Comments on: Europe set for 2018 World Cup, Australia eyes 2022

By: PRSancho

PRSancho — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:47:47 +0000

FIFA never said that it would be a free-for-all to have a shot on hosting a WC in ’18 or ’22. They were clear on “studying the best way to pick the host nations”, much because there are so many candidates.

UEFA getting 2022 would meant they are officially out of 2026-2030 bidding contest. Athough FIFA could always change the rules, both scenarios would be just plain stupid. So, they will give UEFA the 2018 WC. And doing so, automatically all European bids are out-of-contention for 2022 and 2026. And the 100-years celebration in 2030 would be in Europe!

That said, it would be a suprise to other nations than USA or Australia to host in 2022. It’s a 50% shot.

By: Timmuh

Timmuh — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:13:55 +0000

Indonesia would introduce one big obstacle. That is, what if (as unlikely as it is) Israel was to qualify. Would FIFA give a World Cup to a nation which forces Israelis to go through all sorts of additional processing being being allowed to enter. At least Indonesia, unlike some nations, does allow Israelis to enter in some circumstances and any prospective World Cup squad would most likely fall into that category. Their supporters might not.
The politics; particularly in Europe; of FIFA giving a nation with those anti-Israeli laws a World Cup would (rightfully, in my opinion) not be good.

By: Marshall

Marshall — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:10:08 +0000

Sport is often used by politicians as an escape from politics. Watch Obama and the US make a serious play for 2022

By: ItsCalledFootball

ItsCalledFootball — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:36:34 +0000

FIFA are having no trouble selling tickets:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisation/ticketing/news/newsid=1162835.html#two+million+tickets+sold+2010+fifa+world+cup+south+africa

With 22 weeks still to go, two thirds of all tickets have already been sold and 55 of the 63 matches are oversubscribed in at least one category.

Some European countries have actually asked for more tickets and this WC will be a big success – as usual.

By: Digital TV - meh

Digital TV - meh — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:42:50 +0000

Heard of Iraq? Afghanistan? Things like that – they aren’t that popular around the world you know.

By: westy

westy — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:33:52 +0000

I realise that I am not an expert in the field but I believe a joint Australian / Indonesian bid for the 2022 World Cup would have a compelling bid. It may well have united the Asian delegates behind one bid. Japan ‘s late bid is spoiler especially for us.

By: Cpaaa 2018

Cpaaa 2018 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:14:21 +0000

Seppo has a big mouth and only one vote,he has changed his mind 100 times which indicates that there is no clear favorite for the hosting of 2018 or the 2022. Its all speculation even here on the Roar, which i think can only be a good thing for the Australia bid. Australia is making enough noise for the 2018 bid which could work in our favor for 22, if the rights do go to Europe on the first one.

Just dont underestimate Frank Lowy. Only when FL pulls the plug and says we have no hope , will I believe the dream of hosting a WC is truely over.

Our bid is still on track, with only a year away its only going to get hotter from here, just dont pay too much attention to the non-believers whom had little faith from the beginning.

Cpaaa 2018

By: george

george — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:15:32 +0000

Its always amazing how the boys at the top get away with things like this .

By: jimbo

jimbo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:24:10 +0000

Don’t believe a word Sepp Blatter says – he was merely talking about a conversation he had with Michelle Platini, the head of UEFA.

Even if it is true and 2018 goes to Europe, the money is not wasted – it is for 2 WC bids 2018 and 2022.

If 2018 goes to Europe it will mean Europe are out of the running for 2022. And with 2010 in Africa and 2014 in South America that will leave Asia and North America for 2022.

Australia or the US as the main contenders, so our chances of winning 2022 have improved significantly.

By: Tifosi

Tifosi — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:10:39 +0000

I suggest you read this then if you think the Executive Committee would not change things

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/12/28/1713666/world-cup-2010-sepp-blatter-awards-lucrative-ticketing

“The firm, based in FIFA’s home city Zurich, was picked in 2007 by the 24-man executive committee after a public tender.”

By: Victer

Victer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:48:15 +0000

not one of them has a chance anyway i do not know why they are bothering to bid

By: hazza

hazza — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:44:30 +0000

Cant see how Sepp(the rat) Blatter is going to get this one through. It would have to be ratified by the 24 member executive of which only 8 are European. Unless its made official its business as usual as far as the bid is concerned.

By: pimbo

pimbo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:12:38 +0000

No probs getting rid of them.

If you sign up for Auskick the AFL gives you a free bag of goodies, a free NAB bank account and free tickets to the World Cup.

By: george

george — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:32:48 +0000

With the amount of unsold tickets being returned to South Africa for the world cup from all european nations competing , as fans refuse to go due to many reason . FIFA will be looking to recoupe the money from the 2018 , 2022 world cups . This will all come down to who they see will put the most bums on seats .

By: pimbo

pimbo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:06:59 +0000

Terrific news.
We’ll still be able to see GWS against the Demons at the MCG in June 2018 after all.

Australian football is worse than training for a second division German team anyway.

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:58:18 +0000

John Duerden has written a piece. He is pretty much the number one english speaking write on asian football and i ahve read many of his pieces and still can’t tell if he is pro or anti Australia.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1775/asian-editorials/2010/01/27/1763053/asian-comment-as-australia-cant-win-2018-bid-anyway-europe

Interesting that he mentions “As far as 2018 is concerned, South Korea, Japan, Qatar and Indonesia are actively working against Australia, both inside Asia and out, and making sure that it will not get the votes it needs.”

By: AndyRoo

AndyRoo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:28:28 +0000

where probably lucky this came out now, lets those bids from non European confederations know what they are up against. Unfortunately I don’t think there is a “rest of the world” block but their should be. Threaten them back that they will never ever get to host the world cup again.

By: Mick

Mick — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:33:25 +0000

When Sepp travels to Asian countries he will change his story, when Sepp travels to the USA he will have a different story, that is why they go through the processn, if we miss out at least we know what is required for 2026

By: Kazama

Kazama — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:29:36 +0000

Jeb – didn’t know that a confederation was locked out for two cups after hosting – however, as we’ve seen here and in previous instances (such as Oceania getting a WC spot then losing it a couple months later) the rules can change at any point when FIFA is involved.

I’m thinking Russia because it kills two birds with one stone – gives UEFA the cup, gives the cup to a country that hasn’t hosted a major football tournament before (not a WC or Euro anyway). Also, of the bidding nations Russia has most recently hosted the UCL final, one of a few possible hints that UEFA desires to build up Russia.

Agree on that if England get the cup we might be out of it – not just because of the “Anglosphere” angle but also because of the fact we are still in the Commonwealth…

By: MV Dave

MV Dave — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:53:42 +0000

Africa 2010, Americas 2014, Europe 2018, Asia (Australia) 2022 seems like a reasonable rotation. Asia’s power is grwoing within FIFA and certainly they bring the most tv viewers. With Football becoming even more popular in this region and even in India then having a WC with favourable timezones is very important. That this area of the world (Oz) has never hosted the cup, it is a safe venue with a sports mad population is also very important. Whilst a WC in the USA would be bigger (attendance wise) the greater influence would be felt in Oz and Asia in general if the WC was here.
BTW Dont underestimate the influence of Lowy who wont give up easily on Oz hosting 2018 never mind 2022.

By: Jeb

Jeb — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:50:45 +0000

Agree with you Kazama – wasn’t a uefa country always going to win 2018 anyway? All this may do is make the bidding processes more efficient. That said, it’s a terrible look – changing things at last minute.

But europe will never get two cups in a row. As the fifa bid rules stand, a hosting confederation is locked out for the next two cups. So unless this rule changes between now and december…

Interesting that your gut says russia. mine says spain/portugal. regardless, i’d agree with comments below that we perhaps would stand a better chance if england didn’t win 2018 – anglosphere etc.

By: hazza

hazza — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:49:33 +0000

There must be an election in the air. If Blabber is doing the rounds to appease the Confederations I am looking forward to what he will say when he comes this way.

By: Towser

Towser — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:22:58 +0000

Frank Lowy still talking the talk:-

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/australia/lowy-aussie-bid-on-track-283057

Time to wear out the carpets on your mediterranean yacht Frank. How can Frank exploit this about Hydra Sepp:-

“The weakness of the Hydra was that only one of its heads was immortal.”

By: Marcel

Marcel — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:11:28 +0000

Absolutely AF.

Europe only has 8 votes on the committee. If the other delegates see this as being too dictatorial then it wont get up. CAF and CONEMNBOL are both locked out of the bids so it would be difficult to strike any meaningful deal / payoff for their support. As superficial as it sounds there are probably a few delegates who might fancy a 1 month holiday in Oz come 2018.

By: Victer

Victer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:00:25 +0000

haha i agree, maybe turning around a 1.34 trillion dollar deficit might be one of them.

By: True Tah

True Tah — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:50:24 +0000

Roger why would the world hate giving anything to the anglosphere.

Maybe the FFA should sell Australia as a non-anglo country?

By: Roger Rational

Roger Rational — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:41:42 +0000

Do you reckon they’ll vote for one Anglo country in 2018 followed by another in 2022? I doubt it. Look at England’s ’06 bid or Chicago’s Olympics bid – hamstrung because most of the world hates giving anything to the Anglosphere. Australia’s best chance of winning 2022 is if someone like Spain or Russia gets 2018.

By: Kazama

Kazama — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:41:20 +0000

I think we all pretty much knew deep down Europe would get 2018. With their power, it is impossible to have them not hosting a World Cup for 16 years…

What I would warn people from thinking – even if Blatter says it (we all know his track record) – is that if the 2018 cup goes to a European nation that the 2022 edition won’t. Don’t rule out UEFA getting back to back World Cups.

I have a gut feeling that Russia will get one of them.

And I agree with Towser – our chances would be greater if the AFC had have unified the region behind us…but such is life in the world of football politics…

By: Australian Football

Australian Football — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:26:00 +0000

Blatter does not speak for the 25 man FIFA executive committee who are made up from the all of the confederations of FIFA not just Europe.. Blatter when he was in Australia said we had good chance of winning the 2018 bid then in England said their bid was an excellent one and they stood a good chance same with Qatar’s bid.. The point is he tells whoever he is speaking to what they want to hear.. He only has one vote, and the other confederations have their interests too; so we are still in the hunt for 2018 make no mistake about that..

~~~~~~
AF

By: AGO74

AGO74 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:18:13 +0000

i think obama has more pressing concerns than who hosts the world cup.