The U.S. Soccer Federation has named David Downs, a former president of Univision Sports, as executive director of the USA World Cup bid committee. The appointment comes on the same day that USSF president Sunil Gulati declared that the United States has expressed its desire to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
Gulati will serve as chair of the Bid Commitee, with U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn, MLS commissioner Don Garber and Phil Murphy, the former National Finance chair of the Democratic National Committee serving as the initial members of the committee.
The United States joins a group of ten candidates vying to host the 2018 World Cup, a group that includes England, Spain/Portugal, Mexico, Russia and Australia.
What do you think of this development? Do you like the USA's chances of winning the bid for 2018? Does 2022 seem more feasible? Surprised to see Mexico bidding?
Share your thoughts below.
USA- 2018!! 9 more years!
England is supposed to get the worst of this recession/depression. USA will contract 1.8% next year, England 2.8%.
I read that England will be feeling the effects for the next 20 years.
LMAO…Canada will never get it. Stop dreaming.
You also need to actually qualify on your own. FIFA does not give automatic bids anymore.
Stil…LOL…Cananda
hokieunited a little strange to say it must be in Asia in 2022, it was there in ’02. Considering how anglo-centric FIFA is, it will most certainly be England in ’18 and USA deserves it for ’22
Posted by: EJ | February 02, 2009 at 07:32 PM
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Sorry, I am not trying to insinuate that it is a done deal, and will be awarded to someone in Asia automatically.
I was just trying to play the devil’s advocate, and point out a possible argument to why the WC might be in Asia in 2022. I just think that the powers at FIFA might use the argument that the last time the games would have been held in Asia would be 2002, whereas the last time in the Americas it would have been 2014.
Just a possible argument I see coming from those who are going to be voting on it in the future.
But, I obviously do want it to be here, no doubt. However, if we don’t get it in 2022, I see us as maybe an automatic choice in 2026, if the 2022 one is in Asia.
I honestly think the U.S. has a weak chance in 2018 but a GREAT chance in 2022. With 2010 in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil, I really can’t see Fifa keeping the World Cup out of Europe for three consecutive tournaments. I’m a huge US Soccer fan and I would be ecstatic for the tournament to be held on our home soil. I think our chances for 2018 might depend on how South Africa and Brazil do. Both countries have weak infrastructure and South Africa has continously been behind schedule during the preperation process. If the tournaments aren’t huge successes, FIFA might want to bring it back to a country like England where the infrastructure is there, especially public transportation which is one reason why Germany was such a successful site…that being said USA 94 was the most attended World Cup ever and without a doubt, we have the infrastructure to hold the event despite the large size of the country (however that would probably be the only negative aspect FIFA could attach to a US bid…it takes three hours by train to get from one side of Germany to the other but three hours by train just to get from Boston to New York…as for the idea of hosting it in Canada…that is absolute ridicously…while the countries fan following is growing…you can’t be serious about the venues…the sky dome is a baseball stadium adn BMO field is only 25,000…the minimum is 40,000…that is what would make the US such a great place…it would without a doubt once again surpass USA 94 as the highest attended World Cup, the average attendance would most definately be in the high 60,000’s…Off the bat, i think some possible host cities would have to be New York (Giants Stadium), Boston (Gillete), DC (FedEX Field), Houston (reliant), Dallas (new cowboys stadium), phoenix (U OF P stadium), Chicago (soldier field), Southern Cal (the rose bowl), Seattle (Qwest Field)…
TFC the minimum stadium size is 40k and 60k for the final.
In the USA we have dozens at 60k+ and a few in the 100k area.
if the economy tanks even furthur we get 2022.
We have the Stadia already in place.
hokieunited a little strange to say it must be in Asia in 2022, it was there in ’02. Considering how anglo-centric FIFA is, it will most certainly be England in ’18 and USA deserves it for ’22
I think Canada should get it before the US, you guys had it in ’94. Although; I guess we did just have the U-20 world cup…
Obviously, I understand the US’s side of the argument, in terms of the financial, marketing, population, and venue related aspects.
My question is how many stadiums do you need to have? I would think that by 2018, we could have (with grass)
-BMO field (expanded to 30-35,000)
-BC place
-Sky Dome
-Saputo stadium (Upgraded to 25,000)
and then some…
meh, wishful thinking i guess.
I don’t see the US getting either, unfortunately.
I really do think that the first will go to England. To me, that seems a given.
But I think the 2022 one will go to someone in Asia, most likely Australia. I think one of the arguments might be the fact that 2014 was held in Brazil, which is close enough to North America.
But I am still holding out hope. I really want it to be here.
I had no idea they wouldn’t allow joint countries. It seemed like the only chance for the Benelux countries. For sure 2018 will head to England and maybe they will have direct competition from Spain or Russia.2022 will be ours with direct competition from Australia.
Now what about 2026. I think Qatar could have that 1.
I hoping Mexico gets 2022, unlike most of you here I’m not as well off. Going down to Mexico would cost me 250 by plane and 100 by car. Plus 100 dollar for 5 star hotel stay with cheap food and beer. Have you guys seen the new stadiums being built? They look like the German ones, check out the Monterrey Stadium. If the US gets it I’ll be happy too but it just means more money for travel and expenses.
2018 is going to England, almost without question in my book.
2022 is a race between the US and Australia, in my book, with Qatar being the dark horse.
I hope that we focus on the correct of the two bids, 2022, and that we don’t waste time/resources/focus by looking at 2018.
I can’t see anyone getting the 2022 WC ahead of the USA, but of the others Australia seems like a venerable challenger.
It should be in concacaf to begin with if that crook blatter wouldn’t have stopped before the full cycle. I hope we get 2018 but if not 2022 is good too.
The United States will get one of these spots, absolutely no doubt. I think it is just a matter of which one and who gets the other.
FIFA cannot turn down a host with such economic clout that has a over 30 60,000+ stadia in every major market. they can’t ignore another attempt to swing big american money over to the world game.
As for the other, sepp isn’t interested in joint bids, so it looks like England or Russia, Australia or Japan as the other. I can’t see it going anywhere but England.
NATO, I suspect China doesn’t have much of a shot, especially considering they haven’t bothered to bid.
It won’t be Spain/Portugal because FIFA has stated it would not accept joint country bids, so it will either be Spain or Portugal or neither.
Honestly I would be down with England in 2018 then here in 2022. England hasnt had the World Cup since 1966 which would be a 52 year gap. We had it in 94 so we can wait I guess until 2022
2018- England
2022- USA
2018
England has a supreme chance of handling it. They haven’t had it in nearly 50years by that time.
Spain/Portugal together should easily win it.
Russia has a great chance but i doubt it same as Australia.
China would only be picked to capitalise on the population and grow the sport there.
We need to grab a hold of 2022.
Focus on 2022. England or Spain/Portugal will have 2018. I think the USA or Australia or China stand the best chances for 2022. And by that time MLS will be much better improved and it will be an easy decision.
Mexico wants to bid to not be left behind. They see the money to be made up north.
We’re due whether it’s 2018 or 2022. It will come down to whether or not FIFA wan’t to make money or BIG money.