Blatter setting the stage for USA 2014?
FIFA President Sepp Blatter (Bloefeld) has been quoted as saying that Brazil is not assured of getting the 2014 World Cup and if South America is not able to handle the tournament, then FIFA will look north.
"'We have said that the 2014 World Cup will be staged in South America, but if there is no candidate strong enough then we would go north instead as the logical thing,' Blatter told a media conference following a two-day meeting of FIFA's executive committee." - ESPNsoccernet.com
So does this actually mean that FIFA would look at the USA as hosting the event? Not really, in my eyes at least. Mexico could be considered as well for the tournament. If they are to consider moving north to CONCACAF, I would think that the USA would be the one they choose for several reasons.
1. Mexico has already hosted the tournament twice and I think that before FIFA grants anyone a third time around, they would most likely grant Italy or Germany that honor. Having hosted the event in 1986 also hurts their chances.
2. When the event was held in the USA in 1994, FIFA made the most revenue of any tournament, more than the 2006 tournament, if I am not mistaken. Granted the same problem affects the USA of just recently hosting the event, but FIFA might be more interested in those large $$$ than anything else.
3. With the state of the Euro (which could be anything in 2014) more Europeans might be able to afford the cost of travel here, so it would entice more fans to make the trip across the pond.
All in all, I really don't think what Bloefeld has said really amounts to crap. He was most likely just trying to hear his voice again. However, as I have said before, with the current FIFA regulations regarding who can host a World Cup, I do not think that Brazil will be able to fiscally meet those regulations, nor do I think they should. FIFA, through its new standards, are pricing the developing nations out of the hosting race.
"'We have said that the 2014 World Cup will be staged in South America, but if there is no candidate strong enough then we would go north instead as the logical thing,' Blatter told a media conference following a two-day meeting of FIFA's executive committee." - ESPNsoccernet.com
So does this actually mean that FIFA would look at the USA as hosting the event? Not really, in my eyes at least. Mexico could be considered as well for the tournament. If they are to consider moving north to CONCACAF, I would think that the USA would be the one they choose for several reasons.
1. Mexico has already hosted the tournament twice and I think that before FIFA grants anyone a third time around, they would most likely grant Italy or Germany that honor. Having hosted the event in 1986 also hurts their chances.
2. When the event was held in the USA in 1994, FIFA made the most revenue of any tournament, more than the 2006 tournament, if I am not mistaken. Granted the same problem affects the USA of just recently hosting the event, but FIFA might be more interested in those large $$$ than anything else.
3. With the state of the Euro (which could be anything in 2014) more Europeans might be able to afford the cost of travel here, so it would entice more fans to make the trip across the pond.
All in all, I really don't think what Bloefeld has said really amounts to crap. He was most likely just trying to hear his voice again. However, as I have said before, with the current FIFA regulations regarding who can host a World Cup, I do not think that Brazil will be able to fiscally meet those regulations, nor do I think they should. FIFA, through its new standards, are pricing the developing nations out of the hosting race.
posted by Brian at 5:21 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home