In the midst of all the news emerging from the FFA’s annual general meeting, the reiteration from Frank Lowy of Australia’s determination to stage the 2018 bid comes at a time when European powers are lining up to bring the World Cup back to the sports heartland after what will be a twelve year absence.
If Australia wants the 2018 World Cup, it will take some serious political manoeuvrings to make it happen.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter was quoted in May as saying Australia should focus its efforts on 2022 instead. With the next two World Cups in the Southern Hemisphere (South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014), Blatter hinted that the World Cup might have to return to the Northern Hemisphere in 2018.
Never before has Europe been overlooked for two World Cups in a row, let alone three.
UEFA is determined to stage the 2018 World Cup and there is no lack of options emerging.
England is the favourite, having missed out on the 2006 bid.
With the Olympics in 2012 and world-class stadiums littered around the country, it is a genuine contender to stage the tournament, unless the Olympics bankrupt the country!
English football has certainly come a long way from the dark old days of hooliganism and Hillsborough. The World Cup would be the confirmation of the cleansing in the English game.
Spain has also thrown its hat in the ring, with a joint bid with neighbours Portugal.
Spain last held the World Cup in 1982. The only obvious impediment is the amount of racism that still blights the Spanish game.
With regard to stadiums, Spain and England could stage a World Cup next week.
Other European options are Belgium and the Netherlands and also Russia.
Even if Europe doesn’t work out, Blatter could avoid a third straight Southern Hemisphere World Cup with the dark horse of the 2018 bid, the United States.
The FFA certainly has a fight on its hands.
Call me pessimistic but there is an immense amount of work to do for the FFA with stadiums and questions regarding how the other codes will accommodate the tournament into their own calendar.
We have the potential to stage the World Cup one day and it would be a great World Cup, a momentous occasion that would rank up there with the Sydney Olympics, if not higher given how symbolic it would be of football’s journey in this country.
But with Europe appearing to be the favoured option for 2018, perhaps the FFA should switch its focus to 2022.
It seems difficult to imagine Europe going without a World Cup for sixteen years and you wonder how the FFA, even with the support of the AFC, could overcome the political power of UEFA, its European interests and the wishes of President Blatter.
Those extra years will give the FFA time to rally governments across the states for the stadiums we need and other confederations worldwide for the political pull to determine just how the World Cup would be accommodated and avoid a direct confrontation with Europe.
Better to be one of the favourites for 2022 than just one of the contenders for 2018.
jub jub
Guest
2018 England is a given.. but go for both.
Michael C
Guest
KB - aha - good point that I'd overlooked. Roy Masters really has no idea what happens in Melbourne. Says it all really, so, don't listen to him when he tries to claim knowledge on the AFL. Masters is jack of all and master(s) of none.
Koala Bear
Guest
MC, yes and no mention of the Football Homeless World Cup -- not a word... :( ~~~~~~~~ KB
Dave
Guest
danny The Olympics is a good 20 years away, the WC will be difficult to get but a once in a lifetime so why not, Commonwealth Games were here 2 years ago and in reality not many countries can run it, the Rugby WC seems to go around just the big 3-4 Rugby nations so a fair chance of getting that again. No problem with the authorities going for these events. China, UK and USA do exactly the same and wouldnt say they had small man's syndrome.
danny
Guest
whoa, that canberra times article really made me realise something. australia has small man syndrome. we're that 5 foot nothing guy hitting the gym up for 2 hours every day building huge guns to compensate for a lack of height. we're trying to get every conceivable major event going around, in an international chest-puffing facade of significance. adrian, re: other codes. as far as i'm aware fifa regulations are that there can't be any other professional sports in competition with the world cup. ie, should australia get it, afl, league and union would have to take a 4+ week hiatus. complicating matters further is that world cup stadia are not allowed to be used in the four weeks lead up to the cup. it would be difficult, granted, but not impossible. afl would lose (most likely) the 'g and stadium wa. games could continue at telstra dome in melbourne, perth may be sans home games for a month, and there'd be surplus interstate/geelong games for 4 rounds. no biggie. likewise, league would lose a few grounds. but the nrl is blessed with multiple small suburban grounds that won't be in world cup reckoning (i'm thinking paramatta, wollongong, gosford, cambelltown, etc in nsw). entirely manageable. obviously the other codes would be put out by a world cup. but i'm sure the ffa could make them an offer they couldn't refuse. so to speak.
Michael C
Guest
KB - ah, you know what, between now and 2018, the AFL international cup will be held in Australia another 3 times..........gee......I'm surprised that Roy Masters didn't list them. They call masters a journalist.... Journalist MY FOOT HE IS!!!! ;-)
Dave
Guest
Well done KB You seem to be travelling better than both SFC and Chelski!!! :) Certainly with developments of terrorism raising its ugly head again wonder if International sporting bodies may view Australia's geographical isolation as a big positive?
Midfielder
Guest
KB Very interesting link good pick up.
Koala Bear
Guest
Adrian, Dave, Midfield, Towser, Slippery Jim, Das, James Ward, Millster, Jimbo, Norm, attention all the Football tragic; this is an amazing article from one Roy Masters Rugby League Commentator who has written an extraordinary piece on the Big Events... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/sport/balls-and-all-australia-audaciously-bids-for-sporting-bonanza/1373458.aspx?storypage=0 I think every sports commentator is starting to realise that the 2018 FIFA world cup is out there to be won for Australia... ~~~~~~~~~ KB
Koala Bear
Guest
Link, yes they were .. Not sure how long they made it their home ground; 5 seasons at least, the defunct ARL Crushers were using the Lang Park ground during the Super League war.. .. But QE2 was successful for the Broncos when they were there drawing very large crowds in excess of 45k + .. I really do think it should be a real consideration for the 2018 WC .. It would not need too much money to bring it up to scratch and it certainly has the capacity .. ~~~~~~~ KB
The Link
Guest
KB, weren't the Broncs at QE2 for about 10 seasons? FFA would be mad not to include it in any bid projections.
dasilva
Roar Guru
2022 may be better chance but I think 2018 is doable as UEFA is not a united front I can forsee Australia can win the world cup in the same way Jimmy Shoulders and Frank Farina became coach of the socceroos. Two main groups bitterly fighting it out but in the end the unlikely candidate gets the job to ensure the other side isn't too happy. Sort of a "Canberra compromise". I think we can do it. Have faith in Obie One. He has delivered us to the promised land before and he will do it again.
Midfielder
Guest
KB Thanks hope FIFA get back to you soon ....with Obie One there anything is possible ... for me I would prefer the 2022 and allow more time for football to establish... but if it is 2018 I won't complain.
Adrian Musolino
Expert
Here is an article that explains the other codes stance on the WC - http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=soccer&id=3703510 You have to wonder if push came to shove what effort they would make to help the bid and running of the tournament and how they will make sure they don't need the stadiums. This is going to be fascinating to see, an amazing sub plot that could take the code battle to a whole new level.
Midfielder
Guest
Tow Great post on the Asia thing
Koala Bear
Guest
Slippery Jim, thanks for the info on FL and LM... 2018 is ours... ;) ~~~~~~ KB
James Ward
Roar Rookie
You wonder what sort of a deal could be done with New Zealand co-hosting the cup, giving us the extra few stadiums we need, and the AFC and FFA using this as a way to get Oceania into Asia. Seems like it would be win win.
Slippery Jim
Guest
KB, Frank Lowy oes not get a vote on the bid, he is simply part of a FIFA organizing committee, nor does Les. I still think it a possibility for us to win 2018. The last thing FIFA want is to give a boost to English football when they seem determined to squash it under their boot.
Towser
Guest
Heres an interesting story from todays Australian re Football WC ,benefits & the Asian connection. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24743140-5013404,00.html
Koala Bear
Guest
Midfielder, I have just sent an email to FIFA for clarification and confirmation on the 24 man FIFA executive selection committee for the 2018 world cup.. However, I had read that the committee was to be 24 FIFA executives .. On the FIFA link we have 30 so I am awaiting for a reply .. But again I read that we only needed 13 votes to win it from 24.. I should imagine Frank Lowy could vote for Australia his vote would count.. I guess.. Also Les Murray fits in there somewhere as he is a FIFA consultant or executive.. if I am not mistaken.. ~~~~~~~ KB