intedomine
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
Surprised there isn't already a thread on this. It has to have been the most exciting thing happening in world sport these past 3 weeks or so.
2018
England
Spain/Portugal
Russia
Benelux
2022
Australia
Japan
South Korea
Qatar
USA
The announcement is to be made on 2 December (the day between the two Melbourne U2 gigs - so exciting times for me) and it's been an intense political struggle.
The bids by Japan and South Korea seem unlikely, mainly due to the relative recency of their joint hosting of the tournament back in '02.
Benelux isn't being given much chance, and this is really only attributable to the strength of the three other Europeans bids.
I'm very concerned that Qatar might snare 2022, which would be a disgrace to football. Could there be a more undeserving host, with their small area and population and lack of any credible footballing heritage. It would be a real shame, despite their harping on about sending their stadiums to underdeveloped third world nations after the tournament ends.
Australia will have the support of Blatter methinks, as he is close with Lowy and it would be a pretty strong legacy of his presidency to have brought the World Cup to each and every continent during his reign. I may be biased, but we surely deserve it, and while some will whinge about how awkward our timezone is for fans in Europe and the Americas, our matches will be pretty accessible to viewers in the burgeoning Asian markets like China, India and Japan. Surely this will offset the loss of media/advertising revenue that Qatar and the USA may bring.
The USA will host a bloody good tournament with their impressive infrastructure, yet 1994 is too recent, and they'll be in good stead to have another tilt at 2030/2034. China will almost certainly host 2026 if USA host 2022.
My wish:
2018 Russia
2022 Australia
2018
England
Spain/Portugal
Russia
Benelux
2022
Australia
Japan
South Korea
Qatar
USA
The announcement is to be made on 2 December (the day between the two Melbourne U2 gigs - so exciting times for me) and it's been an intense political struggle.
The bids by Japan and South Korea seem unlikely, mainly due to the relative recency of their joint hosting of the tournament back in '02.
Benelux isn't being given much chance, and this is really only attributable to the strength of the three other Europeans bids.
I'm very concerned that Qatar might snare 2022, which would be a disgrace to football. Could there be a more undeserving host, with their small area and population and lack of any credible footballing heritage. It would be a real shame, despite their harping on about sending their stadiums to underdeveloped third world nations after the tournament ends.
Australia will have the support of Blatter methinks, as he is close with Lowy and it would be a pretty strong legacy of his presidency to have brought the World Cup to each and every continent during his reign. I may be biased, but we surely deserve it, and while some will whinge about how awkward our timezone is for fans in Europe and the Americas, our matches will be pretty accessible to viewers in the burgeoning Asian markets like China, India and Japan. Surely this will offset the loss of media/advertising revenue that Qatar and the USA may bring.
The USA will host a bloody good tournament with their impressive infrastructure, yet 1994 is too recent, and they'll be in good stead to have another tilt at 2030/2034. China will almost certainly host 2026 if USA host 2022.
My wish:
2018 Russia
2022 Australia