The Russian bear roars

Absolutely agree, Pip, but would add that it wasn't just about cash, but also about public relations. I have already argued this in other posts. There's been a much broader, longer term and multi faceted game plan in all of this. In those terms, which would require a whole article to analyse, I would say that it has already succeeded. I think the bottom line, politically, is this: there is no significant long term international commercial benefit for the Federal Government to support any code other than football. Only football opens international doors. The Federal government now understands this, and the commercial and strategic benefits of having a viable international football presence are crystal clear. This, above anything else, will ensure long term, active government support for the World Game in this country. Federal money for sport is under siege, as we have seen from the Olympic funding furore. Football has now assured its future funding.

Its either the Russians or us that will get the WC maybe even Qatar they have allllottttttttt of money and Sepp Blatter loves his $$$$$$$$

Russia won't have a timezone problem being the largest nation in the world. The furthermost Russia will go is playing games in Kazan. There economy is very strong(2cnd in Europe) the country has grown very prosperous under Putin and Medvedev so they seem very capable of hosting 2018. 2018 is between the English and the Russians. Australia is aiming for 2022, 2018 shouldn't even be an idea.

It' not important whether Australia will or will not host 2018 or 2022. We were never, ever, ever going to get within coo-ee of 2018. 2022 remains a possibility, but nothing more. Why isn't it important? What was important from the very start was getting Rudd to believe it was a possibility - which Lowy and the FFA achieved. Step 2 is to get Rudd to invest $1 billion in new infrastructure. That's the bit that's proving more difficult. As soon as Rudd starts to understand that we don't stand too much of a chance - that will be that - and it will be back to square one. Actually hosting the event was a secondary consideration - getting the cash upfront was the real driver.

I was one of those millions watching....but I do not see your point. People our age (i'm in my late 20's btw) watch sports which we like...domestic leagues weeks in weeks out, and the odd big event. I am not a massive soccer fan but I will whatch the World Cup (regardless of whether Australia is in it or not). I will concede Australia do not need to host it...Permit me to rephrase: I think they should certainly qualify for it. And to do so, the Australian team need exposure to the best leagues in the world...hence Pim's refusal to use any A-league "stars" unless all other avenues are exhausted. So its a catch 22....to do well internationally, our best player MUST leave these shores (and hence the A-leage will suffer as a result).

James you are a tool as well mate. We don't need to host the WC for the league to do well here.. Let's just make that point.. Sure the league will get a massive boost if we do host it, but is not something required to be successful. Just remember 2006, millions of Australian's watching SBS at 2am in the morning WEEKNIGHTS.. Unheard of, and will continue in South Africa and any other WC in any other time zone.

The Wallabies at the last world cup which they went is chances of winning (they were also runners up in the last one) got out rated by the Matildas. I can see the Wallabies winning more games (this year has been unusually bad), and I can even see the VRU team doing ok but I think the horse has bolted in them trying to match the Soceroos for support regardless of wether they qualify for 2014. The Tahs then the Reds would have to win the next two Super 15 trophies to really get Rugby on track.

The Asian Cup...confeds etc are fine...but they are a loooong way behind the prestige, appeal and drawing power of the world cup. As for RU...all it takes is for the Wallebies to start winning again, and for the Socceroos to falter (i.e. not qualify for the 2012 Word Cup), and the tide could turn. A super 15 team in Melbourne taking off would obviously help RU's profile too in the country's second largest city...

Ok you sound like a different person now. Much more interesting response. There will still be things like the Asian Cup and Possibly the Confederations cup bringing over the South American, African and European champions which are big draws. How is Rugby Union is going to regain some forward momentum? I can't see the Wallabies overtaking the Socceroos ever again. It's also become pretty apparent this year Football is always going to be a distant third behind the big two on a week in week out basis domestically.

Hence my previous post...can Australia wait that long? 2022 is still a long way away, but at least we would have the knowledge that Australia is going to host it...and milk that for all its worth. If Australia misses out on 2022 (which I believe they will), then its a loooong time before they award the 2026....could be another decade...and it will be back to the bad old days for the sport in this country. Sure it will always exist of course...soccer exists everywhere...but it will probably give back its spot to Rugby Union and settle back to 4th in order of the football codes.

Lookout James there's a football fan behind you who want's to eat your children!! Run!!! By the way dil Russia is in Europe

Being near the most populates time zone means jack when most of that population is 3rd World. Europe definitely for 2018, followed by USA for 2022 and Russia by 2026. By that time, soccer will no longer exist in this country. And that is the greatest fear of all posters on this thread.

You can probably argue that winning the bid would boast A-league as well. So it is win win. But completely agree with Brian, it is Russia vs England. No bearing on aust's chances for 2022.

man the a-league is not that bad. do some marketting, change your rip off prices in brisbane and listen to your fans then all will be well. and for gods sake change the stupid seating arrangements in the telstra dome

AndrewM - I would love to agree but can't The US have 16 ready-made rectangular stadiums that could host WC games tommorrow. Compare this with the problems the FFA is having with the South Australian and Western Australian govts. The US also has 300m western consumers to support a WC, we have 20m. They're TV times are perfect both for South America (where football is a religion) and more importantly Europe. A 2pm kick-off in the US is prime time viewing in Europe. This is why the 1986 & 1994 WC finals were daytime matches despite the heat. Asian TV influence is growing but the big cash is still in Western Europe. Prime-time in Europe is around 6am in Australia and that cannot be changed. As I said in my post I do agree Russia are competing with England and have no bearing on our chances. In fact FIFA have stipulated that the hosting confederation is inelgible for the next two cups so if its Europe in 2018 and N America in 2022 Asia pprobably will be a shoe in for 2026. A long way off but unfortunately probably our best bet, even then what about China.

Brian, Why are the US raging favorites? Give them 2026 i say. Europe>Asia>NA They already hosted the WC. Russia has massive problems in terms of voilence, regular riots between football fans etc, but isn't russia part of europe? meaning that the race is really between england and russia.. Not Australia... Confederations cannot host back to back WC's. Australia really does sit in the box seat as far as I can see, never having hosted the WC, being in Asia's time zone , the most populated time zone in the world , has to tick all the boxes.

Clearly one of 2018 or 2022 will go to a UEFA acountry be it England, Spain or Russia. I predict England due to the cash FIFA would make but irrespective of who it is not both WC will go to UEFA so Russia's bid has no bearing on Australia's chances for 2022. The 2022 race is between USA, Japan & Australia with the US raging favourites. Incidentlly the Russians biggest impediment is actually their location. FIFA would need to award them a "UEFA" World Cup without easy access for supporters from the football world's heartland of Western Europe.

It's interesting that you note the size of Russia. The vastness of Australia is definately a problem for a WC bid, you can't expect the world to come and then fly between games in Melbourne and Sydney, the infrastructure isn't there for that sort of influx of people but then again, you can't ask them to make a long long long bus ride either. This is probably Russia's biggest negative, being so big there isn't going to be games across the country, that'd be logistically impossible of course but one thing of note which shouldn't be forgotten is Russia's corruption. Supposedly bribes amounting anywhere between 10-20% of their entire GDP change hands each year. It is well known that a lot of deals are done under the table and I wouldn't be surprised if this was an advantage to them. Look at the way Chelsea has been run since Abramovich came in, he sees a problem, he throws money at it until it's no longer a problem, it's an attitude prevalent amongst Russia's super-rich and elite and don't think Messrs Blatter & Beckenbauer won't be looking for some pocket lining.