Can the US host the World Cup in 2014 or 2018?

[SoccerPrime]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

They are?...

Most of the newer stadiums (like Seattle, Philly, Cleveland etc) were built with soccer in mind. Or at least thats what they told the public. I think the Philly one for sure is bonk.

But I think most of the NFL stadiums would make nice venues for WC matches. Is there anything better in the US?

[beaveman]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

MLS's Soccer-specific stadiums have at most 27,000 capacity (CRapids stadium is 18k I think).

Since the average attendance at the WC 1994 (USA) was 67,000 I doubt they would to book any of the WC matches at the "small" Soccer-specific stadiums (unless they had a diabolical scheme to charge $1,000 per ticket).

It looks like most of the minor stadiums for France and Japan/Korea were about 30-35,000 capacity, still slightly larger than the MLS stadiums. But most SSS have been built with expanison a possibility. If the cup was to be hosted in the US, would they just expand those stadiums to about 35,000 (which might leave only half full stadiums for the MLS season)?

[Old Ska]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Can the US host the World Cup in 2014 or 2018?

To help this discussion, I have created a map showing only the newest NFL, possible soccer/World Cup friendly stadiums in the USA.

I would have included (newly refurbished) Lambeau Field on this list. 94 was played in a total of like 9 venues, and 2002 was played in 20 I believe (most of these had around 40,000 capacities and the matches regularly had empty seats...getting tickets for me was zero problem at any point) and I think in France in 98 there were 8-10 venues, at least one with a capacity of under 35,000. So, I am not sure what advantage the US has in terms of availible stadiums.

Rice-Eccles main edge is that they have hosted a WCQ.

If I had to guess right now... 2014 Brazil, 2018 may be a joint effort in a European region (Scandinavia, Benelux, or part of Eastern Europe perhaps), 2022 China. China and Brazil's places might switch too depending on the quality of Brazil's application. China has the advantage of holding the 2008 summer olympics and has many (probably way too many) soccer stadiums which make them attractive for 2014. With the US's reputation on the world stage right now I think we have about as good a chance of getting the WC in 2014 or 2018 as Iran and the simple visa nightmare that holding the WC here would pose makes me suspect that our government would not be that excited about it being here anytime soon..

Seriously though, the 2012 London Summer Olympics will probably be more exciting to attend then any World Cup will be in the next 20 years.

[SoccerPrime]

Olympics over WC? Why?

[Old Ska]

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Olympics over WC? Why?

London. 'Nuff said.

[Real Supporter]

USA target 2014 World Cup

[beaveman]

Originally Posted by Real Supporter

USA target 2014 World Cup

4 year old article you are posting?

[soccerman]

Originally Posted by beaveman

4 year old article you are posting?

Hey - don't knock it. The U.S. was 2nd in that table.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

I have to imagine that WC 2014 will be in Europe somewhere. There have never been 2 consecutive world cups held outside of Europe.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will provisionally take place in Brazil. On March 7, 2003 FIFA announced that the cup would be held in South America for the first time since Argentina hosted it in 1978, in line with its policy of rotating the right to host the World Cup amongst different confederations. On March 17 the CONMEBOL associations voted unanimously to adopt Brazil as their sole candidate. The final decision as to hosting will be made sometime in 2008. However, on April 13, 2006 Sepp Blatter said that does not necessarily mean that the tournament would be in Brazil. "For the time being, I don't think Brazil has a stadium for the Cup." But it should be noted, that he had only visited stadiums in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre. On the topic of co-hosting, Blatter advised that FIFA would prefer a single candidate which fulfilled the requirements. It was suggested that Argentina and Chile could launch a joint bid but later reports suggest it unlikely—if Brazil is deemed not to be a runner (the host country must fulfill the requirements in the mandatory regulations), the competition may be held in North America or Asia.

For Brazil to host the 2014 World Cup, the country would need a lot of investment in security and infrastructure.

[AreliusIV]

Bidding to host the 2018 World Cup will close in 2010. Despite expectations to the contrary, FIFA will not necessarily continue with their policy of rotating the right to host the World Cup amongst the different confederations. This policy would have seen the 2018 World Cup being held in either North America (CONCACAF) or Oceania (OFC). However, in an interview with The Sun-Herald the head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, said:

"The World Cup is a very serious matter. There will be good contenders for 2018. The rotation system only goes until 2014. The rotation was a political decision to ensure the World Cup went to Africa, otherwise Africa would never have it."
The World Cup in 2018 could return to Asia, which has hosted the tournament once before (South Korea and Japan in 2002), or Europe (Germany are hosts in 2006). Also, despite having few countries capable of hosting the tournament, some believe CONCACAF has a strong case (last hosted by the USA in 1994). Leaders of the Mexican Football Federation have announced that they will likely bid for 2018. A bid from Oceania, which has never hosted the World Cup, is also a remote possibility, but with Australia leaving the confederation, New Zealand is the only Oceanian nation which has stadia of the capacity required. New Zealand has limited stadia of this capacity. The tournament is unlikely to return to either Africa or South America, which are scheduled for 2010 and 2014 respectively.

Countries that have announced their interest include Australia, England, Mexico, the Netherlands and Belgium (joint bid) and Spain. A bid from Canada is also possible. A bid from China is also likely, though the Chinese are currently focusing their attention on the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.