiers will start for the 2006 WC? They were supposed to make that decision during these meetings and it was said that the qualifiers were going to begin this August. So if anyone has any info please reply, thanks.
Actually nevermind, I just found out that they will begin this August. This is great news I think. Although starting qualifying 3 years in advance to the finals is a bit early, I am excited that it's this soon and it also helps scheduling for the players in South America.
We'll see how FIFA plans to do it and also what happens in the future. But Women's WC was Asia, Europe, America and back to Asia, so you might say that the rotation is east, middle and west of the world. If they'll do it similarly with the men's WC, then it would be even 2026 until USA gets the next possibility. Sounds horribly long such waiting time, maybe it's really time to cut the continental trophies in favour of WC every two years.
Its about time, only 64 years since Brazil hosted!!!! Brazil should get it by farrrr. Here is a thread in which I comment on Brazilian cities and stadiums for a possible WC. https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/newreply.php?action=newreply&threadid=8896
CNNsi link I'm glad to see that FIFA stopped shafting the Americas, but giving the Africa a birth, presuming SA, is still presumptuous of them being able to provide adequate lodging, security, transportation and host an event free of violence and corruption. They do have a smattering rubgy facilities that are world class, but I don't think there are enough of them to go around w/o building new ones like SK did. That being said, it may be a bit chauvinistic of me to have this position, but it would be hard to argue against the know resource advantages the US has. IMHO, FIFA would be best served by bringing the WC here in 2010 and then if SA infrastructure is more viable by 2014, allowing it to go there. If it appears otherwise no later than 2k8, then give it to Europe again. I don't think it would be wise to have anothr duel host again for quite some time. So OCEANA should be ruled out until 2020.
Great to see South America will host the 2014 WC. It has been too long since they last hosted the WC.
I agree with the idea of Brazil (1950) hosting, or maybe somewhere like Chile (1962) or Paraguay (never).
I don't know why so many people are still hoping that some how africa will not get the 2010 WC. South africa for example has everything that is needed and a strong and stable economy that is growing faster than western europe and the US. S. Africa also has much better infastruturce than S. America. I am also 100% in favour of S. America getting the 2012 WC however, and hopefully oceania after that. the following is a week old article about S. Africa economic outlook from http://allafrica.com/stories/200302260459.html South Africa's Economy to Grow By 3.3 Percent This Year: Manuel BuaNews (Pretoria) February 26, 2003 Posted to the web February 26, 2003 Mantshele Wa Ga Tau Pretoria South Africa's resilient economy has beaten all odds and is now poised to grow by 3.3 percent during 2003, rising to four per cent in 2005, a confident finance minister Trevor Manuel said in Cape Town, this afternoon. The country has been experiencing positive growth since 1993. Delivering his Budget speech in Parliament, Cape Town, the minister said investment grew by 6.3 percent in 2002 and is expected to continue to grow around 6 per cent a year over the medium term. Mr Manuel pointed out that South Africa had, in just nine years since reaching democracy, worked hard to push back the frontiers of poverty and rebuild a tattered economy in order to return pride to its people. After a long wait by the domestic and international markets, the minister delivered his Budget in the coastal city - painting a picture of good economic outlook with tight fiscal discipline as well as dire commitment to meeting the social needs of the country. Today's budget speech is the eighth since he took over the finance ministry. 'The resilience of our economy in this global context is testimony to the success of the reforms that we have implemented. Gross domestic product grew by 3 per cent last year. 'We have steered clear of the illusion that is populism. We have sought to build rather than postulate. We have chosen decision over vacillation. We have chosen progress over stagnation. We have chosen inclusion over exclusion. We have chosen stability over chaos. We have chosen predictability over irrationality,' the minister said, oozing confidence. International rating evaluator, Moody's Investors Service, announced today that it had changed South Africa's Baa2 country ceilings for foreign currency debt and bank deposits to positive from stable. The rating agency cited declining government debt rations, improved external liquidity and careful macro economic management that compared favourably to South Africa's peers as the reason for change. According to Mr Manuel, government's money this year would be spent on its skills development programme, stepping up infrastructure investment and tax incentives to boost industrial growth and employment and the redistribution of land, amongst others.
Argentina 2014 Well, maybe this was the incentive that we needed. We now have 11 years to rebuild our country.
I would favor a joint Colombia/Venezuela bid, if FIFA would allow it. Yes, the political/social situation isn't great but it's not that far off from the other countries in CONMEBOL. So they may be in a level playing field, after all. Venezuela, while they never have been in the big show, still has the oil wealth. They're a member of OPEC. The political upheaval has roots in the poor distribution of wealth over there but I think they'll sort that out in the end. They have to or they'll end where Argentina is right now. Colombia has the better football tradition of the two but they're mired in a long civil war that the populace already is tired of. Even then, the various factions have shown to be willing to stop fighting for major events, like during the Copa America 2001. Then there's the distinct possibility that there would finally be peace in that nation, but there would still be the cost of rebuilding, etc.. This is where it could get interesting. Combine the relative wealth of Venezuela and the know-how and ingenuity of Colombians and you may have a bid that could seriously rival the Brasilians. The travelling distances won't be that great even though it's two countries. Folks from all over the world would be exposed to the rich cultures of both countries. A caveat would be not to host matches in high-altitude cities like Bogotá or Manizales. Still, combine the two countries and you'd have about nine or ten cities who could host matches: Barquisimeto, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Caracas, Cúcuta, Maracaibo, Medellin, San Cristóbal, Valencia.
So they were ready to host 2006 but you dont think they'll be ready to host untill 2014? You're talking more rubbush. SA is perfectly able to host the WC. Adequate lodging? SA has the highest tourist revenue in Africa, lodging is not a problem at all. Transportation...again, no problem. Violence? The only violence problem SA has is with street crime. All though crime rates are high in SA, the high crime are in the ghetos and poorer areas, just like any country. Corruption? Your thinking of some where else, SA has as much problem with corruption as the rest of the world. Your post displays your ignorance, have you ever even been to SA? Do you even know anything about the country? (Obviously not). You're just stereotyping the country in comparison to the few other African nations you see on CNN. w/o building new ones? Looks like i'm gonna have to bring out the big guns again.... Johannesburg, FNB Stadium (90,000): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/johannesburg_fnb.jpg Johannesburg, Ellis Park (59,611): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/johannesburg_ellis1.jpg Durban, ABSA Stadium (55,000): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/durban_absa.jpg Pretoria, Loftus Versfeld (52,000): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/pretoria_loftus.jpg Cape Town, Newlands Stadium (50,900): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/cape_town_newlands.jpg Qwa Qwa, Charles Mopeli Stadium (50,000): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/qwa_qwa_mopeli.jpg Bloemfontein, Free State Stadium (36,538): http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/africa/south_africa/bloemfontein_rugby.jpg Plus the Odi Stadium in Pretoria (60,000) and numerous 30-40,000 capacity stadiums. There is no need for building new stadiums, only upgrading some. Which even Germany are doing. SA has the stadia matching and far surpassing even most western Europe nations. Are you also forgetting SA hosting the Rubgy WC perfectly and are currently hosting the Cricket WC, again with none of the problems you've stated? They even hosted the Rugby WC only a couple of years after coming out of apartheid for gods sake! Africa is getting the 2010, when are you going to get that into your head? Even if something incredibly major happens and it doesnt, it sure as hell wont go to the USA. South America would then be brought to 2010 instead of 2014 and even if that didnt happen the USA STILL probably wouldnt get it! As far as i'm aware the USA isnt the only country in North America , i read a document from the Canadian F.A not long ago about Canada proposing a bid for the 2010 WC (before it was promised to Africa). So ti wouldnt surprise me if they put in a bid that they'd win considering it was only 1994 the USA last hosted it. As for South America hosting 2014...this is great news. I think Brazil would be the favourites. 36 places? I'd think that would be pretty good aswell. As long as Europe only got 1 of those extra 4 places, if any at all.
Good for S. America, it's a footballing region of great tradition and it'll be good to see the WC there again. No doubt it'll be back to Europe in 2018 and I think England will get it (damn, I'll be 40 ) After that? Maybe a return to the States or perhaps even to Oceana.
The 36 teams proposal is a bit of a joke but 32 is the ideal number 8 groups of 4 with the top 2 moving on to the next phase FIFA will probably approve it, more teams, more games, more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Re: Argentina 2014 DavidPalbo... I saw membership info.. where it said: Location: Tustin, California, USA I am going to assume that you are NOT a citizen of the USA?
Such an old guy you'll be. Hopefully some sense will get randomly knocked into you by then. The main question now will be where will the 2018 WC go? Of course all the other (non Africa or S America) continents want it, but what criterion will FIFA use? - It will go to Europe if FIFA puts an emphasis on the biggest (richest) leagues in the world. Not in Europe's favor of course is that they would have just had the 2006 WC, which brings us to.. - Oceania (Australia with maybe a joint bid with New Zealand) being the only confederation who hasn't yet hosted the event. The question here is does FIFA think 1) of Oceania and AFC as being basically the same place as so many posters here seem to imply and 2) the oceania doesn't really deserve full confederation status also as posters here often feel? I think not and an Oceania bid for 2018 looks very real to me. Thus.. - The odds that Asia could get the 2018 WC seem rather low. They'll have to wait longer like... - North America will wait longer too, though I'd say N America will get a WC in either 2022 or 2026, fighting the loser of the 2018 race, Europe or Oceania for the rights, and before Asia gets another one. So I see the 2018 WC race as being between Australia and England (Europe) with N America a distant third (possible but unlikely). So how would FIFA settle this debate? Probably in the executive committee like they did when they announced that first Africa then S America will get their WC's. The weird thing there is that if oceania gets the rights then it means only one possible country who might share it with another (they probably will) and we won't have the drawn out site reviews, etc that we are used to.
I'd hope that England, the founders of the game, would get a chance to have the Championships for the second time, and the first in 52 years, in 2018. If we missed out on that then when would be the next opportunity? It would basically mean that an entire generation would never see the WC played at the home of football (sorry about the cliche's but it helps make my point ) IMO that's totally unacceptable, especially when you consider that several other countries have already had it twice. I can't see the 2018 WC going anywhere else than Europe so I think England have an extremely good chance of getting it. The reason is simple, a gap of nigh on 20 years between world cups in Europe would result in European outrage, not a good thing from FIFA's perspective.
Re: Re: Argentina 2014 Errrr. That is personal, no? Anyway, I've nothing to hide. I am legally in the USA and have an import-export business. I do business with my country (Argentina) although lately I've lost money there. I am Argentine always in my heart. I love going back and I hope we can help rebuild our nation through trade. I am choosing now to live and do business in America and America has been good to me. As a resident of the US I love and support the country, though sometimes I dissagree with some of the policies of the government. But that is a debate for a different forum. PS: Back to our topic. I grant that Argentina's economy has to improve if it hopes to bid for 2014. But for a Colombia-Venezuela joint bid to happen, a lot of major changes have to take place in both countries in a very short time. I don't see it.
If you look back at the previous World Cups and forward to the announced future World Cups you get an idea of where the World Cup will go... 1994.....United States..........North America 1998.....France...................Europe 2002.....Japan/Korea............Asia 2006.....Germany................Europe 2010.....?..........................Africa 2014.....?..........................South America The next confederation in the list is... Oceania is very different to Asia. The majority of Kiwis and Aussies are of European descent with Asian and Pacific Island citizens as well. It is this mix of cultures living in relative harmony that make New Zealand and Australia two of the best countries to live in. Oceania has very close links to Asia, and long may that remain, but we are different to Asia. If Oceania was to join with the AFC then the Pacific Island nations, who are very welcome members of Oceania, would be overpowered by the much larger Asian nations and soccer in these nations would be condemed to never develop. This is not what Oceania or FIFA want. Because the Oceania confederation is so small all the nations work together without some of the infighting and conflict we see in the larger confederations. All the Oceania nations would work together to create a fantastic World Cup that would showcase to the world what the Oceania area is all about. The Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990 were called the "Friendly Games" and visitors to the Sydney Olympics in 2000 were overawed with the hospitality of the Australians. When FIFA decides to grant Oceania the World Cup we will not let FIFA down. If you want to see one of the many things that we can add to the World Cup then have a look at this piece of Maori culture that the All Blacks (the New Zealand rugby team) and several other New Zealand teams use - http://www.rugbyfootball.com/multimedia/videos/haka_video.avi. Crowdie.