World Cup 2018 and 2022: Site Selection

[7,052,770]

Any chance of European/Western countries boycotting and holding a separate event altogether in the summer, ala the 1984 Friendship Games?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Any chance of European/Western countries boycotting and holding a separate event altogether in the summer, ala the 1984 Friendship Games?

Doubtful, especially with Platini in charge.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

UEFA is not going to wait until 2034 for the next world cup. Especially as that will mean 28 years without a WC in Western Europe. Not happening.

Oh, it's laughable that FIFA have 'rules' for hosting. A brief look at history would show that they make them up as they go along.

[Keystone Phil]

It absolutely was appropriate for Asia to get the world cup, but Qatar was such a horrible choice.

It's why I was supporting Istanbul for the 2020 Olympics, btw - if Istanbul had gotten the games, it would have shut the door on Doha for at least a couple of decades.

Other than the awful match times, Australia as a host would be fine. Qatar was obviously a godawful choice.

Well and it being another Winter World Cup. I really don't like that.

[Platypus]

Sydney is hardly Joburg. Average July temp is mid to high teens for pretty much every Australian city, I think? Bit higher in Perth and Brisbane, maybe, and cold nights in Canberra. Still, that's an Irish summer.

[morgieb]

Sydney is hardly Joburg. Average July temp is mid to high teens for pretty much every Australian city, I think? Bit higher in Perth and Brisbane, maybe, and cold nights in Canberra. Still, that's an Irish summer.

Darwin and Townsville are mid to high 20's, if they count as cities

Hobart and Canberra (because of the altitude) would be low teens you'd think.

[Keystone Phil]

This crisis in Ukraine may provide the opportunity to get the 2018 World Cup moved. Senators Kirk and Coats have written a letter to Blatter, urging him to strip Russia of hosting rights - http://www.beinsports.tv/news/article/s1oji2fyne6a195txu97ob7df/title/us-senators-sepp-blatter-fifa-world-cup-2014-2018

[Icehand Gino]

FIFA did not strip Argentina from hosting rights in 1978.
FIFA awarded 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

It would be pretty naive to think they will move the World Cup this time.

The only comparable instance was exclusion of Yugoslavia from Euro 1992 but it was under United Nations Security Council Resolution 757 and we all know that Russia will never be punished by Security Council for obvious reasons.

[Platypus]

I actually have no real problem with Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup.

Just fricking Qatar.

[Хahar 🤔]

Colombia was stripped of the 1986 World Cup eight full years after receiving it, so there is precedent.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Colombia was stripped of the 1986 World Cup eight full years after receiving it, so there is precedent.

They weren't stripped, they voluntarily pulled out IIRC.

Of course, it's highly unlikely that Russia will be stripped of hosting. At the bare minimum they aren't using literal slave labor in stadium construction.

[Keystone Phil]

Colombia was stripped of the 1986 World Cup eight full years after receiving it, so there is precedent.

They weren't stripped, they voluntarily pulled out IIRC.

If only another Colombian had done the same...

[Thomas D]

So, Anything new going on with this?

[Keystone Phil]

So, Anything new going on with this?

Funny you ask that since there was this news today, posted elsewhere - http://m.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27654587

[nolesfan2011]

the low countries and South Korea get my vote. Low countries have good football history and current status (both Belgium and Holland are good teams with good fanbases), plus it's in the center of Europe which brings in the English,French, German, Italian and other fans. Additionally their economies and such are stable.

South Korea did a good job in 2002 co hosting and Asian football is growing (South Korea being one of the better Asian teams), Japan has the overpopulation and Fukashima radiation issues along with economy stagnant and Australia doesn't seem to be enough of a footballing nation yet to host (though they would be my second choice).

USA is generic and boring, England same thing, Spain is broke, Russia and Qatar are awful and corrupt and that would be rewarding despots and bribery.

[Platypus]

Australia is the obvious choice. Same confederation, hasn't hosted before, and would only have to build one stadium and upgrade two to three. Has the hotel rooms, heaps of experience hosting large international sporting events, and has qualified for the world cup for three in a row and there's every reason to assume we'll qualify for 2018 as well, so while soccer isn't our primary sport we do have enough strength to not be too much of a WTF choice.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Anything is going to be refreshing after Qatar.  I'm..... not a fan of the Middle East or anything about that wretched corner of the globe. 

[minionofmidas]

Also the AFC would go batsh**t if it was stripped from Qatar, and doubly batsh**t if it was taken outside of Western Asia and triply batsh**t if it was taken outside of the AFC.

Who cares? Literally one AFC member has made it to a World Cup semifinal, and they were hosting!

"...and they were hosting/cheating!" is what you meant.

Sadly, this won't be reversed. Listen, we all know the U.S. is the country that deserves to host the 2022 tournament but it just isn't going to happen at this point.

What did we ever do to deserve having that foisted on us again so soon?  As it is we'll probably get stuck with 2026.

Oh, little things like having world class stadiums have a little something to do with it.

Ever since getting screwed over for 2022, I've been pessimistic/paranoid about 2026. You watch: they'll somehow award it to Mexico or, more realistically, Canada. Just watch.

In the spirit of 2022, they should go for the Caymans.

[RodPresident]

I doubt that FIFA in current standards will give it to Belgium and Netherlands. People in that countries can have a similar reaction, like in Brazil. They wouldn't like to deal with Blatter and Valcke. 2026 would be good to be in North America (USA or Mexico). 2030, centennial cup would be good placed on a comeback to Africa, maybe in Morocco or in a post-El Sisi's democratical Egypt. If in Europe, England would make a great choice. In 2034, go back to Asia, on China or India.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

In the spirit of 2022, they should go for the Caymans.

Followed by one in the Channel Islands, perhaps? Maybe as part of a joint bid with Monaco and the Isle of Man.

[Lief 🗽]

The Channel Islands (and Isle of Man) already have their own international football tournament, thank you very much: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_Island_Games

[Keystone Phil]

It's being reported that, as I predicted and feared, Canada will bid for the 2026 World Cup.

And something I realized just the other day: the U.S. will be in the midst of our 250th birthday celebration when the Quarters or Semis are taking place unless the time frame for the tournament is adjusted. I originally thought that could help our bid but it might be seen as way too much of a distraction.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

How likely is it that Russia loses the World Cup at this point due to international sanctions?

[King]

FIFA won't take it away. Russia might have to concede it if they can't afford it, though.

[Hatman 🍁]

It's being reported that, as I predicted and feared, Canada will bid for the 2026 World Cup.

And something I realized just the other day: the U.S. will be in the midst of our 250th birthday celebration when the Quarters or Semis are taking place unless the time frame for the tournament is adjusted. I originally thought that could help our bid but it might be seen as way too much of a distraction.

Hey, it's the only way we can qualify!

I think next year's Women's World Cup will be critical to our chances. Any time we've hosted a FIFA tournament, it has been a great success, so it it makes sense for Canada to host on that front.