What if...Canada??? What if in 1986, fifa had granted Canada the world cup vs. Mexico?? This was almost a reality! From what I recall, someone (a country) had the host privilege removed and Mexico was a substitute...or was it that fifa was considered removing the cup from Mexico for reasons I can not recall. Anyway I believe Canada was runner up for host privilege. In essences, if this would have been fruition, the US would have not likely hosted 8 years later, would are national team be performing as poorly as now...wonder what type of contributions this would have had on Soccer Canada. Would we be were the Americans are now?
Re: What if...Canada??? Seems more likely that they would have then hosted 98 the earliest...2002 more likely. Would have placed the WC in N.A. twice in less then a decade, not commonplace.
Re: What if...Canada??? Colombia was supposed to host it originally and it was taken away from them because they failed to meet the minimum infrastructure requirements to host it by the deadline that FIFA had given them. It was then awarded to Mexico, who also was close to losing it because of a huge earthquake that hit Mexico City a few months before the World Cup, that caused mass amounts of damage, but they were able to pull it off in time. Personally, I don't see how this would've affected the US bid. In fact it probably would've encouraged a US bid if this hypothetical World Cup in Canada were to be successful because it would prove that a World Cup could succeed in a country where soccer isn't the number one sport. I do agree that Canada's soccer system might've been different for the men's team. If you look at how the success of the U-19 Women's World Cup that was held a Canada few years ago, has affected the women's program. They have improved rapidly, from the youth level up into the senior team.
Re: What if...Canada??? But that's exactly what did happen. Mexico in 86 US in 94 Canada hosting wouldn't have changed anything regarding USA '94.
Re: What if...Canada??? Just a quick question, and I'm not trying to be a smartass here... Where in the hell would they have hosted WC games in Canada if they were selected? I cannot name 8 Canadian cities with stadiums large enough that fit WC criteria.
Re: What if...Canada??? and it is... don't u know we don't know anyting re geography, or anyting that occurs outside of our own country (opps that must be someone else I am thinking of.)..how common is it that two adjacent english speaking countries(countries of the same cultural heritage) hold the world cup eight years aparts?? That was my point!
Re: What if...Canada??? At the time the CFL was winding down it's heyday in Canada...there were 50,000+ (approx) well kept, still in existence seat stadiums in Toronto, MTl, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Hamilton, Ottawa...there is 9 But your point makes sense...this is why we wont be hosting it anytime soon!
For clarification. Colombia was supposed to host it originally and it was taken away from them because they failed to meet the minimum infrastructure requirements to host it by the deadline that FIFA had given them. It was then awarded to Mexico, who also was close to losing it because of a huge earthquake that hit Mexico City a few months before the World Cup, that caused mass amounts of damage, but they were able to pull it off in time.
Re: What if...Canada??? Only Olympic Stadium (Montreal) and Commonwealth (Edmonton) would have fit the FIFA criteria. Regina still doesn't hold 30,000, McMahon (Calgary) was only maginally over 30,000. Ottawa, Hamilton and Winnipeg were in the same boat. Toronto and Vancouver were indoor, although Empire Stadium may still have existed in Vancouver. Additionally, all had artifical turf except Edmonton. Regina and, I think, Winnipeg are both too small to hold a FIFA sized pitch without removing sideline seats. So, in short, Canada was in exactly the same position as they are now. Now, I can't say wth 100% Certainty that FIFA required 40,000 seat stadia in 1986, but they certainly required regulation pitch dimensions and natural turf.
Re: What if...Canada??? The ex in T.O??? Sky dome was not built until 89!...Ottawa did just hold the grey cup with 60,000 (if that was around then) Hamilton can hold 40,000. We must have a majority of the requirements...why else were we being considered as an emergency backup. In terms of fifa regulations, this past euro was held in several less than 30,000 seat stadiums. Do not know what or are the WC capacity regulations though
Re: What if...Canada??? Where else in the world are there two adjacent English-speaking countries? I think your point is rather irrelevant. If they didn't mind putting the WC in CONCACAF twice in 8 years, why should it matter what language is spoken in the countries involved? Should the WC need to be moved on short notice again (similar to WWC moving out of China) I think there's VERY few countries that could step up to the challenge. Those who recently hosted (France, US, and after '06 Germany, NOT Japorea), plus England. With only a couple years notice at best, it would be an extremely difficult task. The infrastructure would have to already be in place (except maybe for some changes needed to make field size, grass trays, etc, as was done in the Silverdome for WC'94).
Re: What if...Canada??? I think if Canada had the chance to host the WC it is very likely that CA could have picked up some kind of residual momentum similar to what we did after WC94. Or things could have gone the way that they did for the WUSA after such successfull WWC 99. It is a very intersting point to ponder. Who knows? Canada was playing it's best football back then.
Re: What if...Canada??? All I can say is,if Canada was meant to host the World Cup finals that year(assuming we had the proper stadiums),it's not hard to tell that Canada would have probably been the first host country who failed to advance past the group stage...
Re: What if...Canada??? IMO USA really deserved to host a world Cup, it was more than necessary to have a World Cup in the most influent nation of the world....sad but true. If CAN ever hosts a WC, their soccer will improve a lot, same that is happening in the US in the last 10 years , but CAN hosting a world cup is something that is not gonna happen in the next 20 or 30 years
Thats a for sure. In 1986 Canada was consistently better than the USA. WE qualified for 86 USA did not.