Thursday, December 2 brings much anticipation to all lovers of
soccer/football as this is the day that FIFA not only decides the
host of the 2018 World Cup, but also the 2022 World Cup. This just
shows that soccer doesn't sleep as its six months after South
Africa hosted a very successful and exiciting tournament, and 3 and a half
years before Brazil welcomes the world in 2014. On Thursday,
eleven other countries will be on the edge hoping that their
efforts, spending, and bribes go rewarded. Heres a breakdown:
2018 - England, Russia, Spain/Portugal, and
Belgium/Netherlands.
I am totally intirgued by the 2 joint ventures of soccer
powerhouses Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium and Russia's
recent increased efforts to bring international travelers to the
land of Ovechkin. However, there can be no way that England does
not win the right to host the 2018 World Cup. There is too much
money in ticket sales and tv programming for FIFA to continue to
ignore the most notorious bunch of football lovers. The last time
England hosted the World Cup was also the last time they won it in
1966 - which to any Brit is 50 years too long. In fact, I bet
they are already looking at 10-14 year olds looking for some good
talent who won't choke in the country's most important tournament,
unlike the 2010 team who finished 2nd behind the US in their group
before gettin blown out by Germany. England is hosting the 2012
Summer Olympics and although that will be an amazing event, it
won't compare with the demand and excitement of hosting their 2nd
tournament.
2022 - United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea,
Qatar.
Now this is very compelling as most of these countries
folded their hopes for 2018 to the big European
hopefuls. Although South Korea and Japan does everything
world class, they have to be eliminated since they jointly hosted
the World Cup in 2002. Australia offers a great option while their
team has been improving except their poor showing this year, but
they along with the very high spending and beautiful Qatar are
quite far for the die hard spending travelers that make the World
Cup go from Europe, Brazil, Mexico, etc. Even though Qatar
reportedly are doing the best they can to buy the 2022 World Cup, I
think its in the bag for the United States. The US hosted the most
attended World Cup ever back in 1994 and now larger stadiums, more
flights from around the world, already setup infrastucute (albeit
outdated) and a bigger love for soccer is quite enticing.
One would think that Sepp Blatter would like to end his tenure
with having World Cups where FIFA can make the most money in
the powerhouses of England and the US, however history has shown us
to expect the unexpected. The votes are taken by secret ballot and
the winner must be an absolute winner by majority. If not then FIFA
head honcho Sepp Blatter makes the final decision. The last 3 World
Cup selections have occurred under very interesting storylines
regarding bribes and non-votes so expect some drama. ESPN and Fox
Soccer channel will cover the live announcement. In the meantime we
will be offering packages to other internatioanl sporting events
such as the 2011 ICC
Cricket World Cup, 2011 IRB Rugby World
Cup in New Zealand, and the 2012 Summer
Olympics in London.
GO USA!!!
