photo credit: World Economic Forum
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that Europe will be the focus of the 2018 World Cup bids.
Bids that are currently under review by FIFA for both the 2018 and 2022 Cups include: England, Russia, USA, Australia, and Japan, as well as joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands.
Blatter’s comments have all but officially ruled out USA, Australia, or Japan of hosting the 2018 World Cup.
““From what I’ve discussed with the president of UEFA, Michel Platini, in the last few days in Moscow is that only a European candidate will be evaluated for the 2018 World Cup,” Blatter said. “It’s still not decided, but it’s an idea to help facilitate the work of FIFA and its executive committee.”
In addition to the countries bidding for 2018 and 2022, Qatar, Indonesia, and South Korea have also thrown their names in the hat to host the 2022 Cup.
What does this mean for America’s hope to host the cup? Find out after the jump…
It means we can virtually cross off any chance of hosting in 2018. It also means we can expect quite a fight for the 2022 hosting duties as well. There are many factors that FIFA takes into consideration when deciding on a World Cup host. I can’t even begin to know what most of those factors are, but I can say with certainty that it all comes down to money.
FIFA is in this to make money, a lot of it. And, boy, they sure know how to do that. FIFA has to ensure that whatever location they choose will earn themselves billions of dollars, but also on their minds is bringing the spirit and passion of the game (and thus of FIFA) to converting a country’s population into believers. FIFA wants to be revered, they yearn to be god-like.
So the USA has the ability to make FIFA money, but will the population be converts? Probably not. In 1994, the USA held arguably the most financially successful world cup ever, but what did it do to change the sports landscape in America? Practically nothing. Sure it changed the soccer landscape this country, it started the fire that led to Major League Soccer, started the media’s shift in attitude from after-thought to legitimate, and it certainly was the catalyst that pushed women’s soccer to where it is today. But the big three (NFL, MLB, NBA) still reign, and FIFA is aware of that. But at the same time, soccer is growing in America, and FIFA knows that too.
So what does FIFA do. They look at what I believe is a very, very attractive bid from the USA, and they say 2018 is probably too soon. Better to give the sport another 4 years of growth.
And what does it all come down to for the US bid? Success in South Africa, both from the team and from the fans and supporters here at home. FIFA will have a hard time not awarding 2022 to the US if the team, say, makes the quarterfinals and American fans flock to South Africa in droves and TV ratings exceed expectations.
If those things happen, FIFA will have no choice but award World Cup 2022 to good ol’ USA.
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