Has FIFA President Sepp Blatter confirmed what we all should have expected? In a press conference in Madrid, Blatter has given his strongest hint yet that the World Cup is destined for a return to Europe in 2018, which would leave Australia with only 2022 as a possibility.
“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 to the press in the Spanish capital.
“There is a movement at the moment among the various candidates that in the end it would be a good solution … if the candidates for 2018 would only be those from Europe.
”It’s not been finally decided but it’s the idea, also to make the work of FIFA easier and especially that of the executive committee.”
Blatter’s comments sent shockwaves across cyberspace on Australia Day. Fox Sports ran the headline: “Australia’s World Cup bid doomed”, seemingly forgetting the bidding process involves the 2022 tournament as well.
The proposal would need the majority of votes of the FIFA Executive, and it’s hard to gauge what the response will be from the other confederations to this free-kick for UEFA.
While many expected European nations, namely England, Russia, Belgium-Netherlands and Portugal-Spain, to be favourites for 2018 considering the tournament would have bypassed Europe for the previous two events – South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 – the audacity of FIFA to try and change the rules so late in the bidding process to guarantee European success doesn’t do much for the credibility of football’s governing body.
It adds another sorry chapter to the messy World Cup bidding process with the plan to rotate between confederations eventually scrapped and the dual bidding process for two World Cups seemingly causing much consternation – unnecessarily confusing an already heavily political process.
Although many Aussies considered 2022 as the countries best bet in the bidding process, FIFA’s political maneuverings will do little to endear them or the tournament to the many Australians who are skeptical of the World Cup on our shores, be it as a result of the controversy regarding accommodating the AFL and NRL seasons into the World Cup schedule, the ongoing question marks surrounding suitable stadiums and who would foot the bill for much needed developments in infrastructure.
The Australian bid couldn’t afford too much bad publicity, with the war of words with the other codes overshadowing the bidding process itself of late, and FIFA’s latest move will only do more damage on the publicity front.
It is a bitter blow to the FFA and Frank Lowy, the latter maintaining his stance that Australia was a contender for 2018, not to mention the fact he’ll be 92-years-old in 2022 and could be cruelly denied the chance to witness the World Cup in Australia.
If we assume 2018 is booked for Europe then, and European countries are ruled out from the 2022 running, it sets up Australia and the USA as the main combatants with Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Indonesia as the outsiders for 2022.
We’ll wait and see what FIFA does next.
But we can be even more confident now in saying the 2018 tournament is destined for Europe, and our eyes will be on 2022.
PRSancho
Guest
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.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
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.
Marshall
Guest
Sport is often used by politicians as an escape from politics. Watch Obama and the US make a serious play for 2022
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
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.
Digital TV - meh
Guest
Heard of Iraq? Afghanistan? Things like that - they aren't that popular around the world you know.
westy
Guest
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.
Cpaaa 2018
Guest
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
george
Guest
Its always amazing how the boys at the top get away with things like this .
jimbo
Guest
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.
Tifosi
Guest
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."
Victer
Guest
not one of them has a chance anyway i do not know why they are bothering to bid
hazza
Guest
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.
pimbo
Guest
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.
george
Guest
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 .
pimbo
Guest
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.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
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."
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
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.
Mick
Guest
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
Kazama
Roar Guru
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...
MV Dave
Guest
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.